Premier’s Support For Stadium Planning Great News For Cq Nrl Bid



This news item was posted at 12:40 pm on the 7th March, 2012

Premier Anna Bligh’s commitment yesterday of up to $500,000 in funding for the Strategic Planning Phase of a new Stadium provides a big tick for the CQ NRL Bid at just the right time.

Today CQ NRL Bid Chairman Geoff Murphy and CEO Denis Keeffe will visit NRL officials at the new Rugby League Central Headquarters in Sydney to update them on the significant progress of Central Queensland’s Bid for an NRL Team.

Murphy was buoyed by the announcement that will mean a fully compliant NRL Stadium in Rockhampton is a real likelihood in time for the start of the 2015 NRL Season.

“When the NRL says yes to our Bid, we will be shovel-ready to go. I think we could get a strong indication by mid-year. I believe this announcement places the CQ NRL Bid at the head of the queue.”

The inspirational Chairman went on to thank the Premier and the State Government for their “100% support” of the CQ NRL Bid, which continues to go from strength-to-strength.

“We are the only bidding group that is being proactive in the community with our grassroots programs. We deserve our own NRL team because Central Queensland is rugby league heartland and we are a no-risk choice for expansion.”



Please find following the Media Release from the Queensland Labor Party

Media Release Labor commits up to $500,000 for Stadium’s Strategic Plan

A new Labor Government will provide up to $500,000 for the next critical step towards a new rugby league stadium for Rockhampton, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

“The Strategic Planning Phase will provide a road map to steer a new stadium through the planning and design process and give design advice on how best to link a stadium to the riverbank redevelopment and other facilities,” Ms Bligh said.

It is intended that the bid team, in coordination with the Rockhampton City Council, will commission world-class stadium design experts, Populous, to undertake the Strategic Planning, which will involve architectural studies, urban design work, civil engineering plans, a preliminary concept design and 3D animations of what the Rocky Stadium will look like – inside and out. The planning will also look at the Stadium’s interface with transport facilities, as well as existing community infrastructure in Rockhampton.

“Populous were responsible for Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, successfully delivering a design which resulted in one of the greenest, most cost-effective stadiums ever built in Australia.” Ms Bligh said.

“Only a re-elected Bligh Government will make sure the Strategic Planning phase is started by mid 2012 for a Rockhampton Stadium.”

“Central Queensland is running a strong campaign to have a team in the National Rugby League should the NRL decide to expand the competition in 2015.

“Getting a stadium built is a complex process so while we wait for the NRL to decide we need to get the ball rolling on the necessary planning approvals.

Labor Candidate for Rockhampton Bill Byrne said the NRL bid brought with it a tremendous opportunity for the region.

“The Bligh Government is contributing more than $29 million to the Riverbank Redevelopment which includes the recently opened Olympic standard swimming pool. “The showgrounds and tennis courts are also nearby.

“A new stadium in the same area would create one of the best sporting and entertainment precincts of any regional city in the nation.

“It would be a major drawcard for Rockhampton.

“We need to plan how to best link these elements together to get the biggest bang for our buck if we get an NRL team,” he said.

Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan said locals would be comforted by the commitment for planning funds. “It takes more than two years to properly plan, design and construct a stadium so this funding is crucial to get the early planning work underway. “The NRL will know how serious we are with this planning work already underway in the lead up to their decision,” Mr Hoolihan said.

Funding for the Strategic Planning Phase will come from the Sustainable Regional Communities initiative.



7 March 2012

Authorised A Chisholm 16 Peel Street South Brisbane Qld 4101 for the Australian Labor Party. Not produced at public expense

MEDIA CONTACT: 07 3224 4500


www.cqnrlbid.com.au/2012/03/prem ... q-nrl-bid/

Premier’s Support For Stadium Planning Great News For Cq Nrl Bid



This news item was posted at 12:40 pm on the 7th March, 2012

Premier Anna Bligh’s commitment yesterday of up to $500,000 in funding for the Strategic Planning Phase of a new Stadium provides a big tick for the CQ NRL Bid at just the right time.

