A review of Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics and Paralympics venues has recommended ensuring the Games leave a legacy in the city.
Former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk, who led the review, recommended a new stadium be built in inner-city Victoria Park and the Gabba Stadium redevelopment be scrapped.
The Queensland government agreed with “most of it” and accepted 27 of the 30 recommendations.
So, will Brisbane have a new stadium for the Olympic and Paralympic Games?
The government has “ruled out” the review’s recommendation to build a new stadium at Victoria Park in Brisbane.
Mr Miles said it was rejected because it is a more expensive option.
“When Queenslanders are struggling with housing and other costs, I cannot justify to them spending $3.4 billion on a new stadium,” he said.
Brisbane architect Peter Edwards said he is “mystified about why that seems to be so politically fraught”.
“We have to have a low-cost Games in 2032, which is our once-ever moment to present ourselves on the global stage,” he said.
What will happen to Brisbane’s Gabba stadium?
Mr Miles said the “iconic Gabba will always be a stadium”, but the rebuild will not proceed.
He said too much has been invested in building public transport around the stadium.
“I don’t see a scenario where a future government demolishes the Gabba,” Mr Miles said.
He said the stadium will undergo a “refurbishment” ahead of the Games, in consultation with stakeholders.
AFL and Cricket Australia will no longer be displaced from the Gabba, and East Brisbane State School will not need to vacate its current site by the end of 2025.
The stadium will also no longer host the opening and closing ceremonies.
What about Lang Park?
Brisbane’s Lang Park is already the “spirit of rugby league” and now will be the “Olympic stadium”.
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Mr Miles said the stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2032 Games.
“I’m biased, but I’ve always thought it was the best rectangular field in the world,” he said.
Alan Graham, general manager of Suncorp Stadium, said the stadium was looking forward to participating in the “wonderful Games” by improving the technology, adding large LED screens, additional seating, and better access.
Where will the athletic events be held?
Queensland Sport and Athletics Complex (QSAC) is set to be upgraded to hold athletic events, despite the review rejecting the option.
Mr Miles said it was ruled out by the review due to Olympic access costs, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has committed to him that it will “work to minimise those requirements”.
“QSAC is one of our most used venues, but we will turn it into the best athletics venue in Australia,” he said.
How much will it cost?
The government said the “new direction” for the Games ensures costs “remain within the agreed funding envelope of $7.1 billion, to be shared between the state and commonwealth governments”.
The cost of upgrading QSAC, and how long it will take, is yet to be determined.
Mr Miles said that if the upgrades cost $1 billion, it would still leave “in the order of a billion dollars” to be splurged, “roughly half-half” between upgrading Lang Park and the Gabba.
What about the other Olympic venues?
State Development Minister Grace Grace said the government supports the recommendation to build the Brisbane Arena in the new location at the upper end of Roma Street Parklands.
Moreton Bay Indoor Sport Centre will proceed, with the site’s expansion being investigated.
Toowoomba Sports Ground will not proceed, as recommended, but the government will explore opportunities to host other events in the region.
Albion’s Breakfast Creek Indoor Sports Precinct will also not proceed, with a centre in Zillmere or Boondall to be considered instead.
What about the athlete villages?
The locations of the athlete villages were not part of the review.
Mr Miles said villages will remain at Hamilton in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast, and on the Sunshine Coast.
Now the review is done, what’s next?
Ms Grace said the government will now “move quickly”.
“We’ve got a path forward,” she said.
An independent delivery authority will oversee the sports venue program, which is set to be established by mid-2024.
Will Brisbane be ready in time for the 2032 Olympic Games?
Griffith University Cities Research Institute director Professor Paul Burton said the longer debates and discussions continue, the probability of projects being rushed, unfinished, and expensive increases.
“Delays often come during the development phase, not the construction phase,” he said.
“The sooner you can start construction, the better.”
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