another article

Heres another article........I guesss one way or the other this is news.

AFL marks Nerang land
11Jun08

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has expressed strong interest in buying a 42ha riverside site at Nerang to build a stadium for the proposed Gold Coast AFL team.

There are a number of sites under consideration, but it appears the Nerang riverfront site along Nerang-Broadbeach Road just east of the railway station is the AFL's preferred option.

For the past 12 months, the AFL has refused to comment on its Coast stadium position.

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But developer Noel Mewett, who co-owns the Nerang site with Coast-based City Pacific, said Mr Demetriou had spoken to him about buying the land.

The former Carlton VFL-AFL player has drawn up plans for a stadium on the site, as well as for his original proposed development -- a lavish $350 million over-50s resort.

City Pacific is also tipped to jump on board with a design proposal for the council's $400 million green-friendly headquarters.

"I went to a (GC17) launch at the Minter Ellison law firm last Wednesday and I had a couple of discussions with Andrew Demetriou just in relation to the land," said Mr Mewett.

"There was an inference that the land was of interest to them and I am in the process of looking at a couple of very, very exciting options for not only the stadium, but potentially the Gold Coast City Council chambers' super centre as well."

Mr Mewett said he would continue to be in regular contact with the AFL.

"I am waiting on some calls back from them now and I may even fly to Melbourne soon," he said.

"(The AFL) are up here on a weekly basis so we will be engaging in some pretty active discussions in the next week or two."

The AFL will move quickly over the coming month to secure its site for the stadium now the State Government has agreed to tear up the contract tying the incoming Coast team to the Gabba until the end of 2015.

As revealed in The Gold Coast Bulletin earlier this week, the Bligh Government will allow the fledgling club to play on the Coast if the AFL funds the new stadium.

But if the AFL receives no funding support it will be spending up to $200 million on the new stadium.

Sustainable City Future chairman Cr Peter Young said a Helensvale site owned by Pat Buckler was an early favourite with its close proximity to commercial and transport services.

Cr Young said he remained a supporter of the Nerang site and said commercial and residential developments in the precinct could re-coup money for the AFL.

"I believe that the Helensvale site is the favourite because it is close to the rail line," said Cr Young.

"Though my preference has always been near Nerang.

"There is a growing emphasis towards transport orientated developments and there would be plenty of potential there.

"A mix of residential and commercial developments within a stadium precinct could help re-coup the costs."

The council advertised expressions of interest for its new council headquarters in the Weekend Bulletin.

They are receptive to joint proposals for a stadium and council headquarters package.

The third option to redevelop the stadium at Carrara would be the easiest option but the site poses major transport issues.

It is estimated it would cost $10 million just to tear down the existing sub-standard facilities at Carrara before work could start on the new structure.

Mr Mewett said there were many reasons it would be beneficial for the AFL to go with his site rather than redevelop Gold Coast Stadium.

"It is the only other alternative if they don't do something here," he said.

"But the problem they have got there though is the transit link is still too far away from the railway station."

The 42ha Nerang site was bought by Mr Mewett and City Pacific for $28 million last year.

The AFL will have to move quickly if it wants the site as Mr Mewett and City Pacific are still planning to build an upmarket over-50s residential project on the land.

Preliminary earthworks for the $350 million project could be three to six months away, depending on council approval.

Mr Demetriou yesterday confirmed he held talks with Mr Mewett at the GC17 fundraiser last week but did not wish to comment further.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/06/11/12304_gold-coast-news.html