Brisbane finally has some certainty around its infrastructure plan to deliver the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Premier David Crisafulli today unveiled a suite of stadiums and venues for the event, three years after the city won the right to host the Games.
The plan is based on:
- A new Brisbane Stadium to be delivered at Victoria Park, a former golf course in inner Brisbane.
- A new National Aquatic Centre at Spring Hill in inner Brisbane to transform the Centenary Pool site.
- An upgrade of the RNA Showgrounds with an upgraded Main Arena and Athlete Village, which will be converted to permanent housing after the Games.
- An upgraded Queensland Tennis Centre at Tennyson to include a new permanent show court and 12 new match courts.
- An upgraded Chandler Sporting Precinct east of Brisbane to be used as a para-sport community facility.
- New athlete villages to be delivered on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
- Improved transport network with new rail lines and stations, northern and eastern Brisbane bus corridors, upgrades to the M1, faster rail from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, and The Wave, with a rail line running from Beerwah to Birtinya linking with metro services all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport, through Maroochydore.
Under the plan, The Gabba in inner Brisbane will not be part of the Olympic venues. Instead it will be used for cricket up until 2032. After the games the site will be transformed into a new entertainment and housing precinct.
The Brisbane Arena (also known previously as Brisbane Live) will be moved to the vacant GoPrint site in Woolloongabba, and will need to be delivered by the private sector.
The so-called 2032 Delivery Plan comes with a commitment to keep the spending within the budgeted $7.1 billion funding envelope.
The plan was developed as part of a 100 Day Review by a panel of infrastructure and transport experts which included stakeholder consultation and community input.
It will be delivered through the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority.
On top of the main infrastructure facilities, many events will be delivered in regional Queensland.
Projects to achieve this include:
- Barlow Park, Cairns upgraded to increase seating capacity and spectator facilities.
- Rowing infrastructure on the Fitzroy River to host rowing and canoe sprints.
- Toowoomba Showgrounds to transform into an Equestrian Centre of Excellence.
- New Redland Whitewater Centre will be delivered within the future Birkdale Community Precinct.
- Brisbane International Shooting Centre upgraded to increase capacity of the indoor range.
- Logan and Moreton Indoor Sports Centres built to address the growing demand for indoor courts in some of the fastest growing areas of Queensland.
Sporting events are slated to be held in regional cities, including football in Cairns, sailing in Townsville, cricket in the Mackay-Whitsunday region and archery in Wide Bay-Burnett.
Around $250 million will be invested in grassroots sporting clubs across Queensland as part of the Games preparations.
Premier David Crisafulli acknowledged the Victoria Park stadium ran counter to his election promise not to build new stadiums. But he believed it was the right decision, and he was prepared to live with any fall-out from the change of policy.
He said it was important that the Games gave Queensland enduring benefits beyond the event.
“Transport, infrastructure, tourism and grassroots sport will all be part of the lasting legacy for a Games we can all be proud of,” he said.
“We now have the gameplan for 2032 and beyond, and it’s time to put it into action.”
Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority Chairman Stephen Conry said the Review drew together a team of people who are incredibly passionate about the Games and about Queensland.
“Their efforts over the 100 days of the Review have contributed to a Plan and long-lasting venues that will deliver an event and a legacy to be proud of,” Mr Conroy said.
“We also thank the many thousands of Queenslanders who took the opportunity to have their say during the 100 Day Review.
“Diverse views were not surprising and were welcomed. While we couldn’t accept every proposal, all opinions played a role in forming our final report.”
“Analysis shows us that the Games can generate billions of dollars in social and economic benefits while promoting Queensland on the world stage.
“Queensland now has clarity and we are excited about the way forward.”
The heart of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be delivered at Victoria Park, with a new Brisbane Stadium to be built as part of a central Games precinct spanning Spring Hill, Bowen Hills and Victoria Park.
“While a Brisbane Arena is no longer required for the Games, the Queensland Government has taken steps today to allow Brisbane Live to be delivered by the private sector, providing the opportunity for the Federal Government’s contribution to be directed toward other essential Games infrastructure,” the government statement says..
“The Government will move the Brisbane Arena priority site to the vacant GoPrint site in Woolloongabba, paving the way for a permanent legacy in addition to a new housing and entertainment precinct over the Gabba when it is taken down.”
“This move will secure the future of the East Brisbane State School, ensuring it is not relocated.”
For more information on Delivering 2032 and Beyond visit www.qld.gov.au/delivering2032
