View Full Version : News New stadium plans off the table as GC17 puts its case
Cosmo Kramer
14 Oct 2008, 07:28
New stadium plans off the table as GC17 puts its case
Damian Barrett | October 14, 2008 12:00am
THE AFL has all but abandoned plans for a new Gold Coast stadium, instead focusing on a redevelopment of the derelict Carrara.
After setting out this time last year to secure at least $200 million, and possibly $300 million, in funding for the home ground of the new Gold Coast team, the AFL has managed to find just $20 million - all of it from the local council.
The AFL remains hopeful the Queensland and Federal governments will contribute financially to a Carrara upgrade.
But those bodies are yet to commit to funding, with the State Government still weighed down by a contract it has signed with the AFL that bans matches being played on the Gold Coast by a Gold Coast-based team until 2016.
Kevin Rudd's Federal Government has been lobbied recently by the AFL about a financial pledge.
The Gold Coast council on Friday voted to double its support, from $10 million to $20 million, for the AFL's stadium pursuits, provided the venue was Carrara.
The AFL had ideally wanted a much more public transport-friendly site, and projects at nearby Nerang and Helensvale had been analysed.
In Melbourne yesterday, the GC17 consortium made its final pitch to the AFL Commission for the Gold Coast-based licence.
GC17 chairman John Witheriff, director Graeme Downie and coach Guy McKenna left the commissioners a 400-page document.
"It was a very impressive presentation and it is clear that GC17 has done an enormous amount of work over the past six months to build strong community and business support for an AFL team," AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said.
"The commission will now test, analyse and validate the GC17 submission and business models and will be doing that over the coming weeks."
GC17 believes it has met all criteria set by the AFL and hopes to be part of the competition for the 2011 season.
The planned phased redevelopment of Carrara is expected to boost the stadium's capacity to 27,000.
Plans include increasing that figure to 40,000.
Resolving the stadium issue for use by the Gold Coast team is the responsibility of the AFL, not GC17.
The AFL last year failed to deliver on that project when it tried to entice North Melbourne to relocate to the Gold Coast.
The global financial crisis could have an impact on the GC17 bid, with AFL commissioners now analysing its pitch against the backdrop of the economic slump.
The Gold Coast's two major investment management firms, MFS and City Pacific, and major developer Raptis, have endured high-profile financial problems this year. Downie was recently appointed to the City Pacific board as an independent, non-executive director.
The future of former West Coast captain Ben Cousins was also discussed at yesterday's commission meeting.
Cousins, suspended by the commission for a year for behavioural problems associated with substance abuse, is seeking re-registration, with the commission to determine his fate next month.
The 2005 Brownlow medallist is being considered for drafting by St Kilda, Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.
Thoughts? I would have thought from all I have read that this is not a positive as basically there were better sites being proposed in terms of being located closer to Brisbane, also in terms of being located closer/in the growth areas of the GC and most importantly near effective/mass public transport.
Funkalicous
14 Oct 2008, 08:26
Yeah I'm not really happy with Carrara. It's difficult to get there no matter the mode of transport. A new stadium in Helensvale would link up with the tram lines and keep the distance from Brisbane to an absolute minimum. - It would've been perfect. Hopefully they'll reconsider it once they get proper funding.
tigersfan11
14 Oct 2008, 08:42
Well it is a bit unusual, a new stadium would definitly be better one closer than Carrara.
I really hope the new Gold Coast team works.
Subprime
14 Oct 2008, 08:52
Meh... wasn't this guy was writing last week that GC17 was going to be canned due to the share market slump?
As for the stadium, in an ideal world I'm sure the AFL would love to have a plot of land right next to a train station but they haven't got that. Instead they have is a council owned site and $20m of funding from the council. The state and federal governments will likely kick in too. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Meh... wasn't this guy was writing last week that GC17 was going to be canned due to the share market slump?
As for the stadium, in an ideal world I'm sure the AFL would love to have a plot of land right next to a train station but they haven't got that. Instead they have is a council owned site and $20m of funding from the council. The state and federal governments will likely kick in too. Rome wasn't built in a day.
true
campbell
14 Oct 2008, 11:09
Meh... wasn't this guy was writing last week that GC17 was going to be canned due to the share market slump?
As for the stadium, in an ideal world I'm sure the AFL would love to have a plot of land right next to a train station but they haven't got that. Instead they have is a council owned site and $20m of funding from the council. The state and federal governments will likely kick in too. Rome wasn't built in a day.
exactly.
fairdinkum
14 Oct 2008, 12:46
Meh... wasn't this guy was writing last week that GC17 was going to be canned due to the share market slump?
As for the stadium, in an ideal world I'm sure the AFL would love to have a plot of land right next to a train station but they haven't got that. Instead they have is a council owned site and $20m of funding from the council. The state and federal governments will likely kick in too. Rome wasn't built in a day.
I don't think the Romans ever claimed they would build Rome in a day. Bit of a difference, I would have thought.
Subprime
14 Oct 2008, 12:51
I don't think the Romans ever claimed they would build Rome in a day. Bit of a difference, I would have thought.
