And a Merry Christmas to you too Ms Bligh!

I think that is an eminently sensible decision. We need a hospital not a new sports stadium, so keep on grandstanding Mr local member.

But as long as she gets her prescious stadium on the Gold Coast. Appears Anna doesn't give a rats about this coast, only the other.

What can you expect.

The Mayor of this fine region goes off to tell the premier that he does not want any growth on the coast and does nothing to encourage business or industry in the area (oh I am sorry he did say we could become farmers) .

You don't have the population you don't get the infrastructure (Hospital included). Simple as that. No matter who is in power at any Govt level. You need the growth and expenditure on employment to recieve the infrastructure.

I wait with baited breath for comment (ie what sort of spin they can put on this) from Council.

Thye mucked about approving not approving then approving again for so long.

Someone in government is thinking clearly at last.

Whoever briefed the Minister on this should be promoted.

Whoever briefed the Minister on Traveston should be drawn and quartered.

I think it's a shame there is no large sporting venue on the coast, but then I would expect the government to put funds towards hospitals and other essential infrastructure first.

If the stadium is such a sure thing, and is so needed, let the sports clubs and the RSLs and the businesses that would benefit all chip in to build it.

You can't compare the hospital and the stadium.
The stadium was only looking for $5 million to add to the $5 million from the federal govt and council which had already been committed.

$5 million for the hospital would barely build the carpark.

These are two key infrastructure items which are badly needed.

The Council claims events like the recent PGA bring in $$ to the Coast, yet the real truth is quite different. The PGA did little to contribute to the local economy. Even the catering for the PGA saw valuable $ go outside the Coast.... the pies & sausage rolls were from Perth, the sandwiches were from the Gold Coast, and the biscuits were from Byron Bay. I am sure any local business would have loved to be able to cater for the event.

On reading through the above story, it again highlights the need for the government to put in order their priorities and funding of sport should be at the bottom. If we were to have a look back over the years that the ALP have controlled this state's finances, much money has been wasted. I would endorse the comment from Oneputt from Maroochydore, Queensland. The decision by the government not to provide funding is welcomed. The Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie should be reminded that this state is in a financial mess.

It was never going to happen with the current State Govt. in power.

Great News.

I do not need an increase in my rates to pay for a stadium i will never use..

Once again, the Coast will continue to pay by constantly electing LNP opposition members instead of getting on board with Labor. Sorry my Bleijie, get busy and start promoting the hospital that we will all use and not some sports stadium that will be an ongoing burden on Ratepayers.

Kiwinoz from Caloundra West, what sought of comment is that, so people should elect an incompetent government just to get on board... that is how corruption starts, just by accepting things.

Oneputt - this was never a choice of one or the other. The funds earmarked for the stadium will not be redirected into the hospital.

Kiwinoz - the hospital we will all use? hardly. and i'm pretty sure your rates contribute to other services and facilities you don't use. that's the whole point, you contribute to the cost of running the entire community, not the bits that suit you.

the stadium project would have been money well spent, but i guess as far as the state goverment is concerned, there is a half billion dollar or so hole out traveston way that needs filling.

For comparison just remember that Canberra has only about 50,000 more people than the sunshine coast.....

Don't think of anyone else.. Kiwinoz. and others...just think of yourselves.

What about the people who actually play sport and enjoy it/the money this would generate for the community/the ...dare I say it...enjoyment...it would give for so many to see their favourite sports stars and footy teams here.

Guess we'll just have to put up with the temporary stands and the portable toilets for years to come.

Happy days indeed!

Once again - back flip Bligh!! What will come next for our region???

You all have very short memories and I particularly disagree with NW. Wake up!

They have just LOST $265 Million !!! "Unrecoverable costs", wasn't it? Can't account for it. Hello....?!
Their first priority should be to FIND IT! Account for it!

The stadium only wants $5 million - build a hospital with the 260.

And then there's the 860 million already blown on Traveston.

Anyone who thinks that getting knocked back on a piddling $5 million is not a very pointed snub - maybe even a personal vendetta - is kidding themselves.

Must have a SHORT MEMORY......(some of you will hear the oils). Wake up!

'For comparison just remember that Canberra has only about 50,000 more people than the sunshine coast.....'

Yep.

It has an ARL Team, Super Rugby Team, National Basketball and 'Football' Teams. National standard sporting facilities. Nationally ranked universities, 21st century employment. Decent hospital facilities.

There are some major differences.

It's not scared of ideas and change and living in the 21st century. And it doesn't have the inferiority complex that hides behind the 'lifestyle' excuse. Which is why many from here go there.

And let's not also forgat that Canberra is almost exclusively inhabited by commonwealth public servants and foreign diplomats.

It's a shame that the State Govt has elected to pull funding for the Statdium. But I am not going to lose any sleep over it.

I am more concerned at the lack of adequate hospital services, public transport etc.

'And let's not also forgat that Canberra is almost exclusively inhabited by commonwealth public servants and foreign diplomats.'

Perhaps 30 years ago. Not now. A convenient red herring.

But in any event why shouldn't we aspire to similar standards?

A leftist utopia that Bob was trying to achieve in Noosa is unobtainable on a larger scale.
The two problems we have here is very little primary industry in comparison to regions such as the Darling Downs/Toowoomba, Northern Rivers/Gold Coast and an influx of non income producing retirees from other states effectively utilising our infrastructure without having contributed to it.
We as a region Desperately need a council prepared to participate and work with sustainable growth advocates and members of the private sector providing jobs and prosperity.
Pressuring state government for basic infrastructure project funding from a Mayor totally against growth is like a group of hookers attempting to convince Tiger to give up sex.
Water rights management was to be and still will be a huge cash cow to any state government the recent Traveston "setback" has stripped hundreds of millions from the coffers and many years of riding on the mining cash cow has left budget projections severely out of kilter.
This problem will not be solved overnight and injection of capital in a sporting project within a Non Labor region is a conundrum i am afraid our council is not committed to or equipped to handle.

Yes, Brianbarry, CORRECT, all I hear up here and down the Coast is how we don't want anything because of some endangered "red neck thingy" or it won't look good in our back yard, then many bleet loudly when they get nothing, sorry guys, that is what you manifested, you want nothing and you are getting it.

BrianBarry123 and Sully you are right on the money. What does the Mayor expect when he treats the Govt like he does?