This would be a great opportunity to update the stadium and utilise a purpose built facility for the Athletics. A redeveloped QE II could also include improved public transport connections to the precinct.

The IOC itself has recommended using Carrara Stadium for the athletics. In the words of the Australian Olympic Committee CEO, the Gabba would then only need a  'a coat of paint' to host ceremonies. 

Albion Park has fewer site constraints and is within closer proximity to the Athlete's village at Hamilton. Here's what the State Government is planning to do instead - Breakfast Creek Sports Precinct Albion Concept Plan.

Nathan Hildebrandt of Skewed Architecture proposes that Victoria Park be considered as an alternative location for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Stadium. Nathan argues that Victoria Park is a large site that could accommodate the stadium (indeed one large enough for an Olympics) and provide additional benefits to the city, such as a land bridge over the Inner City Bypass and a connection to Spring Hill to Victoria Park. The Nathan also suggests that the Gabba site could then be repurposed for affordable housing apartments and to expand the East Brisbane State School.

If the Gabba must be the site, Nathan suggests that, similar to m3architecture, building on top of the Cross River Rail site would be a better, less disruptive option.

Climate-positive Olympics advocacy

Local architecture firm m3architecture completed a self-funded piece of urban design research (2022) is a test case that rigorously applies a set of sustainable design principles to an existing, high-profile Olympic proposal to demonstrate what a ‘climate-positive Games’ looks like. 

They are suggesting building a tempoary stadium on top of the Cross River Rail site, then after the games recycling the components into the Gabba, and converting the site to affordable housing.