Queensland residents draw to the attention of the House the lack of a suitable mid-sized rectangular stadium in Brisbane. Brisbane has only one major rectangular sporting stadium available for use, Suncorp Stadium. Suncorp is used for both sports and major concerts. Additionally, mandatory pitch and stadium maintenance due to the multi-purpose use of the stadium has led to significant fixture congestion at the site and dangerous playing conditions for athletes. These issues not only led to Brisbane not being able to host the Australia Cup final in October 2023, but also, due to concerts recently held at the venue, the pitch was in a seriously degraded condition during a Brisbane Roar double-header on 26 November 2023. The Professional Footballers Australia Association released a statement on 27 November 2023 calling the playing surface unacceptable and called for swift action on the issue. 

Suncorp Stadium is a magnificent stadium but cannot handle the demand for sport in Brisbane. A second rectangular stadium is required. Residents suggest that Perry Park, in Bowen Hills, be selected as a site to upgrade to a mid-sized rectangular stadium. With upgrades, Perry Park could serve the Men and Women’s Brisbane Roar teams, the Brisbane Strikers, and Brisbane United, currently bidding to join the National Second Division. Further, this could see Suncorp open to more non-sporting events. 

Your petitioners. therefore, request the House to do all in its power to investigate and construct, as a matter of high priority, a mid-sized rectangular stadium for football at Perry Park.