AFL

Gold Coast Council agrees to stadium deal

Austadiums • Tuesday 31st March 2009

The final hurdle facing Gold Coast's confirmation as the AFL's 17th licence appeared to be cleared last night after a local council meeting.

After a submission in person from AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, Gold Coast City Council moved toward agreeing to transfer ownership of Carrara Stadium to the State Government, freeing the AFL to lease the ground from the Government, which three weeks ago committed $60 million to a partial redevelopment.

Demetriou was accompanied by his No. 2, Gillon McLachlan, in the meeting, chaired by Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke.

"I made the analogy that this is like getting over the last hurdle, and now it is just a run to the tape," Clarke said yesterday.

"We've got over all those water jumps and steeplechase hurdles . . . a lot of people invested a lot of time. Demetriou and McLachlan made a presentation, and council virtually endorsed what they were saying, recognised what a great asset the AFL licence would be.

"There are a few negotiation points now to be had with the State Government, as the State Government is virtually taking over our asset, and we hope by Friday council can agree to the principles of the agreement."

Gold Coast council has also committed $20 million to the stadium's stage one redevelopment, costed at $130 million, provided the Federal Labor Government also contributes.

At last night's meeting, councillors agreed to exchange land housing Carrara for another package of state-owned land.

The AFL Commission last met on March 20 but deferred a decision on the Gold Coast licence, pending the result of the Queensland state election.

Labor Premier Anna Bligh's win was extremely well received by the AFL, as she'd entered the poll with the ground redevelopment as an election promise.

The Liberal National Party's Lawrence Springborg refused to commit finances to Carrara, to be the Gold Coast home ground.

Demetriou will today present guernseys to the Gold Coast team for this year's under-18 TAC Cup. Gold Coast will play in the senior VFL competition in 2010 and in the AFL by 2011.

People First Stadium

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The final hurdle facing Gold Coast's confirmation as the AFL's 17th licence appeared to be cleared last night after a local council meeting.
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