Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles approved the $35 million proposal last week, ensuring Queensland’s spiritual home of rugby undergoes a major facelift.

Queensland Ruby Union has been doggedly pursuing the redevelopment plans against opposition of local residents worried about the impact of the redevelopment on parking and traffic.

Largely founded by the federal and state governments, the redevelopment is seen as crucial to ensuring Ballymore remains at the forefront of rugby development in Australia.

The QRU recently dropped plans for a large commercial and office precinct to be part of the redevelopment masterplan.

Mr Miles has granted the project a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation, allowing the QRU to press ahead with construction without the need for council approvals.

The new National Rugby Training Centre will become the headquarters or women’s rugby in Australia and house high-tech sports performance facilities. The project also includes a new 3000 seat grandstand to replace Ballymore’s McLean stand, which was demolished last year.

“The Ballymore National Rugby Training Centre and New McLean Stand will revitalise the precinct for the 21st Century while continuing to honour the great history of the ground,” the QRU said in material promoting the project.

“The new Ballymore masterplan futureproofs the precinct with spaces for sports health and education, an expansion zone for new sporting programs such as the Wallabies and exciting new community sports facilities.

“Linking with the almost 80ha Newmarket Sports Precinct across Enoggera Creek, the redeveloped Ballymore has the potential to become part of a new Olympic precinct for the 2032 Games.”

Ballymore has been earmarked as a venue fo the Olympic hockey competition as well as a training facility for Rugby Sevens and sport climbing.