Suns warn: Stadium fee hike will ruin us

THE Gold Coast Suns have admitted they will not survive unless the Queensland Government slashes the exorbitant stadium fees that are crippling the state’s biggest sporting clubs.

The Suns’ stunning admission comes as the LNP last night launched an attack on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, claiming fans were being ripped off and labelling Labor’s treatment of AFL, NRL, A-League and rugby clubs as a “debacle”.

As revealed yesterday, the Gold Coast Titans are weighing-up their long-term tenancy at Robina due to Stadiums Queensland hiring fees which soared to $1.3 million last year.

The shockwaves have been felt by the Titans’ major competitor on the Gold Coast, with Suns chairman Tony Cochrane conceding for the first time that the cost of playing at Metricon Stadium could bankrupt the club.

A Sunday Mail and CourierMail investigation revealed the Suns’ perilous financial position and Cochrane fears Stadiums Queensland hiring fees could drive the final nail into the club’s coffin.

“Certainly we as a club take our responsibility to the community seriously and these (stadium) costs are a massive burden to our club which are not sustainable,” he said.

“The Gold Coast Suns welcomes the Premier’s initiative to find real solutions to this ongoing issue.”