Today CQ NRL Bid Chairman Geoff Murphy and CEO Denis Keeffe will visit NRL officials at the new Rugby League Central Headquarters in Sydney to update them on the significant progress of Central Queensland’s Bid for an NRL Team.

Murphy was buoyed by the announcement that will mean a fully compliant NRL Stadium in Rockhampton is a real likelihood in time for the start of the 2015 NRL Season.

“When the NRL says yes to our Bid, we will be shovel-ready to go. I think we could get a strong indication by mid-year. I believe this announcement places the CQ NRL Bid at the head of the queue.”

The inspirational Chairman went on to thank the Premier and the State Government for their “100% support” of the CQ NRL Bid, which continues to go from strength-to-strength.

“We are the only bidding group that is being proactive in the community with our grassroots programs. We deserve our own NRL team because Central Queensland is rugby league heartland and we are a no-risk choice for expansion.”



Please find following the Media Release from the Queensland Labor Party

Media Release Labor commits up to $500,000 for Stadium’s Strategic Plan

A new Labor Government will provide up to $500,000 for the next critical step towards a new rugby league stadium for Rockhampton, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

“The Strategic Planning Phase will provide a road map to steer a new stadium through the planning and design process and give design advice on how best to link a stadium to the riverbank redevelopment and other facilities,” Ms Bligh said.

It is intended that the bid team, in coordination with the Rockhampton City Council, will commission world-class stadium design experts, Populous, to undertake the Strategic Planning, which will involve architectural studies, urban design work, civil engineering plans, a preliminary concept design and 3D animations of what the Rocky Stadium will look like – inside and out. The planning will also look at the Stadium’s interface with transport facilities, as well as existing community infrastructure in Rockhampton.

“Populous were responsible for Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, successfully delivering a design which resulted in one of the greenest, most cost-effective stadiums ever built in Australia.” Ms Bligh said.

“Only a re-elected Bligh Government will make sure the Strategic Planning phase is started by mid 2012 for a Rockhampton Stadium.”

“Central Queensland is running a strong campaign to have a team in the National Rugby League should the NRL decide to expand the competition in 2015.

“Getting a stadium built is a complex process so while we wait for the NRL to decide we need to get the ball rolling on the necessary planning approvals.

Labor Candidate for Rockhampton Bill Byrne said the NRL bid brought with it a tremendous opportunity for the region.

“The Bligh Government is contributing more than $29 million to the Riverbank Redevelopment which includes the recently opened Olympic standard swimming pool. “The showgrounds and tennis courts are also nearby.

“A new stadium in the same area would create one of the best sporting and entertainment precincts of any regional city in the nation.

“It would be a major drawcard for Rockhampton.

“We need to plan how to best link these elements together to get the biggest bang for our buck if we get an NRL team,” he said.

Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan said locals would be comforted by the commitment for planning funds. “It takes more than two years to properly plan, design and construct a stadium so this funding is crucial to get the early planning work underway. “The NRL will know how serious we are with this planning work already underway in the lead up to their decision,” Mr Hoolihan said.

Funding for the Strategic Planning Phase will come from the Sustainable Regional Communities initiative.



7 March 2012

Authorised A Chisholm 16 Peel Street South Brisbane Qld 4101 for the Australian Labor Party. Not produced at public expense

MEDIA CONTACT: 07 3224 4500


www.cqnrlbid.com.au/2012/03/prem ... q-nrl-bid/

Central Queensland – the Spotlight

The Spotlight will be a regular blog on the quirky, interesting and new things happening for rugby league in and relating to Central Queensland. What are some former stars up to? Are there any unusual stories? And what is happening in grassroots rugby league in CQ. All we know is we’re in for another great season of rugby league! Plus new "insider note" from the Bid.

www.cqnrlbid.com.au/2012/03/cent ... el-morgan/

Central Queensland – the Spotlight

The Spotlight will be a regular blog on the quirky, interesting and new things happening for rugby league in and relating to Central Queensland. What are some former stars up to? Are there any unusual stories? And what is happening in grassroots rugby league in CQ. All we know is we’re in for another great season of rugby league! Plus new "insider note" from the Bid.

