Cut transport levy by half

Sports fans shouldn’t pay more than a cup of coffee

TRANSPORT levies dished out by Stadiums Queensland should be slashed in half to stop Gold Coast fans “being taken advantage of”, an independent report recommends.

Football clubs spend a million dollars-plus annually getting fans to Titans games at Cbus Super Stadium and Suns matches at Metricon Stadium.

The existing levy is $6-$7 per ticket to cover both transport and security costs but it should be more than halved, the Stadium Taskforce report to the State Government will say.

The existing cost can add up to $60,000 for a single game where less than 10,000 people attend. The cost is imposed despite the fact many Gold Coast ticketholders drive to venues.

In a bid to address affordability concerns, Taskforce chairman John Lees will propose a cap of $3.10 per spectator – less than the price of a cup of coffee. Mr Lees, a former transport company CEO, said he was shocked by transport fees charged by Gold Coast operators and believed that added to the high levy fees.

“I was alarmed. Looking at prices on the Gold Coast, punters are getting a raw deal and are being taken advantage of,” he said.

“In my report I strongly encourage better negotiations and deals can be made.

“In the end people shouldn’t be profiting from fans going to watch their local team play.”

Mr Lees said there was a marked difference between costs in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

“We met with the 45 different stakeholders as part of the first round of consultation, what stood out to me was the cost difference in transport in the South East,” he said.

“For Brisbane commuters there is a really easy transition to the stadiums at Milton or Woolloongabba, so the cost remains fairly low.

“But when it comes to the Gold Coast the stadiums are outside of the major transport connection on the Western Corridor, which means you need different solutions for the venues in those areas.

“As we know on the Gold Coast it is so much harder getting out to Robina, which means those hiring the stadiums are paying more.”

Mr Lees said the proposal had already been discussed with Queensland Sports Minister Mick de Brenni, who was receptive to the idea.

“The cost of providing services in Brisbane aren’t fully cost recovered by the Broncos and the Reds but the Gold Coast operates under a full user paid cost recovery model,” he said.

“The same rules that apply in Brisbane should apply.”

Suns chief executive Mark Evans said he agreed with the levy cap plan.

“Philosophically we all agreed transport prices shouldn’t cost more than a cup of coffee,” Mr Evans said.

“As a club we have always absorbed the cost of transport as part of the ticket price, instead of adding it on as we have seen others do.

“This recommendation will probably deliver a pretty good saving of $1-$2 per person.”

Titans CEO Graham Annesley also supported the cap.

“Any outcome that minimises transport costs will be welcomed,” he said.