Gold Coast bid gets Government
backing

The Gold Coast's chances of re-joining the NRL competition has been boosted with the news that the Queensland Government has approved funding for a new multi-million stadium.

The funding will be used to either re-develop the currently unsuitable Carrara Stadium or to build a brand new stadium at Robina. It has upped the ante on rival franchises Wellington and the Central Coast who are also bidding for entry in an expanded 2007 competition.

Gold Coast franchise CEO Michael Searle said today's developments strengthened their position dramatically and provided the NRL with an assurance that they would have a ground suitable to host home games.

The decision on where the stadium will be made in the coming weeks and be left up to the Gold Coast City Council to decide. With a capacity of around 25,000 it could come with a price tag of around $80 million.