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The City of Gold Coast has revealed plans for a new $480 million indoor arena, with Southport chosen as the home for the indoor arena and event precinct.

Seen as key to plans the city’s events economy and potentially provide essential new infrastructure for the Brisbane 2023 Olympics, the council has forecast that new venue could add $700 million into the economy over a decade by attracting more sporting and entertainment acts.

Looking for support for the concept, the City is calling for public submissions on the proposal, planned for a site at Carey Park overlooking the Southport Broadwater.

While the arena has yet to secure a commercial backer, the council says the community consultation process will be the first step towards shaping up plans for the site before opening a broader conversation with the investment community.

The move is also part of the city’s masterplan for Southport announced earlier this year to revitalise the Gold Coast’s official CBD.

After engaging with the live music industry last year to identify potential sites for the arena, the council announced in May this year that it had given “in principle support” for the new venue.

However, the location created immediate controversy among locals with many concerned that the arena would absorb already scarce public open space in the city while also impacting car parking capacity for the CBD.

Commenting on the proposal, Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate told The Gold Coast Bulletin “we know the city is missing out on opportunities for elite sport and international gigs by not having a venue like this.

“And this site makes sense to me. It is located close to accommodation, public transport, food and beverage services and recreational activities which makes it a natural fit.

“But we want to know what (the public) think. Not just about the preferred sites, but about the types of events you would want to see there.”

Mayor Tate says that the aim is to have construction underway on the project by 2026/27 for completion ahead of the Brisbane Olympics, as the city has also identified the facility as a potential venue for some of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games sports and culture events.

He says that the City plans to liaise with the Queensland Government, which owns the site, to “explore the most appropriate tenure to support an arena outcome”.

Key stakeholders in Australia’s live entertainment and venue management industry including ASM Global’s Harvey Lister and former Live Nation Australasia Chief Executive Roger Field have previoulsy called for a 10,000 seat arena on the Gold Coast.

The project will be open to public consultation until 9th December.

Images: Concept designs for the proposed Gold Coast Arena at Southport.

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