www.cqnrlbid.com.au/2012/03/cent ... el-morgan/

and Perth set to break 3million within the next 15 years! Talk about boom times.
www.oneperth.com.au/2012/02/14/s ... opulation/

and Perth set to break 3million within the next 15 years! Talk about boom times.
www.oneperth.com.au/2012/02/14/s ... opulation/

"The Gold Coast has a very prominent surfing-individualist kind of culture," says Danya Hodgetts, a research fellow with the Institute for Health and Social Science at Central Queensland University's Rockhampton campus. "And then you've got the glitz and the glamour aspect. They are the two big groups and neither are very football-watching groups.

"In between are all the blue collar and retail workers and they are affected by rising costs everywhere. The Gold Coast just doesn't seem to have that football market segment to its population, where in Rockhampton garnishing support for league is like shooting fish in a barrel."

www.theaustralian.com.au/news/fe ... 6308607783

"The Gold Coast has a very prominent surfing-individualist kind of culture," says Danya Hodgetts, a research fellow with the Institute for Health and Social Science at Central Queensland University's Rockhampton campus. "And then you've got the glitz and the glamour aspect. They are the two big groups and neither are very football-watching groups.

"In between are all the blue collar and retail workers and they are affected by rising costs everywhere. The Gold Coast just doesn't seem to have that football market segment to its population, where in Rockhampton garnishing support for league is like shooting fish in a barrel."

www.theaustralian.com.au/news/fe ... 6308607783

Click on the following video "Good Call, Bad Call NRL Footy Show Posted: 25/03/12"
Expansion highlighted in Perth and CQ from 3.36 min

Paul Kent: "I hear the most impressive bid out there is Central Queensland. As far as what they got in place. Their a darkhorse don't leave them out of the picture just yet"

wwos.ninemsn.com.au/nrl/nrlsunday/video/

Click on the following video "Good Call, Bad Call NRL Footy Show Posted: 25/03/12"
Expansion highlighted in Perth and CQ from 3.36 min

Paul Kent: "I hear the most impressive bid out there is Central Queensland. As far as what they got in place. Their a darkhorse don't leave them out of the picture just yet"

wwos.ninemsn.com.au/nrl/nrlsunday/video/

"Did you see the Roast yesterday? Sydney's "Daily Telegraph" writer Paul Kent calls CQ the "dark horse"..."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2XUURV2Jmg

"Did you see the Roast yesterday? Sydney's "Daily Telegraph" writer Paul Kent calls CQ the "dark horse"..."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2XUURV2Jmg

CQ NRL Bid beefs up the region

Sam Woods | 28th March 2012 10:54 AM



CQ NRL Bid representatives Walson Carlos and Steve Bell with Denison State School students, Kaleb Bock, Kiersten Reiner and Daniel Putarakkit.

GRASSROOTS football is where it starts, and if Walson Carlos has anything to do with it, that's where it is going to end as well.
The CQ NRL Bid community and business development manager was getting stuck into a skills and drills session at Denison State School yesterday, alongside former State of Origin legend Steve Bell and Central Highlands development officer Andrew Lawrence.
The CQ Bid has always maintained local football as one of its primary areas of focus.
"One thing that we are acutely aware of is the importance of grassroots rugby league to the overall health of the game," Carlos said.
"Every element of the grassroots of rugby league in Central Queensland has been carefully considered and planned for."
To that end, Carlos and his roving team of development co-ordinators appear to be making every effort to ensure the next generation of CQ footballers are active participants now and well into the future. Even if they can't quite grasp the correct name of their local hero just yet
"And who knows who this is?" one development officer asks of his Grade 3 audience, indicating in Steve Bell's direction.
"Yeah, you're Mason!" comes a reply in quick succession.
After a number of visits to schools throughout the Central Highlands this week, Carlos said the bid team was beefing up its presence in the region.
"It's an exciting time for the bid," he said.
"There will be a shortlist down to three to four bids, and they advised us that by September or October we should know who they are."
Already there have been strong claims made by a number of rival NRL Bids from across the country and overseas, including Central Coast, Perth, New Zealand, a second Brisbane team and even Papua New Guinea as an outside chance.
However, just like the grassroots plan, what the CQ Bid team believes will give them the edge will be their "viability" as a potential NRL club.
"Denis (Keeffe - CQ NRL Bid CEO) has been very positive about the latest developments," Carlos said.
"He has been very impressed with the grassroots football and development programs... in the end it comes down to viability."
The quality and quantity of talent this region possesses is sure to add more weight to Keeffe's viability argument.
From the beginning it has been Keeffe's desire to draw on this grassroots base they are so heavily investing in, with the ambition to recruit 70% of its playing staff from Central Queensland.
Carlos said the Bid team will continue to develop its school clinic program in the region, with visits at least once a term.


