Premier Steven Miles – Rejects Gabba recommendation

In a significant announcement today, the Queensland Government outlined a fresh strategic direction for the infrastructure of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, strongly emphasising community sports and sustainable legacy. The Honourable Steven Miles, Premier, alongside the Honourable Grace Grace, Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, declared the acceptance of 27 out of 30 recommendations from the Sport Venue Review. This pivotal shift promises a future where sporting venues serve the Queensland community long after the Games.

A New Era for Brisbane’s Sporting Infrastructure

The government’s revised plan revolves around enhancing existing venues like the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium, ensuring they are future-proof and more accessible to the community. In contrast, the proposed new stadium for Victoria Park has been shelved, alongside the decision to forego the Gabba rebuild in favor of a more focused enhancement of the existing structure.

The planned new Brisbane Arena, now set to be located within the Roma Street precinct, emerges as a central piece of this reimagined vision, poised to serve as a multipurpose venue for generations.

Enhancing Connectivity and Community Legacy

A standout feature of the government’s approach is the commitment to expanding transport links, not just serving the venues but knitting together QSAC, QEII hospital, Griffith University, and other city precincts. This initiative underscores the administration’s dedication to leaving a lasting legacy that transcends the Games themselves.

Diverse Venues, United Goals

The Moreton Bay community emerges as a significant beneficiary in this new plan, with its Indoor Sports Centre earmarked for possible expansion. This move underscores the government’s commitment to broadening community access and enhancing sports facilities across Queensland.

Conversely, plans for the Breakfast Creek Indoor Sports Precinct at Albion will not proceed, with a new recommendation for an indoor sports centre to be established in Zillmere or Boondall. Similarly, the proposed upgrades to the Toowoomba Sports Ground have been discontinued, with the government looking to explore alternative opportunities for Games events in the region.

A Resolute Path Forward

The Queensland Government’s swift action to finalize venue plans highlights an unwavering commitment to commence construction without delay, promising economic and job boosts, particularly for venues outside Brisbane.

Despite the enthusiasm for a brand-new stadium at Victoria Park highlighted by the Review Panel, financial uncertainties have ruled this option out. This decision aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) preference for utilizing existing or already planned venues, reinforcing a cost-effective and pragmatic approach to Games preparation.

Community and Legacy at the Forefront

Premier Steven Miles underscored the government’s resolve to ensure the Games infrastructure delivers “decades of benefit to local schools, community athletics programs, and Olympic and Paralympic athletes.” This vision of a lasting legacy, one that prioritizes Queenslanders’ needs and values, stands at the core of the government’s strategy for the 2032 Games.

As the Independent Delivery Authority gears up for action in mid-2024, Queensland is poised to embark on a transformative journey, redefining the essence of the Olympic legacy with community spirit and sustainable infrastructure leading the way.

Photo credit: ABC