Johnathan Thurston's public show of support at the NRL grand final for a new north Queensland stadium has put the issue on the national agenda.

Accepting the NRL premiership trophy in Sydney at the weekend after defeating the Brisbane Broncos 17-16, Thurston let his co-captain Matt Scott say thanks on behalf of the team.

But he did make one comment, taking advantage of his close proximity to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

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

Townsville City Council and economic development body Townsville Enterprise have been pushing for a new stadium and entertainment centre in the city's CBD for some time.

Townsville Enterprise CEO Patricia O'Callaghan said Thurston's statement had increased the prominence of the issue.

"I think JT's comments at the highlight of ... his career [and when] our team [is] on the national stage has now made this an issue and a topic of national discussion," she said.

"The pressure is now on for our governments to deliver to the north, and it's time that this region stops playing second fiddle to our capital cities, because this isn't a new conversation. The region does deserve a new stadium and entertainment centre.

"I think the discussion has now been elevated to a whole new level."

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said she would be bringing the issue up with the Prime Minister when he visited the region next week.

"The story was the Queensland Premier and the Prime Minister were talking [at the grand final] and someone overheard the Prime Minister say, 'How much money do they need?'," Cr Hill said.

"So when we see him next week we're going to hit him up ... we're going to talk funding for the north for key projects including the [stadium and entertainment centre]."

The State Government has already committed $100 million to the project, and it is hoped the Federal Government will match that contribution.

A feasibility study conducted two years ago estimated the cost of the new stadium and entertainment centre to be more than $300 million.

"We're very keen to make sure [the Prime Minister is] acutely aware of how much we want to see the Federal Government come in and support our $100 million for a Townsville stadium," Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt said.

"Based on [the grand final] result, I think it'd be a very brave Prime Minister to not come to the party."

North Queensland Cowboys general manager Peter Parr said the team was more than deserving of a world class stadium.

"If you have a look at some of the stadiums that we've played at in recent weeks ... we have played in some outstanding stadiums," he said.

"Since I've been at the Cowboys, [the] Gold Coast have had two stadiums built ... the New South Wales government just committed over $1 billion to stadiums.

"I don't understand why the north is being forgotten in all of this."

Mr Parr said the Cowboys Leagues Club did not have the funds to build the stadium.

"If the NRL got some commitment from state and federal governments and the council that they were willing to put up the money, I'm sure the National Rugby League will come to the party," he said.

Thousands filled 1300 Smiles stadium in Townsville to welcome the North Queensland Cowboys home after their grand final win against the Brisbane Broncos. The current stadium is about 25 minutes from the Townsville CBD. ( Isobel Roe )

Community support divided

Talkback callers from around regional Queensland were divided on the merits of the new stadium and entertainment centre.

Andrew from Bowen said he did not see the need for a new facility.

"We very rarely sell out the one we've got now and we've just had a preliminary final at the ground and it was [only] just sold out," he said.

"Why would you put a stadium in the city, you already can't get a park in the city ... there's a lot better things we could do with the money ... good parks, good facilities and good junior clubs is where the money needs to go, not to a new stadium."

He added that the current location of the 1300 Smiles stadium was ideal.

"Kirwan is central to everything, all major roads from everywhere lead out there," Andrew said.

"The traffic jams leaving a game [are bad enough] now, imagine trying to get out of the city."

Glen from Oonoonba in Townsville said a new stadium would help local businesses.

"A lot of the corporate boxes out at 1300 Smiles are currently empty and it's a difficult place to get to," he said.

"I think a new stadium in the city would allow corporates to return and show their customers a good time... if they built a new stadium in town, I'd be very happy to take a corporate option and support the club."

Greg from Blackwater in central Queensland said Townsville should be careful what it wishes for.

"I've been to Cowboys stadium, it's a good country stadium. It's got grassed areas where the kids can run around, it's a lot of fun there," he said.

"[When] you get a new stadium, it'll be seating only, you'll be jammed into a seat like you are down in Brisbane, and the price will go up."

Pat in Gracemere, west of Rockhampton, was 100 per cent behind the stadium in order to move the focus away from the south east of the state.

"How many good Queensland kids [that] have gone onto play NRL are getting plucked out of the regions and have to go to ... the south east corner of the state?" he said.

"Get out in the regions, develop the regions ... I'm with you all the way."

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland, Coralee O'Rourke, said while the current Townsville stadium rarely sold out, a bigger venue was still needed.

"It's not just about providing a stadium for football," she said.

"It's about attracting concerts, conferences, everything that we can attract to Townsville that we haven't been able to say yes to in the past, we'll be able to say yes to in the future."

Ms O'Callaghan said Townsville Enterprise also was advocating for other infrastructure projects including rail and ports, but the new stadium and entertainment centre was still an important project.

"There is a need for communities to invest in social infrastructure. We need to create communities that people love to live in," she said.

"If we don't get the social infrastructure investment into our region, it will simply go further south, whether that be in Brisbane, whether that be in Canberra.

"This is money that is allocated in our government's budget for social infrastructure. If we don't get it for us it will simply go somewhere else."