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Subscriber only Local philanthropists Roy Thompson and Rod Forrester have reaffirmed that their $11 million pledge towards the Sunshine Coast Stadium expansion has an expiry date. Mr Thompson has pitched in $10m and Mr Forrester $1m towards the expansion on top of $17m from Sunshine Coast Council and $20m from the State Government. However, the project has a funding shortfall of $20m which the federal government has so far been unable to cover. Mr Thompson said he would walk away if the money was not made available at the May Budget. If it s not there, I am out, Mr Thompson said.
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Sunshine Coast Stadium supporters have launched a call to arms from the community to flex their muscles and demand the Federal Government cough up cash to upgrade the facility.
Sunshine Coast Council and stadium supporters are hopeful there will be funding granted towards the project when the Federal Government delivers its next budget in a few weeks.
Local rugby league identities Ashley Robinson and Billy Moore said it was “ridiculous” the funding shortfall remained and said the missing funds were a drop in the ocean in the grand scheme of things.
The federal funding is the missing piece of the stadium puzzle after a combined backing of $48 million was locked in from Sunshine Coast Council, the State Government and local philanthropists Roy Thompson and Rod Forrester.
He pointed the finger at the state for not supporting the project despite placing ambitious population targets on the region.
The South East Queensland Regional Plan estimates the Sunshine Coast will be home to 500,000 by 2041, an increase of about 170,000.
“The State Government wants to jam 500,000 people on the Coast in 2041 so it’s time for them to start funding infrastructure,” Mr Wallace said.
“Show some ticker and interest and get on board with this project.
“Our roads are chockers now, see how bad that traffic gridlock is going to be then.”
Part of the reason the project was not included on the list was it was not clear who would deliver it.
I am as disappointed as anyone in our community that we do not yet have a commitment from the Federal Government to fund upgrades to the Stadium. However, Mr Sawyer chooses to ignore the simple fact that today the Federal Government is investing more taxpayer money in our community than ever before. The Morrison Government is investing more than $3.5 billion dollars in vital upgrades to the Bruce Highway and the North Coast Rail. It has also invested $3 million in the Caloundra Events Centre, $5 million in a High-Performance Sports Hub in Kawana, and hundreds of thousands more in smaller community sports projects.
He said it would require upgrades to local sporting infrastructure, opening up the âperfect opportunityâ for the Federal Government to provide the $20 million of remaining funds needed to kickstart a $68 million Sunshine Coast Stadium expansion.
Mr Wallace confirmed heâd written to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, asking them to reconsider if they could âopen the Treasury coffersâ and make $20 million available.
He said it was a great opportunity for a âchange of heartâ from the Federal Government.
âThis is a great opportunity now for the Federal Government to get on board,â Mr Wallace said.