Expansion Gold Coast must play at Gabba - Courier Mail

[Ice-Wolf]

hehe you are going to love the next few years parra. the GCAFL team is going to die and be killed every week.

right up until it starts playing

Yep then it will just be every other week

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I'm not sure why the Qld govt has a preference for a certain number of games over 4 years rather than the same number of games over a longer period of time.

If they delivered the same financial return why would they care?

What's the Qld govt's situation like? If they have net debt, they would care when the money comes in because there is interest to worry about. Even without it, there's also inflation - and income NOW always looks better on Budget night, regardless of the situation five years down the track - and allows for bribes and pork-barrelling (sorry, carefully targeted spending increases in areas where the public have rightly expressed concern) at the next election. Especially if forward estimates only go three years.

 

[Subprime]

What's the Qld govt's situation like? If they have net debt, they would care when the money comes in because there is interest to worry about. Even without it, there's also inflation - and income NOW always looks better on Budget night, regardless of the situation five years down the track - and allows for bribes and pork-barrelling (sorry, carefully targeted spending increases in areas where the public have rightly expressed concern) at the next election. Especially if forward estimates only go three years.

Don't know about the Qld govts finances but any deals can be adjusted for inflation or financing costs easily enough. They won't get any income if the AFL is forced to wait.

 

[numchuks]

Not that I want to be Vlad's defence spokesman, but the deal was done prior to Vlad - Jackson was in charge at the time.

He promised a stadium deal way back in November.

It's been 6 months and jack shit has happened.

He either made a promise he could never keep, or made an outright lie.

Both are equally despicable imo

 

[stmookeyj]

What's the Qld govt's situation like? If they have net debt, they would care when the money comes in because there is interest to worry about. Even without it, there's also inflation - and income NOW always looks better on Budget night, regardless of the situation five years down the track - and allows for bribes and pork-barrelling (sorry, carefully targeted spending increases in areas where the public have rightly expressed concern) at the next election. Especially if forward estimates only go three years.

They've had to sell regional airports (Mackay and Cairns) in order to find majorly overdue health infrastructure and have had to foot extra costs for Brisbane Roads.

 

[Ancient and Loyal]

So the upgrade was only for Aussie Rules and not Cricket? I didn't know that.

Considering Cricket maybe has 4 days in a good year where they can get more than 20,000 people to the Gabba, it's pretty clear the expansion was done for the AFL. That's why the Government signed a deal with them to play any second side in SEQLD there until 2015...

And if the AFL plays the same number of games over a longer period, why is that not satisfactory?

$$$. Now. The Qld Govt has over-reached itself on infrastructure spending in the South East.

 

[mediumsizered]

They've had to sell regional airports (Mackay and Cairns) in order to find majorly overdue health infrastructure and have had to foot extra costs for Brisbane Roads.

Pity they didn't think of this before spending $300 million on a stadium being used by one team only. The Qld Govt fell over themselves in the rush to build Skilled Park & yet still can't work out exactly where at Parkwood they're going to build the new Gold Coast Hospital. I guess with Anna Bligh being the Gold Coast Titan's #1 ticketholder you wouldn't expect anything else.

 

[Father Jack]

Considering Cricket maybe has 4 days in a good year where they can get more than 20,000 people to the Gabba, it's pretty clear the expansion was done for the AFL. That's why the Government signed a deal with them to play any second side in SEQLD there until 2015...

$$$. Now. The Qld Govt has over-reached itself on infrastructure spending in the South East.

5 days for the test, and couple of one-dayers, there's 7 or 8 for the cricket, vs 11 Lions games, plus maybe a final or two every few years. Not entirely purely for the footy I wouldn't have thought.

 

[Subprime]

Considering Cricket maybe has 4 days in a good year where they can get more than 20,000 people to the Gabba, it's pretty clear the expansion was done for the AFL. That's why the Government signed a deal with them to play any second side in SEQLD there until 2015...



$$$. Now. The Qld Govt has over-reached itself on infrastructure spending in the South East.

When Lang Park was redeveloped for Rugby League (using your logic) why didn't the Qld govt put a similar condition in the terms of the redevelopment so that the Titans (or any prospective SEQ franchise) had to play their games there until 2015?

