Images: Queensland government
The Queensland state government has today (Tuesday) confirmed plans to build a new 63,000-capacity stadium in Brisbane’s Victoria Park, as a full venue plan for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games was released.
The stadium will serve as the main venue during the Games and will be capable of hosting AFL matches, Test cricket and major entertainment events.
It marks the latest change in direction for Brisbane 2032’s main stadium, which has been the subject of much debate since the city was awarded the Games in 2021. A major revamp of The Gabba had originally been planned but this was scrapped by the former state government, led by ex-Premier Steven Miles, in March last year.
At the time, a more modest enhancement of The Gabba was to be pursued, along with upgrades to the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre and Suncorp Stadium. The saga took another twist in October when the newly elected Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, signalled his intention to release a new venue plan for the Games.
A 100-day review officially commenced on November 29 and the findings have been released today. During his election campaign, Crisafulli had said he would not pursue a new stadium project, and he has issued an apology today for backtracking on this promise but insisted he has made the “right choice”.
The Queensland government has stated that all new and upgraded Olympic venues will be delivered with the existing A$7.1bn (£3.46bn/€4.14bn/$4.48bn) funding envelope. The 2032 Delivery Plan will be put into action from today and delivered by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority.
Initial artist impression renderings of all the planned venues have been released today as part of the 2032 Delivery Plan, with facilities across the state of Queensland set to be utilised.
The ‘New Brisbane Stadium’ will be delivered at Victoria Park, a heritage-listed space in Brisbane’s inner-city. It will anchor a “world-class” Games precinct and will serve as the home of the AFL’s Brisbane Lions, as well as the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls cricket teams. It will cost an estimated A$3.875bn.
The construction of the new main stadium will lead to the demolition of The Gabba after the Games. Crisafulli said today that the stadium is “at its end of life”.
A new National Aquatic Centre is also planned in the northern suburb of Spring Hill, with the existing Centenary Pool Complex site to be transformed for the Games.
The revamped venue will feature a main and secondary stadium, each with large indoor pools to support elite training and competition. The venue will use temporary seating during the Games to welcome more than 25,000 fans, which the Delivery Plan notes surpasses the capacity of La Défense Arena which proved popular during last year’s Games in Paris.
The National Aquatic Centre will host the majority of aquatic sports during Brisbane 2032, and will be supported by the existing Brisbane Aquatic Centre, which will be upgraded. After the Games, the National Aquatic Centre will provide a “world-class legacy facility” with a permanent capacity of 8,000 seats.
Elsewhere, the RNA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills will be transformed with an upgraded main arena and athlete village, which will be converted to permanent housing after the Games.
The Showgrounds will be around 1.5km from the Brisbane CBD, with the athlete village to house more than 10,000 athletes and team officials for the Olympics and more than 5,000 for the Paralympics. As well as the athlete village, the Showgrounds will house an upgraded 20,000-seat arena which will host “key events” during the Games.
The Queensland Tennis Centre will also be expanded to include a new permanent show court and 12 new match courts.
Earlier this month, question marks emerged over the tennis venue for Brisbane 2032, with officials suggesting that Melbourne may have to step in if the Queensland Tennis Centre does not receive the necessary upgrades.
These fears have been allayed today, with the complex to be fitted with a new 3,000-seat showcourt arena and 12 new match courts to complement the existing Pat Rafter Arena.
New athlete villages will also be built in Maroochydore and Gold Coast, while the Chandler Sporting Precinct will be upgraded to a dedicated para-sport community facility. Indoor sports centres will also be built in Logan and Petrie.
The Delivery Plan does not include the previously announced Brisbane Live arena, with the state government stating that this project is “no longer required” for the Games. The state government has instead taken steps to allow Brisbane Live to be delivered by the private sector, providing the opportunity for the federal government’s contribution to be directed towards other Games infrastructure.
The state government will move the Brisbane arena priority site to the vacant GoPrint site in nearby Woolloongabba. In a statement today, ASM Global, which had an early operator engagement deed agreement with the state government for the original site, expressed disappointment at Brisbane Live not being listed as one of the proposed Olympic venues.
Harvey Lister, ASM Global chairman and chief executive in the APAC and MENA regions, added: “We are however encouraged by the Premier Crisafulli’s commitment to immediately call for market-led proposals for Brisbane Arena for the alternative site at GoPrint in Woolloongabba.
“We eagerly await details regarding the urban renewal opportunity the Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie has now assumed responsibility for and further clarity of the process of delivering at this alternative location.”
Other venues to receive upgrades ahead of the Games will include the Sunshine Coast Stadium, Gold Coast Hockey Centre, Toowoomba Showgrounds, Brisbane International Shooting Centre and the Fitzroy River course in Rockhampton. Sunshine Coast Stadium’s permanent seated capacity will increase from 1,046 to 10,680.
The Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre, the Anna Meares Velodrome and the BMX Supercross Track will also be upgraded, while Barlow Park in Cairns will also benefit from major renovation work.
The Delivery Plan also calls for a new Redland Whitewater Centre and a new Gold Coast Arena, with the latter to be fully funded and delivered by the City of Gold Coast.
Crisafulli said: “To host the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and we’ll make it count for Queensland with a lasting legacy. Transport, infrastructure, tourism and grassroots sport will all be part of the lasting legacy for a Games we can all be proud of. We now have the game plan for 2032 and beyond, and it’s time to put it into action.”
Andrew Liveris, president of the Brisbane 2032 organising committee, added: “We will move swiftly to make operational assessments and to align our venue master plan and sports programme, ready for endorsement from the IOC, International Paralympic Committee and international sport federations.
“We have been handed a gift to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 – an event that will attract billions of viewers, millions of visitors, deliver generational economic and social benefits, and secure legacies for grassroots communities through to elite athletes. The time for talking has passed. Let’s put the plan into place.”
The Australian Olympic Committee has also welcomed the state government’s announcement.
AOC president Ian Chesterman said: “Today’s announcement sets out generational infrastructure that will benefit Brisbane, Queensland and Australia in the lead up to and well beyond the Games in 2032, in line with the IOC’s New Norm principles.
“The Queensland government’s response is a very positive step towards delivering a successful Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Providing clarity on venues and infrastructure offers a foundation for momentum – allowing Games Delivery partners to get on with the job of preparing for an exceptional Games.
“The reality is the Brisbane Games are a once-in-a-generation opportunity that creates potential legacy benefits that extend far beyond just the Games period. There are some great outcomes for some of our sports and the athletes who will be delighted about the plans revealed today.”
Share this