The Miles Government accepts 27 out of the 30 recommendations outlined in the Review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue infrastructure.
Review and recommendation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics Infrastructure
Led by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, an independent panel completed the 60-day Sports Venue Review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue infrastructure.
The final report was delivered to the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace on Friday, March 15th.
Throughout the review process, the panel engaged with stakeholders through 130 meetings, analysed numerous studies, and conducted 28 site visits, receiving over 900 submissions.
The findings have uncovered fresh opportunities to provide value for money for Queenslanders, aligning with the government’s legacy vision.
Central to the government’s response is a commitment to community benefit while ensuring costs adhere to the agreed funding limit of $7.1 billion shared between the State and Commonwealth governments.
Sports infrastructure development and upgrades
The government will embark on upgrades to QSAC and Suncorp Stadium while pushing forward with the development of the state-of-the-art Brisbane Arena, ensuring benefits for over 30 sporting facilities across Queensland.
Plans include exploring new transport connections in Brisbane, and forming part of a renewed strategy to enrich the community legacy.
The forthcoming Brisbane Arena represents crucial community infrastructure with enduring legacy applications.
Positioned within an interconnected precinct emphasising accessibility and walkability, it will stand as a focal point among the city’s cultural and entertainment hubs.
With QSAC and Suncorp Stadium serving as Queensland’s most heavily utilised venues, proposals for enhancements aim to broaden community access, especially considering QSAC’s significant role in hosting nearly 782,000 visits in 2022-23, predominantly by community sporting groups and schools.
Potential upgrades to QSAC offer an opportunity to extend transport links, benefiting not only the stadium but also Griffith University, QEII hospital’s health precinct, and the burgeoning communities in south Brisbane.
Furthermore, the Moreton Bay community stands to gain with authorities looking into the expansion of their new Indoor Sports Centre.
However, the proposed Breakfast Creek Indoor Sports Precinct at Albion will be shelved, with suggestions for relocating an indoor sports centre to Zillmere or Boondall.
Meanwhile plans for upgrades to the Toowoomba Sports Ground have been halted, and alternative opportunities to host Games events in the region will be explored.
The Government will expedite due diligence on venues in the coming months, followed by construction, with approximately half of these venues located outside of Brisbane, providing an economic and employment boost both during and after construction.
While the Review panel recommended a new multi-billion dollar stadium at Victoria Park, further assessment is deemed necessary before relying on these initial findings.
Given the current funding constraints and the IOC’s preference for existing or planned venues, the Government has decided against pursuing a stadium at Victoria Park. Instead, focus will be placed on exploring upgrades to QSAC and Suncorp Stadium.
Highlights of the review report and recommendations
- Miles Government accepts 27 out of 30 recommendations from independent Sport Venue Review for Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.
- Green light given for new Brisbane Arena at Roma St precinct.
- Upgrades slated for Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium pending due diligence and consultation with games partners.
- Exploration of legacy transport options to connect QSAC, QEII hospital, and Griffith University with city precincts.
- The proposed new stadium at Victoria Park officially scrapped.
- Gabba rebuild plans abandoned.
Consultation with Games Delivery Partners, including the Australian Government, is required for any sports venue changes, with final approval from the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) necessary.
The Independent Delivery Authority, set to be established in mid-2024, will oversee the implementation of the sports venue program.
News source: Queensland Government website
Feature image from Yahoo News Singapore
