Unity in Community
Queensland Govt Media Release:
"New direction for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games sports venues has community sport at its heart" - 18 March 2024
"New direction for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games sports venues has community sport at its heart" - 18 March 2024
KEY POINTS
Gabba rebuild will not proceed.
Proposed new stadium for Victoria Park ruled out.
Queensland Government accepts 27 of 30 recommendations from the independent Sport Venue Review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Go ahead for new Brisbane Arena in a different location at Roma St precinct.
Upgrades planned for the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium, subject to due diligence and consultation with games partners.
Implications
Raymond Park
Saved
No athletics at the Gabba Stadium, QSAC will instead be used.
No requirement to use the park for a warm up track
Raymond park remains a much loved community asset.
East Brisbane State School
Possibly Saved
Possibly Saved
The school to remain at its current site for an additional year to allow the impact of the Gabba refurbishment to be determined.
A move to the Coorparoo Secondary Site or elsewhere remains a possibility.
Gabba Stadium
No demolition
No demolition
Gabba rebuild will not proceed.
Instead $500m to be spent on vital maintenance work.
Proposed new stadium for Victoria Park ruled out.
Opportunity to repurpose the site into public green space lost.
Gabba PDA
No Change
No Change
No mention of changes to the Woolloongabba Priority Development Area in any media to date.
Given the Gabba rebuild will not proceed, a key driver for this PDA is no longer present.
Public consultation to open in April.
Independent Review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Venue Infrastructure Report released
Some key findings from this report:
1.10 - The Gabba sits on an island land parcel constrained on all sides by Vulture Street, Stanley Street, Mains Road and Wellington Road, all major inner-city roads. This restricts the stadium’s footprint and the ability to redevelop or expand. (p8)
1.13 - The full Gabba rebuild will likely cost around $3.0 billion (plus $185 - $360 million in displacement costs for AFL and cricket). Given the limited opportunity to expand the Gabba beyond the land parcel it sits on, a full Gabba rebuild will not deliver to the full brief of an international standard stadium. These issues cannot be designed out or resolved in a new stadium in the current location. (p9)
1.22 - Given the limitations of a Gabba rebuild in its current location, the Panel formed the view that a better legacy investment for a Stadium would be realised by considering a greenfeld site. (p10)
1.25 - The cost of a stadium in Victoria Park ($3.0 – $3.4 billion) is likely to be marginally more expensive than the full Gabba rebuild (more than $3.0 billion) with better operational effciencies and outcomes that would deliver a true international standard venue enabling Brisbane to compete with other top stadiums in Australia and generate additional premium seating revenue. (p10)
Some key recommendations
1.1 - The Gabba be maintained to a minimum standard until a new stadium is constructed at a different location allowing the current stadium to be demolished and the site repurposed. (p10)
1.3 - The option for a stadium in Victoria Park proceeds to Project Validation Report stage as a matter of priority. (p10)
For the first time ever, we've had an opportunity to tell the State Government what we think. We provided our feedback, asking for the government to save $2.7 billion, retain East Brisbane State School within its catchment and save Raymond Park.
The proposed $2.7 billion Gabba redevelopment stands as a significant juncture for the Queensland community. "Rethink the Gabba" isn't just a catchphrase; it's a heartfelt call to honour community values, heritage, and our treasured green spaces. As we approach the 2032 Olympics, let's advocate for a legacy that intertwines global celebration with local preservation.
Together, we can shape an Olympic legacy of unity, respect, and sustainable advancement.
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