Gold Coast Council Reviews Robina Stadium, Plans Arena Upgrades

At its 10 March 2026 full council meeting the City of Gold Coast received an update on the Invest Gold Coast Arena project and considered a review of Robina Stadium event operations. Both items sit within the council's infrastructure and events work program, which the meeting agenda listed under general business and other business. The session also covered the Norwell Valley Master Plan update and the draft Revenue Policy for 2026-27.

Infrastructure and events items advance

The arena update and stadium review form part of the council's ongoing management of major venues that host concerts, sports and community events. Robina Stadium operations directly affect staffing levels for match days and large gatherings, while the arena project involves planning for a facility that would expand capacity for similar activities across the city. The Norwell Valley Master Plan update addresses land-use planning in a growth corridor that supports future commercial and residential development.

These matters reached the council after earlier committee stages. The Transport and Infrastructure Committee met on 3 March 2026, and the Economy, Tourism and Events Committee met on 26 February 2026. Their minutes were presented and noted during the open session of the full council meeting, which ran for more than five hours and included multiple closed sessions for commercial-in-confidence discussion.

Revenue settings and local services

Councillors also considered the draft Revenue Policy 2026-27. This policy sets the framework for rates, fees and charges that fund day-to-day services such as waste collection, parks maintenance and community facilities. Any changes flow through to household and business costs in the coming financial year.

The meeting opened with a condolence motion for local fisherman Ashley Haye, who was reported missing on 5 February. It later included recognition of ten years' service by two councillors and life membership of the Gold Coast Show Society for Mayor Tom Tate. These items were recorded in the public agenda and livestreamed by the Council of the City of Gold Coast on its official YouTube channel.

Further consideration of the arena and master plan items is scheduled to occur at future council meetings once additional information is prepared. The draft Revenue Policy will proceed through the standard budget process ahead of the 2026-27 financial year.