THE Queensland government's announcement of $60 million towards the cost of a 23,000-seat stadium for Carrara would appear to have removed any doubt the AFL will grant its 17th licence to the Gold Coast.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou all but confirmed in a statement released on Monday afternoon that the licence would be granted to the GC17 bid consortium when the AFL Commission meets later this month.
"The funding announcement will pave the way for a final decision by the AFL Commission on the Gold Coast licence," the statement read, adding that Demetriou expected the item to be 'top of the agenda' at the mid-March meeting.
Ahead of the March 21 state election, Queensland premier Anna Bligh on Monday took her campaign to the tourist haven to announce that, if re-elected, her government would go further into debt to build the $130 million AFL stadium.
Queensland's share of the cost would be $60 million, Gold Coast City Council has pledged $20 million, with the AFL and Federal government to make up the difference.
"If these conditions are fulfilled - and I have every reason to believe they will be - Gold Coasters will get a new Aussie Rules team to cheer and a new home to cheer them in," Ms Bligh said.
The AFL has already committed to establish and underwrite a team this season in the Victorian-based TAC under-18 competition under senior coach Guy McKenna, the first step in developing a club to be ready for AFL participation by 2011.
The guarantee of funding to upgrade the Carrara facility from a current capacity of 8000 to 25,000, as well as improving a number of player and administration facilities, would seem to be the final piece in the puzzle.
Demetriou stopped short of saying the John Witheriff-led GC17 team would get the nod from the AFL Commission, and also said discussions with the Federal government over securing their support for the project were ongoing.
He said the key point in securing the Queensland government's funding was the importance of local sporting infrastructure in attracting sports and events that can generate ongoing jobs and economic activity.
“The Gold Coast community, local businesses and sports-lovers have all provided extraordinary support for the Gold Coast Football Club because they recognise that, as well as a sporting team that encourages young people to be active and healthy, there are strong economic benefits of a side on the Gold Coast bringing in tourism dollars and jobs,” Demetriou said.
“The key discussion point with the State Government was what the redevelopment of Gold Coast Stadium would mean in terms of generating both immediate and long-term jobs on the Gold Coast for Gold Coast families."
According to the League's statement, a Queensland study on the economic impact of a Gold Coast-based AFL side found that when the club was up and running at full capacity it would generate more than 400 local jobs and economic activity of $34 million a year.
Over 92 per cent of this would flow to non-AFL businesses.
“A local club competing in a national competition and playing out of a quality stadium, bring tourists, economic activity and jobs, particularly during the quieter winter months,” Demetriou said.
“I also want to thank John Witheriff and his team for harnessing the support of more than 42,000 people who have given their support to the formation of an AFL team on the Gold Coast.
"This decision is a vindication of the support of Gold Coast families," he said.
Witheriff said Monday's announcement was a significant step toward the Gold Coast becoming the AFL's 17th club.
"All the pieces are falling into place for a successful outcome," he said.
"We believe the AFL are close to making a decision and the commitment from the Queensland government to support AFL on the Gold Coast and the local community is very encouraging."