James Brayshaw made some claims last year, have they all happened?
fairdinkum
14 Oct 2008, 13:15
James Brayshaw made some claims last year, have they all happened?
Pathetic attempt to divert attention, but I expected no better. Anyway, I'll play along...
In answer to your question, no - not all have happened. The White Knights never came through.
BUT we got 32,000 paid-up members (more than he ever promised), a quality CEO and new sponsors worth millions of dollars.
What have the AFL delivered? Let's have a look.
*Find new land to build a new stadium? No.
*Get out of QLD government 2015 agreement? No.
*Get the private dollars required to build/upgrade stadium? No.
*Get the government to chuck in some money to build new stadium? No.
Come to think of it, what have the AFL actually gotten right so far? Anything? At all?
campbell
14 Oct 2008, 13:18
How many of those members will be there this season. How many were pity members from other clubs supporters? I wonde rif they will take the opportunity to have a GC membership this year as their 2nd membership, so they can have a holiday and see their team play with membership benefits?
Subprime
14 Oct 2008, 13:32
Pathetic attempt to divert attention, but I expected no better. Anyway, I'll play along...
In answer to your question, no - not all have happened. The White Knights never came through.
BUT we got 32,000 paid-up members (more than he ever promised), a quality CEO and new sponsors worth millions of dollars.
What have the AFL delivered? Let's have a look.
*Find new land to build a new stadium? No.
*Get out of QLD government 2015 agreement? No.
*Get the private dollars required to build/upgrade stadium? No.
*Get the government to chuck in some money to build new stadium? No.
Come to think of it, what have the AFL actually gotten right so far? Anything? At all?
If the AFL choose to upgrade Carrara they don't need to find any other land. However they may as well assess all the options before making that decision.
The Qld government has stated that the Gold Coast side will be able to play most of its games on the coast so the Gabba agreement is no longer an issue.
The funding arrangements, both public and private, haven't been finalised as far as I know. The federal government has indicated they will put in money (there is a thread on this board on that topic). I'd imagine the state government will do the same given their bid for the 2018 Commonwealth games relies on having a stadium that can accomodate an athletics track.
We also know that the GCCC is prepared to put in the land at Carrara (valued at $30m) and another $20m in cash if a redevelopment of that facility is the final choice.
fairdinkum
14 Oct 2008, 13:34
How many of those members will be there this season. How many were pity members from other clubs supporters? I wonde rif they will take the opportunity to have a GC membership this year as their 2nd membership, so they can have a holiday and see their team play with membership benefits?
Is that you, cos789?
Why is that you trumpet 42,000 unpaid web sign-ups as a feat, yet dismiss 32,000 paid-up members as an anomaly?
Anyway, I'm not here to get into petty debates with petty people. I wasted enough time last year doing that and so far it seems that I was 100% right and the AFL apologists 100% wrong.
Good luck to GC17 - the league would be far better off with a successful GC team than with another failure.
fairdinkum
14 Oct 2008, 13:41
If the AFL choose to upgrade Carrara they don't need to find any other land. However they may as well assess all the options before making that decision.
And why would they 'choose' to upgrade Carrara, given how bad even AFL apologists acknowledge that it is?
The Qld government has stated that the Gold Coast side will be able to play most of its games on the coast so the Gabba agreement is no longer an issue.
IIRC, shortly after it was announced that the QLD gov had released AFL from the agreement, the QLD gov came out and reinstated that the AFL will have to make concessions of its own to weasel out. If those concessions have been officially agreed to, I'd appreciate a link.
The funding arrangements, both public and private, haven't been finalised as far as I know. The federal government has indicated they will put in money (there is a thread on this board on that topic). I'd imagine the state government will do the same given their bid for the 2018 Commonwealth games relies on having a stadium that can accomodate an athletics track.
Again, this is all speculation on your part. The same sort of speculation you were churning out 12 months ago. Not a single piece of concrete progress has been made by the AFL since.
We also know that the GCCC is prepared to put in the land at Carrara (valued at $30m) and another $20m in cash if a redevelopment of that facility is the final choice.
How far will 20 mil get you? There would be houses around that part of the country worth almost as much as that!
Subprime
14 Oct 2008, 13:59
And why would they 'choose' to upgrade Carrara, given how bad even AFL apologists acknowledge that it is?
IIRC, shortly after it was announced that the QLD gov had released AFL from the agreement, the QLD gov came out and reinstated that the AFL will have to make concessions of its own to weasel out. If those concessions have been officially agreed to, I'd appreciate a link.
Again, this is all speculation on your part. The same sort of speculation you were churning out 12 months ago. Not a single piece of concrete progress has been made by the AFL since.
How far will 20 mil get you? There would be houses around that part of the country worth almost as much as that!
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/afl/story/0,27009,24183220-5016140,00.html
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502547&highlight=bligh
fairdinkum
14 Oct 2008, 14:02
"The AFL will still have to do a deal on its 2015 contract."
Your links do not provide anything of any substance to back up your belief that the government will tip any money into the GC exercise.
