Carrara Redevelopment Gets Underway

The $126 million redevelopment of the Gold Coast Stadium is underway with demolition having begun at the Carrara Stadium.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese, were at Carrara at the end of last week to commence the demolition of the stadium.
Premier Bligh said she was looking forward to seeing the redevelopment take shape and the emergence of the new Gold Coast license as an AFL force to be reckoned with, stating "we are (now) one step closer to a having a home grown AFL team to support" and adding that the redeveloped facility is a key part of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bid.
âI recently presented the Gold Coastâs sporting and event credentials to the Commonwealth Games Federationâs Annual General Assembly in Delhi, the Gold Coast, as a potential candidate city, was well received and a comprehensive assessment of the technical capacity of the Gold Coast to host the event will commence soon."
Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese, said that the Rudd Governmentâs $36 million contribution was part of our Economic Stimulus Plan to support jobs by building long-term infrastructure.
âThis funding has meant that this major infrastructure project can go ahead and secured Gold Coastâs place in the Australian Football League. This new, 25,000-seat AFL and sports stadium at Carrara will deliver an economic boost to the Gold Coast economy. Data provided by the AFL shows that, over a 10-year period, this project will generate $415 million of economic activity, as well as a direct tourism impact of $34 million every year through day trips and overnights stays for AFL matches. We are delivering first-class sporting infrastructure for the Gold Coast in partnership with Queensland, Gold Coast City Council, and the AFL. It will develop the code in south-east Queensland and encourage young people to get active in sport at a community and professional level,�? Minister Albanese stated.
Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke said the new stadium would provide the city with a modern sports stadium, while at the same time delivering a tremendous boost to its economy.
âThere will be an immediate creation of jobs during the construction phase, but even more importantly, it will provide significant ongoing employment for people living in our city. In a purely sporting sense, I believe it will ensure the success of the fledgling Gold Coast Football Club and greatly boost the presence and image of Aussie Rules in our region. It has been an essential element in both the securing of a new AFL licence for the Gold Coast and, even more importantly, ensuring the success of the team as an ongoing feature of the recreation, social and economic fabric of the city.�?
AFL Chief Operating Officer, Gillon McLachlan said âtoday is another major step forward for AFL fans in the region. We know AFL is a great game to enjoy live and having a first class venue will only add to the experience.
"The re-developed Gold Coast Stadium is going to provide a fantastic home and training base for the Gold Coast Football Club but also for all the young players in the region through our talent programs."
The redeveloped Gold Coast Stadium is scheduled for completion in mid-2011. The Australian Commonwealth Games Association will make a decision early in 2010 if Australia is going to bid with a final decision on the host city for the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be made in late 2011.
When complete, the 25,000 capacity Gold Coast Stadium will be capable of hosting AFL, cricket, entertainment and cultural events.