The Coalition, if elected to Government, has committed $500,000 to a major sports precinct, including stadium, in Rockhampton.

The Coalition, if elected to Government, has committed $500,000 to a major sports precinct, including stadium, in Rockhampton. Chris Ison

10.10am: Labor's candidate for Capricornia Peter Freeleagus last night said the Rudd government would provide up to $500,000 towards the CQ NRL Bid to fund a detailed design and feasibility study for a new stadium.

Mr Freeleagus said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd would discuss the funding later today when he arrives in Rockhampton for Community Cabinet.

Denis Keeffe’s confidence has not been dented despite NRL boss David Gallop this week saying Central Coast and Perth are lead contenders. CHRIS ISON

DENIS Keeffe says the Central Queensland NRL stadium will be the "biggest single community asset the city has ever seen".

And the CEO of the CQ NRL Bid was smiling broadly yesterday when the Opposition said a Coalition Government would commit $500,000 to the development of a 20,000-seat stadium to bolster the bid for a National Rugby League team to be based in Central Queensland.

Shadow Sports Minister Luke Hartsuyker made the announcement at the CQ Leagues Club, saying the funds would go towards a feasibility study and planning.

Describing himself as an "NRL tragic", Mr Hartsuyker said the stadium would not only be a world-class venue for rugby league games but would help attract other major events to the city, such as concerts and cultural events. Keeffe agreed, saying the project was vitally important to the development of Rockhampton and the social development of its residents.

"It's not just for rugby league - this is for the whole community," he said.

The feasibility study, which will include site evaluation and traffic studies, should be complete by early 2014. Keeffe said the CQ NRL Bid had made marvellous progress, boasting 43,000 bid members, several league clubs and 150 corporate sponsors. "Now we need the next stage, which is a compliant stadium, and this is a big step towards that.

"This will make the project a reality and see it shovel ready when we are ready to go the NRL."

Michelle Landry, the LNP candidate for Capricornia, and Ken O'Dowd, the Federal Member for Flynn, applauded the funding commitment, saying the project was important to Central Queensland.

3.50pm: IF elected to Government, the Coalition have committed to invest $500,000 towards investigating the development of a world-class stadium and sporting precinct in Rockhampton.

They have flagged it as a kick-start to the CQNRL bid.

The investment builds on support from the Queensland Government, Rockhampton Regional Council, Capricorn Enterprise and the Central Queensland NRL Bid team, the LNP said in a statement.

LNP candidate for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the proposed stadium would provide a regional community facility with seating for 20,000 spectators.

It would be accompanied by an elite sporting academy to support the development of young athletes being nurtured to compete at senior levels of rugby league.

The stadium would be designed to allow large-scale events such as concerts to be staged and also to facilitate smaller events, like conferences and conventions.

There is also a hope to incorporate the stadium into the triennial BEEF expo.



The $500,000 investment will go towards...



• Strategic Planning Advice Report: $137,926

• Business planning, cost estimates, 3D visuals: $41,000

• Additional services, site evaluation (five potential sites) $35,000

• Stadium Architectural Concept Design: $71,518

• Stadium Architectural Schematic Concept: $214,556