North Queensland Stadium

North Queensland Stadium, commercially known as Queensland Country Bank Stadium,[3] is a multi-purpose stadium in South Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Former namesTownsville Stadium
LocationSouth Townsville, Queensland
Coordinates19°15′59″S 146°48′56″E
Public transit Townsville, Queensland Rail
Townsville CBD Bus Hub, TransLink
OperatorStadiums Queensland
Capacity25,000[1]
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground16 August 2017
Opened22 February 2020
Construction cost$250 million
ArchitectCox Architecture
General contractorWatpac
Tenants
North Queensland Cowboys (NRL) (2020-[2])
Website
www.queenslandcountrybankstadium.com.au

History

As part of Australia's 2022 FIFA World Cup bid in 2010, an analysis of Townsville's existing Willows Sports Complex suggested a total redevelopment of the site and outlined key issues including the growth rate of the surrounding suburbs and incompatibility of hosting major events in an expanding residential centre, with limited public transport access. In August 2011, the Bligh Government released a concept design for a new inner-city $185 million sporting stadium in South Townsville. The concept plan identified a 17.28 hectare parcel of land bounded by Saunders St and owned by QR National, as the ideal site for a new international standard stadium. The 30,000 seat stadium would include 100 open-air corporate boxes and 25 enclosed corporate suites. North Queensland Cowboys chairman Laurence Lancini supported the concept and said relocating the Cowboys' home ground to the inner-city site would not only benefit the club, but the city as a whole. Two months prior to the concept release, then-Queensland Premier Anna Bligh had declared Townsville the capital of north Queensland and had outlined the importance of sporting events and entertainment in the Townsville Futures Plan.[4] The following year saw Bligh and the Queensland Labor Party lose the 2012 Queensland state election which resulted in the Queensland Liberal National Party not adopting the Townsville Futures Plan.

The concept of a new Townsville stadium was again put on the agenda in the lead up to the 2015 Queensland state election. In December 2014, Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk promised the Queensland Labor Party would provide $100 million in funding for a new stadium in Townsville's central business district, should they win the election.[5] In January 2015 then-premier Campbell Newman announced $150 million in funding for the same project that would be funded through the sale of state assets.[6]

The last thing I want to say [is that] north Queensland deserves a new stadium.

— Cowboys co-captain Jonathan Thurston in a post-game speech following the North Queensland Cowboys 2015 NRL Grand Final victory.[7]

In April 2015, the Townsville City Council purchased the 17.28ha site in South Townsville with the hope that funding could be secured for the project in the near future.[8] A visit from then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott a month later raised hopes as it was revealed that the federal Liberal National Party was investigating options for Commonwealth funding towards the stadium.[9] Just three days later Treasurer Joe Hockey ruled out Commonwealth funding for the project.[10]

The campaign to build a new stadium in Townsville received national exposure in October 2015 when the North Queensland Cowboys secured their first National Rugby League premiership. With millions watching on a national broadcast and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull standing on the same stage, Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston expressed his belief that north Queensland deserved a new stadium.[11] Following Thurston's speech, the campaign received an immense amount of media coverage. Three days after the Cowboys' 2015 NRL Grand Final win, it was revealed that club officials would travel to Canberra later that month to lobby for federal funding.[12] On 3 November 2015 Bill Shorten and the federal Labor party promised $100 million towards funding the project.[13]

On 10 June 2016 Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk committed an extra $40 million towards the project which upped the total state contribution to $140 million.[14] Three days later Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull matched the federal Labor party's pledge of $100 million, essentially ensuring the project becomes a reality regardless of which major party won the 2016 federal election.[15]

On 14 June 2019, the North Queensland Stadium website was officially launched alongside the announcement that international musician Sir Elton John would bring his final world tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road, on 29 February 2020 as the first official act for the stadium.

The first NRL premiership match to be held at the ground was between Queensland rivals the North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos in round one of the 2020 NRL season.[16] Jake Turpin scored the stadium's first try, Jamayne Isaako scored the first goal and Michael Morgan slotted the first field goal as the Broncos won 28–21.[17]

Construction

Construction of the stadium began on 18 August 2017,[18] and was completed in February 2020, with most of the yellow panels having been added as a result of the direction of construction manager Matt Baker.[19][20]

Name

In 2014 a funding proposal was released that suggested the stadium should officially be known as Stadium Northern Australia.[21] Plans released in December 2016 revealed the stadium would be known as North Queensland Stadium.[22]

In June 2019, expressions of interest were sought for naming rights to the stadium.[23]

On 12 December 2019, Queensland Country Credit Union were announced as official naming rights sponsor of the stadium, with the venue to be commercially known as Queensland Country Bank Stadium.[24]