Subprime
14 Oct 2008, 14:09
"The AFL will still have to do a deal on its 2015 contract."
Your links do not provide anything of any substance to back up your belief that the government will tip any money into the GC exercise.
Well that's how I read it. The original deal on the Gabba was for all games to be played there if a second SEQ side was introduced prior to 2015. This statement is saying something else:
"We expect them to meet their obligations under an agreement they made with the Queensland Government that a second team will play some games at the Gabba until 2015," she said.
"That doesn't mean that there isn't scope for a long-term plan over five to six years to develop a new stadium."
PumpyChowdown
14 Oct 2008, 14:13
Helensvale or Nerang would have been perfect. Slightly closer to the 'burbs, closer to Brisbane, right off the M1 and right next to the train line.
Carrara is just too.....Carrara.
CoastBhoy
14 Oct 2008, 15:55
Helensvale or Nerang would have been perfect. Slightly closer to the 'burbs, closer to Brisbane, right off the M1 and right next to the train line.
Carrara is just too.....Carrara.
Yep not a big fan of Carrara , but if that is what it is got to be , so be it .
Helensvale or Nerang would have been perfect. Slightly closer to the 'burbs, closer to Brisbane, right off the M1 and right next to the train line.
Carrara is just too.....Carrara.
Yes, Nerang is so much closer to Brisbane than Carrara. :rolleyes:
PumpyChowdown
14 Oct 2008, 23:49
Yes, Nerang is so much closer to Brisbane than Carrara. :rolleyes:
Would be quicker and much easier to get to though.
Chasing the Dream
16 Oct 2008, 09:51
Anyway, I'm not here to get into petty debates with petty people.
Please explain why you are here then?
fairdinkum
17 Oct 2008, 09:51
Please explain why you are here then?
To have interesting and intellectual discussion with those capable of partaking.
CoastBhoy
17 Oct 2008, 13:53
To have interesting and intellectual discussion with those capable of partaking.
Mate you have no interest in partaking in any discussion related in the Gold Coast FC , your only agenda here is to denigrate or belittle any supporter or anything related to this club .
fairdinkum
17 Oct 2008, 15:23
Mate you have no interest in partaking in any discussion related in the Gold Coast FC , your only agenda here is to denigrate or belittle any supporter or anything related to this club .
It's unfortunate that you feel that way.
I can assure you that I would love to see the GC do well. For one thing, I love Aussie Rules footy. More importantly, my club has a vested interest in seeing the GC be successful, since the AFL is investing such a huge proportion of its resources in the exercise.
What may seem to you to be an 'agenda' to denigrate and belittle is in fact an honest effort from me to show some balance on this issue. There are people on this board who were claiming almost 12 months ago that within weeks stadium deals would be reached, agreements made etc etc. A year on and they are still making the same claims. Surely it is not such a bad thing that these people be shown up for the fools they are?
CoastBhoy
17 Oct 2008, 16:15
What may seem to you to be an 'agenda' to denigrate and belittle is in fact an honest effort from me to show some balance on this issue. There are people on this board who were claiming almost 12 months ago that within weeks stadium deals would be reached, agreements made etc etc. A year on and they are still making the same claims. Surely it is not such a bad thing that these people be shown up for the fools they are?
Who ??? I have'nt read on this board a stadium deal has been reached , and if they had they probably read it in the paper , how does that make someone a fool??
fairdinkum
17 Oct 2008, 17:18
Who ??? I have'nt read on this board a stadium deal has been reached , and if they had they probably read it in the paper , how does that make someone a fool??
Were you around to read the stuff people were writing this time last year? :confused:
Subprime
17 Oct 2008, 19:19
Were you around to read the stuff people were writing this time last year? :confused:
Links?
fairdinkum
17 Oct 2008, 21:17
Links?
You could start here (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=58&order=desc&page=30).
hot_pies81
17 Oct 2008, 22:28
You could start here (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=58&order=desc&page=30).
Could you please be a bit more specific? I skimmed through the ones I thought were relevant but was unable to find any articles.
On the whole Carrara thing, though it might not be anyones first choice other than the GCCC, it is our only option at the moment. I agree that Helensvale would have been perfect, however:
1) Nerang Train station is about 2.5-3km from Carrara Stadium and shuttle busses will run back and forth prior to and after games, much as they currently do from South Bank Station to the GABBA or Suncorp Stadium
2) Busses currently go down Broadbeach-Nerang Road every fifteen minutes or so. Hardly poor public transport. Also, there is no confirmation of this, but extending the rapid transit system from Broadbeach to Nerang is one way the GCCC can improve public transport from Pacific Fair to Nerang Station and would go straight past Carrara Stadium
3) There is currently enough parking to service the people that will be driving and plently of room to slap down some more bitumen if required
4) The stigma attached to Carrara has a great deal to do with the association people have with it from the "Bad-News Bears" days. The playing surface is immaculate, the stadium has great potential and over time can be reinvented and be something all Gold Coasters can be proud of.
Subprime
18 Oct 2008, 09:40
You could start here (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=58&order=desc&page=30).
Do you have anything in particular? Or not?