Plans move forward for second Rockhampton stadium

Despite work having commenced on the $54 million redevelopment of Rockhampton's Browne Park, the proponents of a rival stadium plan in the Central Queensland city have lodged a development application for a three-tier grandstand at a site next to the Fitzroy River.

Plans for the construction of the Rocky Stadium - to be built on the Brothers Club rugby league grounds at the Rocky Sports Club - are for a 5369 seating capacity grandstand with additional space for 565 spectators to stand.

The proposed grandstand will tiered over three-levels, with the lower level to contain male and female spectator amenities, player change rooms and amenities, various storage rooms, referee/official change rooms, medical facilities and food and beverage areas.

The middle concourse will have 28 wheelchair accessible seats, 28 carers seats, coaches box and 2058 lower tier seats.

The upper level will have 1460 seats, 14 wheelchair accessible seating spaces and 14 carer seats and space for 565 standing spectators and amenities.

A report from Capricorn Survey Group CQ states “the 5000+ capacity stadium will certainly enhance the area as the highest-order sporting precinct in Rockhampton.

“At present the football field has very little in the way of permanent seating, with only a select few relocatable grandstands and grassy knolls available for spectators.

“The relatively informal arrangement for seating serves well for local competition matches, however, could become problematic for larger tournaments that attract a higher number of spectators.

“The new stadium will not only enhance local competition but opens up further opportunities for higher level competition games to be held in Rockhampton.”

While the Queensland Government has committed to the $54 million redevelopment of Browne Park, Rockhampton's traditional home of rugby league, $23 million for the Rocky Stadium was pledged by the former Federal Government and One Nation Federal Senator Pauline Hanson in September 2020.

At the time, Senator Hanson presented a novelty cheque for $23 million from the 'Australian Federal Parliament' for what was then proposed as an 8,500-seat rectangular sports stadium.

Local Capricornia Federal MP Michelle Landry has been an enthusiastic backed of the project, telling the city’s The Morning Bulletin over recent days that the project is “going ahead”, noting “we put the money on the table a few years ago and now it’s all systems go.”

However, with the current Federal Government reviewing regional funding pledges there is no certainty that the $23 million commitment to Rocky Stadium will remain.

In addition, questions over its riverbank site being prone to flooding have frequently been raised.

Stage one of the Browne Park project includes a three-level 3500-seat grandstand, change rooms, public amenities, food and beverage outlets, media and coach facilities, corporate areas, a function room, broadcast facilities and officers for the CQ Capras and Queensland Rugby League.

Works at Browne Park are expected to be completed by the 2025 rugby league season.

Images: Concept for the proposed three tier grandstand at the Rocky Stadium (top) and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (below left) poses with a $23 million novelty cheque for the Rocky Stadium in September 2020 (below, courtesy of Pauline Hanson Please Explain/Facebook).