Rugby League would have had little choice but to agree to the terms just as the AFL had little choice if it wanted to get rid of the dog track and the antiquated facility that was the old Gabba.

So I ask again does the Qld govt play hardball with all the footy codes or just Aussie Rules?

(And if you answer 'they're all treated equally' please provide some evidence)

 

[brycey]

They've had to sell regional airports (Mackay and Cairns) in order to find majorly overdue health infrastructure and have had to foot extra costs for Brisbane Roads.

These infrastructure changes were all majorly overdue, with a hugely increasing population money coming in is not the problem. It is the short sightedness of the Government.

However QLD's budget is one of the best run in Australia, recently Bligh was making fun of her NSW counterparts regarding their poor economy as of late...kind've makes sense too when you haven't spent a flipping sent up until recently.

 

[brycey]

It can't be playing well to the people of the Gold Coast. Effectively the QLD Gov't is telling them to get stuffed.

No they're not, the QLD Gov't has given the Gold Coast their teams stadium.

 

[DexterTan]

If the Gold Coast team has to play in Brisbane.

It is NOT A GOLD COAST TEAM. End of Story.

 

[walhawk]

If the GC team starts in 2011, then the AFL owes the Gabba 50 games (the clause is that half of the new team's game to be played there - i.e 11 - 10 home, 1 away).
I predict a deal will be be done where those games will be spread over 10 years.
I.e. 3 or 4 a year plus 11 in whatever year Carrara is redeveloped.

No problem.

 

[wikipediaAFLproject]

If the GC team starts in 2011, then the AFL owes the Gabba 50 games (the clause is that half of the new team's game to be played there - i.e 11 - 10 home, 1 away).
I predict a deal will be be done where those games will be spread over 10 years.
I.e. 3 or 4 a year plus 11 in whatever year Carrara is redeveloped.

No problem.

That is a bloody brillant idea. Have you sent it into gc17.com.au in the suggestion box thing.

I was going to suggest, create a second Brisbane side, but make it fail before it even plays a game, hence the Gold Coast will be the third side. Not sure if that will legally work though.

 

[LIONOFZION]

Bahahahaha Rest In pieces GCAFLFC.

Love it We will hold Vlad ransom for...ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!
Bhahahahahaha

 

[AngelEyes]

I think this will work for the AFL.

I'm sure the people of the Gold Coast will be impressed by the Government's move. They are punting that people won't care but I suspect they will especially the fans of the club who want to see the game. Could this end up being a political issue? I think its very possible that it could highlight government stupidity in the region and end up costing a government votes. Lets not forget that there is possibly another election before the 2011 start time and another possible two-three elections before 2015. Thats alot of time for changes in government and policy. Would you want to deprive a region of the economic benefits of an AFL team? Its potentially pretty juicy.

I don't think it will worry the AFL too much as it gives them more years to fund and build a stadium. Based on Skilled Stadium redevelopment stages 1 & 2 figures you would be looking at $25-30m a stand or $100-120m for a stadium. The AFL has alot of time to get the funding and if so spread the cost out themselves. I would expect that this will allow the AFL to better assess what will be needed for a new team etc. I wouldn't be surprised if the Gold Coast play away games on the Gold Coast either against Victorian clubs. The AFL could also start building new stands one by one and comfortably have it ready soon.

I wouldn't pay out the $40m the Government wants. Put that into a new stadium. The fans of the Gold Coast will understand for a while if the AFL is building them a brand new stadium.

 

[nescri]

Whats in it for the GoldCoast/Queensland to update Carrara. Its alot of money to spend on 16000 individuals. Those being the approx figures of Coasters who follow A.R.
Cricket dosnt seem to be around on the G.C, theres no major festivals held at that stadium....So really, whats in it for the G.Coast to update this stadium?

 

[AngelEyes]

Whats in it for the GoldCoast/Queensland to update Carrara. Its alot of money to spend on 16000 individuals. Those being the approx figures of Coasters who follow A.R.
Cricket dosnt seem to be around on the G.C, theres no major festivals held at that stadium....So really, whats in it for the G.Coast to update this stadium?

The topic of conversation was re: the Gabba.

