The Gold Coast Titans have welcomed a combined $25 million investment from the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments towards the club’s planned High Performance Centre and Community Hub at Emerald Lakes, Carrara, marking a significant milestone in the development of a new home for the club and its growing programs.
The Federal Government has committed $15 million, with the Queensland Government contributing a further $10 million.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announces Titans High Performance Centre funding
The federal commitment was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at The Courier Mail's Future Brisbane event today, building on the City of Gold Coast’s commitment of the Emerald Lakes site.
This was closely followed by the Crisafulli Government confirming their own $10 million contribution, bringing all three levels of government together in support of the project.
The facility is designed to benefit elite athletes, community sport and the next generation of sporting talent across the region, while providing the infrastructure needed to support the continued growth of the Titans’ NRL, NRLW and Netball programs and help establish a more sustainable operating model for the years ahead.
The facility will bring the club’s national sporting programs together in an integrated high-performance environment, supporting athlete development, performance, wellbeing and Future Titans pathways programs.
It will also provide a home for the Para sport's powerlifting program and Titans’ community programs which will create opportunities for greater collaboration with sporting, health and education partners, extending the club’s impact beyond the field and court.
Titans owners Rebecca and Brett Frizelle said the investment reflected a shared commitment to building a stronger club and delivering lasting benefits for the Gold Coast.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Albanese Government, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Crisafulli Government and Premier David Crisafulli for this significant investment in the long-term future of our athletes and the wider Gold Coast community,” they said.
“This collective $25 million commitment, building on the Emerald Lakes site committed by the City of Gold Coast, is a significant investment in the future of this project and brings us closer to delivering a world-class facility.
“Establishing a sustainable high-performance centre for the Gold Coast Titans has been a key pillar of the club’s long-term strategy, and this investment is a significant step in realising that vision.
“We are also excited by the opportunity to partner with Para sport and its powerlifting program, helping provide athletes with the facilities and support they need as they build towards elite international competition. This is exactly the type of legacy we want this facility to deliver for the Gold Coast and Australian sport more broadly.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that community and high-performance centres like this are increasing pathways for elite talent and ensuring benefit for the entire community.
“The Gold Coast community love their sport and the Titans are an important part of that," The Prime Minister said.
“Our $15 million investment will help support a world-class facility for the Gold Coast Titans to develop the next generation of rugby league talent and open up more opportunities for women and girls.
“With Brisbane 2032 approaching, we want to make sure our athletes have the best facilities to train and compete.
“This investment is about backing sport at every level from children having their first run on the field with their teammates to athletes representing the green and gold on the world stage.”
Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells said the Albanese Government was proud to invest in centres like this that will help get more people into sport, particularly women and girls.”
“This will be more than a high-performance and training centre; it will be a place for the community, where the next generation of talent will develop and where women and girls will have access to an amazing facility,” Minister Wells said.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the investment would deliver a lasting legacy for 2032 and beyond.
“We are securing Queensland’s place as the home of Australian sport and ensuring all of Queensland benefits from the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“This is an important strategic investment in Queensland’s high-performance sporting infrastructure, delivering a contemporary facility that will support the Titans, elite athletes and the broader Gold Coast community in the lead up to 2032. Minister Mander said.
“Through genuine partnership across all levels of government, this initiative will provide enduring benefits to Queenslanders for decades to come and a long-term legacy for 2032 and beyond.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the announcement, building on Council’s support for the project through its commitment of the Emerald Lakes site.
“I applaud the Albanese Federal Government and the Crisafulli State Government on their support for this game-changing project for the Gold Coast Titans and Para sport,” he said.
“Council got the ball rolling by providing the land for the project and this is another great ‘city deal’ where three levels of government work together to get outcomes for our city.
“I’m proud to lead a city where nobody gets left behind and I’m so pleased to see that Para powerlifters will be training in the high-performance gym on their road 2032 glory in a home Paralympic and Olympic Games.
“The Gold Coast Titans have put a lot of time and money into rugby league and I know that Para sport is also a passion for the Frizelle family. I acknowledge this vision and I’m thrilled to see this come together for the city.”
Titans Chairman Dennis Watt said the combined commitment demonstrated the value of all three levels of government working together to deliver a lasting legacy for the Gold Coast.
“To have all three levels of government come together in support of this project is something we are incredibly proud of and thankful for. It reflects a shared commitment to the future of sport and the wider Gold Coast community," he said.
“This collective support brings us closer to delivering a facility that will benefit the Titans and the wider community for generations to come.
“I also want to acknowledge Para Sport and Cameron Murray for their collaborative approach and work with us to explore opportunities that can deliver meaningful outcomes for the powerlifting program and the wider community.”
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell added that the project had been a long-standing strategic priority for the club and would play a critical role in supporting its next phase of development.
“The development of a world-class, integrated high-performance facility has been a key priority in our long-term roadmap, and this investment is an important milestone in progressing that vision," he said.
“As the Titans continue to grow across the NRL, NRLW, Netball and our community programs, having the right facilities and infrastructure in place is essential to supporting our people, developing talent and building a sustainable future.
“Bringing our programs together in one location will create a stronger environment for collaboration, performance and development, while enabling us to connect more closely with the communities we represent.
“Our focus is on building a club that can compete consistently at the highest level, develop the next generation of athletes and make a meaningful contribution to the Gold Coast for decades to come.”
The project will place a strong focus on community integration, including support for women and girls in sport, shared sporting infrastructure, and other community providers.
More than 100 jobs are expected to be required during construction, with more than 145 ongoing roles supported by the facility.
The proposed facility is expected to include:
- Dedicated high-performance and change facilities for the Titans’ NRL and NRLW programs.
- Three full-size rugby league fields, with opportunities for community use.
- A full-size indoor netball court.
- A high-performance gymnasium and elite recovery facilities.
- An on-site café, with public viewing opportunities overlooking the club’s training fields.
- Shared community rooms and facilities, supporting collaboration with local sporting and community organisations.
- Weightlifting facilities for elite Para sports training
Further details on the facility’s final design and inclusions will be confirmed as planning progresses.
The Titans also acknowledged the role their Members and fans have played in shaping the club’s growth and future ambitions. Their continued support underpins the club’s commitment to building a sustainable organisation that represents the Gold Coast with pride.
As the project progresses, the club will look to provide opportunities for Members, fans and the wider community to be involved in the development of the facility and help shape its future. Further details will be shared as these opportunities are confirmed.
The club will continue working with government and community partners as planning and delivery arrangements progress, with further details, including the anticipated commencement of construction, to be confirmed in due course.