Transport

A new pedestrian bridge over Ross Creek from Blackwood Street is the planned connection between the Townsville CBD and the stadium.[25] A pedestrian bridge over Ross Creek already exists 200 metres south of the project site on Fletcher Street. The Townsville Railway Station is located approximately 300 metres from the Fletcher Street pedestrian bridge and 500 metres from the stadium site. The new Reid Park bridge was constructed over the rail line simultaneously with the construction of the stadium to facilitate pedestrian movement. The project was praised by Member for Townsville Scott Stewart as being "crucial to ensure the efficient operation of North Queensland Stadium." The bridge was completed on time despite several setbacks, after work efforts doubled under the direction of project manager Matt Baker. Several bus stops also surround the stadium site, with a new main city bus terminal about to start construction on Ogden Street within walking distance of the new stadium.

Sports

Association Football

On 4 March 2020 it was announced that A-League side Brisbane Roar would play against Premier League club Crystal Palace on 11 July 2020.[26] This has however been indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[27]

Concerts
DatePerformer(s)Attendance Notes
29 February 2020 Elton John 20,000

Accessibility
WalkingPedestrian access
  • Queensland Country Bank Stadium is within walking distance of the CBD area of Townsville.
BusBus access
  • Queensland Country Bank Stadium is close to bus-stops in the CBD and the Townsville City Bus Hub a short distance across Lowths Bridge in Ogden Street
  • Frequent shuttle bus services are provided by Translink on match days and for special events.
CarThere is no public parking at the Stadium except for disability parking available by arrangement. However, paid parking stations are available within 5-minute walking distance in the CBD and park 'n' ride facilities are set up at Townsville Showgrounds/Lou Litster Park and Reid Park.

Statues
Statue Sport Unveiled Location Link
Jonathan Thurston Rugby League 2020, February Outside gate A
  • Southern Entrance June 2020
  • Stadium viewed from the Waterfront
  • June 6, 2020 illuminated for Queensland Day
  • Illuminated for Cowboys vs Cronulla Sharks game
  • Viewed from the Fletcher Street Bridge
  • Stadium viewed from the Waterfront on a Winter's day
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References
  1. https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/major-projects/north-queensland-stadium.html
  2. http://www.insidesport.com.au/league/news/cowboys-new-stadium-design-revealed--445484
  3. "North Queensland Stadium to be called Queensland Country Bank Stadium". Townsville Bulletin. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  5. Templeton, Anthony (10 December 2014). "Labor's $100 million stadium pledge". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  6. Templeton, Anthony (14 January 2015). "LNP to pledge $150m for stadium in Townsville CBD". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  7. "Campaign for new north Queensland stadium builds after Johnathan Thurston's grand final comments". ABC News. 7 October 2015.
  8. Galloway, Anthony (28 April 2015). "Council to buy super stadium site in Townsville CBD". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  9. Galloway, Anthony (15 May 2015). "Prime Minister Tony Abbott tells his government to investigate stadium funding". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  10. Galloway, Anthony (22 May 2015). "Joe Hockey rules out funding for Townsville's CBD stadium". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  11. Cameron Tomarchio (5 October 2015). "Johnathan Thurston says North Queensland deserves a new Townsville stadium after NRL grand final win". News.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  12. "NRL premiers Cowboys demand new stadium for North Queensland". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  13. Charlie Peel (4 November 2015). "Shorten promises $100m for stadium". Townsville Bulletin.
  14. "Palaszczuk Government commits extra $40M to deliver $140M for Townsville Stadium". 10 June 2016.
  15. Adam Gartrell (13 June 2016). "$100m for a local stadium? That's not pork barrelling, that's a bold vision, says PM".
  16. Read, Brent (24 October 2019). "Cowboys stadium to open with Broncos blockbuster". The Australian. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  17. "Cowboys v Broncos". National Rugby League. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  18. North Queensland Stadium construction to start
  19. Countdown to kick-off
  20. http://www.insidesport.com.au/league/news/cowboys-new-stadium-design-revealed--445484
  21. "Stadium Northern Australia : National Centre for Indigenous Sporting Excellence" (PDF). Townsville.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  22. North Queensland Stadium design
  23. "North Queensland Stadium #1 supporter sought for naming rights - The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory". statements.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  24. "North Queensland Stadium to be called Queensland Country Bank Stadium". Townsville Bulletin. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  25. Templeton, Anthony (6 September 2014). "Major road upgrades in CBD will be built to ease traffic congestion around superstadium and entertainment centre in South Townsville". Townsville Bulletin. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  26. "Roar to take on EPL sides Crystal Palace and West Ham in July". a-league.com.au. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  27. "What's On at Queensland Country Bank Stadium". northqueenslandstadium.com.au. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
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