The economic benefits of an AFL team on the Gold Coast range from football tourism to promotion of the Gold Coast interstate to players spending their money on the Gold Coast. I'm sure a great advertisement for the Gold Coast would be a couple of dirty old stands. How much is the image of the Gold Coast worth? With a new stadium its very possible that a market will be created for football tourism. Where fans go to the Gold Coast watch a game then stay for a bit? What about international tourists who use going to the Gold Coast games as chance to see our Australian game? It has the potential to add another tourist attraction.

AFL has the potential to significantly benefit the Gold Coast. Wasn't the figure $230m per annum in economic benefits each AFL team brings to the table? I'm sure the Queensland Government would be popular for flushing $230m x 5 years ($1.15 billion) down the toilet for the sake of a petty contractual arrangement. Thats alot of benefit for the Gold Coast that could be wasted.

 

[brycey]

I think this will work for the AFL.

I'm sure the people of the Gold Coast will be impressed by the Government's move. They are punting that people won't care but I suspect they will especially the fans of the club who want to see the game. Could this end up being a political issue? I think its very possible that it could highlight government stupidity in the region and end up costing a government votes. Lets not forget that there is possibly another election before the 2011 start time and another possible two-three elections before 2015. Thats alot of time for changes in government and policy. Would you want to deprive a region of the economic benefits of an AFL team? Its potentially pretty juicy.

QLDers are predominately rugby league fans. While this has been making the papers, its barely made a fuss anywhere else.

Do you live remotely near QLD? What would be incredibly stupid is wasting money spent on redeveloping a stadium when our public infrastructure is in crisis. Hospitals, roads, emergency services, water...these are the areas that are more important.

This is a government that will hardly care what a few AFL supporters will think, we recently went through the undemocratic council amalgamations. Now that is public backlash, this is a government that is by far and large the lesser of 2 evils and can be ruthless with what it wants regardless of the consequences due to the lack of a quality opposition.

People protested in masses when amalgamations happened yet the government stuck to its guns, do you think it will change now for the almight AFL.

 

[Ant_]

Haha, there are people who follow AFL in this very thread dopey who are starting to doubt whether this club will exist or not.

It's only just begun bahahahaha.

Is it a inferiority complex that keeps lovers of some English game comming to a Forum for Australian Football?

Never had the slightest incling to bother looking at a Rugby\League\whatever forum.

 

[Ant_]

People protested in masses when amalgamations happened yet the government stuck to its guns, do you think it will change now for the almight AFL.

Difference is protesters don't have the money and influence the AFL commands.

As for the council amalgamations it was long overdue, less bureaucracy the better.

 

[nescri]

The topic of conversation was re: the Gabba.

"conversation"... lol

 

[brycey]

Difference is protesters don't have the money and influence the AFL commands.

As for the council amalgamations it was long overdue, less bureaucracy the better.

Maybe in Victoria but here in QLD the proof is in the pudding. The Premier has snubbed meeting with AFL officials in the past and sent out cronies.

AFL do have the money, which is what the QLD government wants ($40 million in fact) but influence, not a chance.

 

[Ant_]

Maybe in Victoria but here in QLD the proof is in the pudding. The Premier has snubbed meeting with AFL officials in the past and sent out cronies.

AFL do have the money, which is what the QLD government wants ($40 million in fact) but influence, not a chance.

Money has a way of influencing government. As we both know QLD has long history of it.

 

[Gman]

If the QLD Government want 5 games a year played at Carrara stadium, then that is what they will get!

Why not sell 5 extra games per year and have them played at Carrara thus playing the so called 5 games a year there as expected?

EG

Melbourne, Bulldogs, Kangas, Hawthorn (do anything for a buck), in fact most teams can be a part of the rotation

Melb vs Brisb @ the Gabba
Bulldogs vs Brisb @ the Gabba
Kangas vs Melb @ the Gabba
Gold Coast vs Brisb : 2011 and beyond
Gold Coast vs Hawthorn : 2011 and beyond
Rich vs Bris @ the Gabba
etc

- The AFL can fund these clubs from the $40 Million supposedly imposed fine from the QLD Government, therefore ensuring the $40 million goes back into the clubs

- Also Aussie Rules will get extra exposure in QLD

This way Gold Coast start up and play games at the Gold Coast stadium from inception

Win Win situation for everyone