www.cqnews.com.au/story/2012/03/ ... on-sports/

CQ NRL Bid beefs up the region

Sam Woods | 28th March 2012 10:54 AM



CQ NRL Bid representatives Walson Carlos and Steve Bell with Denison State School students, Kaleb Bock, Kiersten Reiner and Daniel Putarakkit.

GRASSROOTS football is where it starts, and if Walson Carlos has anything to do with it, that's where it is going to end as well.
The CQ NRL Bid community and business development manager was getting stuck into a skills and drills session at Denison State School yesterday, alongside former State of Origin legend Steve Bell and Central Highlands development officer Andrew Lawrence.
The CQ Bid has always maintained local football as one of its primary areas of focus.
"One thing that we are acutely aware of is the importance of grassroots rugby league to the overall health of the game," Carlos said.
"Every element of the grassroots of rugby league in Central Queensland has been carefully considered and planned for."
To that end, Carlos and his roving team of development co-ordinators appear to be making every effort to ensure the next generation of CQ footballers are active participants now and well into the future. Even if they can't quite grasp the correct name of their local hero just yet
"And who knows who this is?" one development officer asks of his Grade 3 audience, indicating in Steve Bell's direction.
"Yeah, you're Mason!" comes a reply in quick succession.
After a number of visits to schools throughout the Central Highlands this week, Carlos said the bid team was beefing up its presence in the region.
"It's an exciting time for the bid," he said.
"There will be a shortlist down to three to four bids, and they advised us that by September or October we should know who they are."
Already there have been strong claims made by a number of rival NRL Bids from across the country and overseas, including Central Coast, Perth, New Zealand, a second Brisbane team and even Papua New Guinea as an outside chance.
However, just like the grassroots plan, what the CQ Bid team believes will give them the edge will be their "viability" as a potential NRL club.
"Denis (Keeffe - CQ NRL Bid CEO) has been very positive about the latest developments," Carlos said.
"He has been very impressed with the grassroots football and development programs... in the end it comes down to viability."
The quality and quantity of talent this region possesses is sure to add more weight to Keeffe's viability argument.
From the beginning it has been Keeffe's desire to draw on this grassroots base they are so heavily investing in, with the ambition to recruit 70% of its playing staff from Central Queensland.
Carlos said the Bid team will continue to develop its school clinic program in the region, with visits at least once a term.


www.cqnews.com.au/story/2012/03/ ... on-sports/

Titans And Cq Have Clear Differences

This news item was posted at 12:17 pm on the 27th March, 2012

There has been much said and written recently about the Titans and most of the discussion concerns the club’s finances. My main interest, however, was the announcement of their signing of Dave Taylor to a multiyear playing contract commencing in 2013. If there was anything that confused me a little about Queensland’s newest NRL club was their propensity to sign New South Wales players and coaches.

FULL ARTICLE: www.cqnrlbid.com.au/2012/03/tita ... fferences/

Titans And Cq Have Clear Differences

This news item was posted at 12:17 pm on the 27th March, 2012

There has been much said and written recently about the Titans and most of the discussion concerns the club’s finances. My main interest, however, was the announcement of their signing of Dave Taylor to a multiyear playing contract commencing in 2013. If there was anything that confused me a little about Queensland’s newest NRL club was their propensity to sign New South Wales players and coaches.

FULL ARTICLE: www.cqnrlbid.com.au/2012/03/tita ... fferences/