Ipswich City Council supports proposed national rugby league expansion in the western corridor

16 June 2020

Ipswich City Council is right behind a Western Corridor NRL bid.

Mayor Teresa Harding said it made perfect sense for the NRL to turn to rugby league heartland in Ipswich and base its 17th team here.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys has raised the topic of expansion again, saying SEQ could have another team in the national competition by 2022.

Queensland Cup sides Ipswich Jets, Redcliffe and Easts, along with the Brisbane Bombers franchise are likely to put forward proposals. Mr V’landys said the new club would require $10 million to set itself up.

The local bid was thrust back into the spotlight during footy finals last September, with league legend Jonathon Thurston adding his support.

Ipswich is one of the country’s fastest growing areas with population expected to double from its current 230,000 to more than 500,000 by 2040.

“We have a strong rugby league history and tradition in Ipswich and our community definitely supports an NRL team based in Ipswich. We definitely have the means to make this happen,” Mayor Harding said.

“An Ipswich-based NRL bid makes sense. We could have the infrastructure in place, support services and a solid fan base. Something like this could kick-start the economy and set us up for the future.”

The mayor met with members of the Western Corridor bid team yesterday. They discussed future plans, the path back to the field for Ipswich Jets post-Covid pandemic, and the mayor’s strong family ties to the sport.

The Western Corridor bid – first floated a decade ago – is based on a community ownership model, with fans buying shares, and has been well supported by the community, including Ipswich City Council.

In May last year, council committed $10 million – with conditions – towards redevelopment of North Ipswich Reserve Stadium into a 20,000-seat facility with the clear intent of supporting the entry of local teams to national sporting competitions.

The commitment is subject to equal contributions from the State Government and Federal Government, and other conditions.

“Without the appropriate facilities, both the Greater Ipswich Hyundai A-League expansion bid and the Western Corridor NRL bid team will be unable to enter into the national league competitions,” a report to council said.

Council is preparing a business case to help with project development and secure future government funding support.

The stadium redevelopment would cost up to $220 million and could be done in five stages.

A North Ipswich stadium and entertainment precinct was one of the top five projects included in Mayor Harding’s capital investment vision for 2020 and beyond.

“North Ipswich Reserve Sports and Entertainment Precinct would provide a vital piece of community infrastructure and a focal point for the sporting community, provide ongoing opportunity to attract and secure high profile events, and would stimulate investment that would promote economic growth, employment opportunities and secure critical transport infrastructure for the region,” she said.

The North Ipswich Reserve Sports and Entertainment Precinct and the Brisbane Lions’ facility currently under construction at Springfield Central also align with planning of major venues for a potential SEQ 2032 Olympic Games bid. Ipswich has given its backing to the Olympics idea.

“We need to get on with the job of building, creating investment opportunities and preparing for a very prosperous future for Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.

“And we need to be investigating all avenues to create direct and indirect jobs to ensure our local workforce has the greatest opportunity to be productive.

“New jobs will be crucial to expediting economic recovery and a boost in infrastructure investment will go a long way to enabling that.

“We have produced league icons such as Allan Langer and the Walters brothers. A NRL team based here in Ipswich is the perfect opportunity to continue the city’s league legacy and produce a new generation of superstars.”

Mr V’landys said league had more financial certainty after signing a new TV deal.

“In my eyes, expansion is on the agenda and I still think Brisbane needs a second team to dominate Queensland,” he said.

“The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t ruined the expansion plans at all.

“I am very much attracted to another team in Queensland. There is a need for it.”

Ipswich Jets chairman and head of the Western Corridor NRL bid Steven Johnson said he would seek a meeting with Mr V’landys to further discuss expansion plans.

Mr Johnson, speaking on 7 News this week, said the region, which covered Ipswich, Logan, Toowoomba and other country areas, was better placed in terms of player numbers than rival bids.

“History shows that this is the heartland of rugby league,” he said.