We are putting in $20 million. The Federal Government seems to be missing in action. I notice the mayor is asking where is the $20 million from the Federal Government? It is vital that that project gets upgraded. She then prompted an interjection from Mr Bleijie, before continuing. Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: Josh Woning Oh, that is right. I put in the $20 million, Ms Palaszczuk said. Where are your mates in Canberra? Mr Bleijie told the
Daily on Thursday morning that he supported the expansion of the stadium. I have been regularly speaking to Andrew Wallace MP (Federal Member for Fisher) about the missing piece to the puzzle, he said.
Questions have been raised about why the Sunshine Coast s stadium expansion dream has been snubbed while other regions rake in millions in funding to build new facilities. The push to secure the remaining $20 million of funding from the Federal Government has ramped up after revelations the project would be ignored in the upcoming May Budget. The news prompted philanthropist Roy Thompson to warn he would pull his $10 million funding pledge if the federal cash couldn t be found. The $20 million was the final hurdle remaining for the $68 million expansion project, after Sunshine Coast Council and State Government funding commitments, coupled with Mr Thompson s $10 million and a further $1 million from businessman Rod Forrester had the project within touching distance of progress.
It is understood their respective contributions are not transferable to a smaller project. The spokeswoman said the council would continue to work with the Federal Government and try to convince them to still fund the project, given its strong local support and need. Fisher MP Andrew Wallace vowed to continue fighting for the funding as an election commitment, despite the budget blow. I don t take no for an answer. To me, no means not now, he said. Mr Wallace said the economic impacts created by the COVID-19 pandemic meant that for now, the stadium funding was not a first priority.