Funding boost announced for QLD Browne Park redevelopment

The Queensland Government is delivering a major funding boost to the $54 million redevelopment of Browne Park in Rockhampton, pushing the project a step further towards the beginning of works. 

Artist impression of the new western grandstand as well as the full site masterplan for the stadium have also been unveiled. 

With the new funding, the State Government has more than doubled its commitment to address significant escalations in the building industry and supply chain issues. The funding boost will also address site challenges such as water and sewerage upgrades, and the need to meet professional sport requirements to host games during NRL. 

“Browne Park has been the home to NRL in Central Queensland for more than 100 years. 

“This $54 million investment is a game changer for Rockhampton and will bring big NRL games to the region and create a state-of-the-art home for sports here in Central Queensland. 

“This project also has enormous potential to put Rockhampton on the global map for international team training on the runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. 

Source: Queensland Government

The first stage of the redevelopment will include: 

• Building a contemporary three-level 3,500-seat grandstand featuring a timber structured roof 
• Four universally designed change rooms 
• Public amenities 
• Food and beverage outlets 
• Media and coach facilities 
• Corporate areas, a function room and broadcast facilities 
• Offices for the Central Queensland Capras and QRL 
• Increasing ground capacity from 5,000 to 7,000 

“Browne Park is the spiritual home of rugby league in Central Queensland. 

“The city that has given us Queensland greats including Matt Sing, Tamika Upton and Cameron Munster deserves a top-class regional facility that can host more NRL games and be a bigger, better home for the Capras,” Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said. 

Source: Queensland Government

Early demolition works on the existing 750-seat Jack Crow Stand are due to begin in mid-2023, with main construction activities to commence later in the year. 

The Browne Park redevelopment project is expected to support more than 170 local jobs during the construction phase. 

Procurement for a Head Contractor to lead the delivery of the project will start in the coming months. 

“Browne Park’s upgrade makes Central Queensland even more attractive as a destination for major NRL, rugby and A-league events, as well as concerts and festivals. 

“The Palaszczuk Government made Browne Park an election commitment because of its ability to super-charge Central Queensland’s economy. 

“Every game, every event will add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the visitor economy and that’s great news for local accommodation and hospitality providers and tourism operators,” Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said. 

Source: Queensland Government

In addition, locals will be given the opportunity to have their say on the full master plan during the Infrastructure Designation public consultation that will be held in the coming months as well. 

Once all stages of the redevelopment master plan are completed, Browne Park’s full ground capacity will be doubled to 10,000. 

Subject to weather, labour and materials availability, construction is expected to be completed ahead of the 2025 rugby league season. 

“It’s a genuine thrill for Rockhampton to receive this boost to the initial $25 million election commitment, increasing funding to $54 million to give Browne Park the makeover it deserves. 

“As the home of rugby league in Central Queensland, which hosted an NRL semi-final in 2021 between Parramatta and Newcastle, Browne Park will get a new lease of life and I can’t wait for the dozers to start rolling in later this year,” Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (1, 2); Build Australia