Three Sunshine Coast sporting venues have been given the green light to progress to tender following a funding commitment of $304 million by the State and Federal Governments.
The funding is the largest ever investment in community sporting infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast.
A $148 million Sunshine Coast Stadium expansion, a $142 million new Indoor Sports Centre in Kawana and a $14 million Mountain Bike Centre at Parklands are on track to be delivered in 2027.
Construction of the Sunshine Coast Stadium Expansion is planned to start later this year.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said funding for the three sporting venues would be a game-changer for the region and a direct and welcome result of our role as Co-Host City of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Today’s funding announcement follows years of research and planning and will deliver lasting economic and social benefits before, during and after hosting the Games,” Mayor Natoli said.
“The validation process the projects went through, including independent panel reviews, was extensive and demonstrated the importance of these venues for our region.
“These venues will provide high-quality competition and training facilities for our local athletes, increase participation in sports and recreation across the region, and will have capacity to host major sporting events.
“That, in turn, attracts more tourism dollars which benefits our local businesses and their staff.
“I want to be very clear – these venues are being built for our community.
“They will provide a place to train, to play, to watch our favourite teams and to cheer on our kids from the sidelines.
“Importantly, these venues will be leading-edge in accessibility to accommodate the many para-sports, athletes and spectators in our region.”
Mayor Natoli acknowledged Queensland and Australian government support was critical for venues of this size, boasting state-of-the-art facilities and accessibility, to be delivered on the Sunshine Coast.
“With eight years to go to Brisbane 2032, I am thrilled that we are already seeing amazing outcomes for our community, and we will continue to work very hard to maximise every opportunity afforded to the Sunshine Coast as a result of the games,” Mayor Natoli said.
“We’ve waited a very long time for the Sunshine Coast Stadium to be expanded. Construction of this venue is on track to start later this year, creating an estimated 650 jobs.”
The planning and design phase of the Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre and Mountain Bike Centre will continue to progress, with construction of those two venues proposed to start in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
The Sunshine Coast Council will assume ownership and management of the three venues once complete.
Fast facts:
Sunshine Coast Stadium Expansion:
The expansion will deliver additional seating, taking total fixed seating capacity to more than 10,500. By utilising the mounds at the northern and southern ends, the stadium will have a total capacity of approximately 14,500.
Additional temporary seating will be installed to boost the total seating capacity to 20,000 to accommodate the Olympic soccer matches.
Early works will include the demolition of the western grandstand in 2024. Construction is planned to start in 2025 and is due for completion in 2027.
$148 million has been primarily funded by Queensland and Australian governments and includes a $17 million contribution from Council.
This funding was committed by Council in 2020 and reaffirmed in the Future Host Questionnaire (bid document) submitted to the International Olympics Committee in 2021.
Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre:
A new international indoor sports centre that will have capacity for 11 courts and the ability to convert to a minimum 6000 seat show court.
The indoor stadium will support a range of groups and sports, including basketball, netball, volleyball, pickleball, futsal and badminton.
The design of the indoor sports centre meets top-level accessibility standards to accommodate para-athletes and patrons with a disability.
The venue is proposed to host Olympic basketball preliminary games.
Construction is planned to start in 2025 and is due for completion in 2027.
$142 million will be funded by State and Federal governments.
Council is currently considering if it will contribute to enhance the Indoor Sports Centre to maximise its benefit as a community venue. The current plan is for items such as air conditioning, spectator seating and broadcast standard lighting to be brought in for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
During the upcoming budget process, Council will consider if funding for these items should be provided to allow them to be permanent and add value to the Centre for both community and elite sport.
Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre:
A key legacy opportunity with the development of the region’s first nature-based recreation precinct.
It will host mountain biking, trail running, bush walking, horse riding and multi-sport events at the site at Parklands, creating a network of adventure experiences across the Sunshine Coast region.
It will include a new 5km mountain bike trail and multi-use trails and trail hub, including a 200 bay carpark.
Co-located with existing Parkland Conservation Park which already boasts more than 40km of trails.
Construction to start in 2026 and due for completion in 2027.
Council contribution: Council is responsible for the cost to acquire the land for the new Mountain Bike Centre. Council will provide more information once negotiations with landholders are finalised.
