Govind Tekale
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has announced major changes to Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue plans, confirming a new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park will replace the previously proposed Gabba redevelopment.
The Premier revealed the revised plans following a 100-day independent review of venues, infrastructure, and transport for the Games.
Victoria Park Stadium Takes Center Stage
The new stadium at Victoria Park, estimated to cost $3.785 billion, will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics events. This decision comes despite Mr. Crisafulli’s pre-election promise that no new stadiums would be built.
“It became a choice between the embarrassment of hosting the games at QSAC or a new stadium at Victoria Park,” Crisafulli said during Tuesday’s announcement. “The Games must be held at a new stadium at Victoria Park. Any other choice would have meant placing the government’s interests ahead of the interests of Queensland.”
The Premier apologized for breaking his election commitment, stating: “I have to own that, and I will, and I am sorry.”
The Gabba’s Future
The Gabba, once planned as the main Olympic stadium, will not undergo the originally proposed $2.7 billion redevelopment. Instead, it will be used during the Games before being demolished.
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final — the Gabba’s swansong,” Crisafulli remarked.
New Aquatic Center and Other Venues
A new national aquatic center with a 25,000-person capacity will be built at Centenary Pool in Spring Hill. This facility has gained support from key sporting bodies including Diving Australia, Artistic Swimming, Water Polo, and Swimming Australia, who plan to relocate their headquarters to Brisbane.
The Queensland Tennis Centre will receive a significant upgrade, including a new 3,000-seat show court arena and 12 additional match courts.
“Melbourne will not be taking the tennis from Brisbane — not on our watch,” Crisafulli declared.
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Regional Distribution of Venues
The Games will extend beyond Brisbane with several regional centers hosting events:
- Rockhampton: Rowing on the Fitzroy River
- Townsville and Whitsundays: Co-hosting sailing events
- Gold Coast: Athletes village at Royal Pines, new arena, and hockey center upgrades
- Toowoomba: Equestrian center of excellence
- Maroochydore: Athletes village, new arena, and cultural precinct
- Cairns: Football and basketball, with potential for cricket if included in the Games
- Maryborough: Archery
- Logan and Moreton Bay: New indoor sport centers
- Redlands: Whitewater rafting center
Brisbane Arena Plans Changed
The Premier confirmed the government would not proceed with the previously proposed Brisbane Arena as part of the Olympic plan. Instead, he revealed that private sector offers had been received to build an arena at the vacant GoPrint site in Woolloongabba “for a fraction of the cost for taxpayers.”
Budget Considerations
The state government has committed to keeping the Olympics budget within the $7.1 billion funding envelope. According to the review panel’s report, continuing with a publicly-funded Brisbane Arena would have increased costs to $8.791 billion.
Transport Infrastructure
The revised plans include significant transport upgrades:
- New rail lines and stations
- Northern and eastern Brisbane bus corridors
- Pacific Motorway upgrades
- Faster rail from Brisbane to the Gold Coast
- A rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya called “The Wave”
- Bruce Highway improvements including the Tiaro Bypass, Rockhampton Ring Road, and Goorganga Plains
- Upgrades to the Cairns Western Arterial Road
A “Queensland Way” Games
Crisafulli expressed confidence that Queensland would deliver a “world-class Games” set for July 23 to August 8, 2032.
“We’re not Paris, we’re not LA. This will be better, and it’ll be the Queensland way, and that’s what will make the Games great,” he said.
With these new venue plans now locked in, the focus shifts to implementation and ensuring the benefits extend beyond the Games themselves, creating lasting infrastructure for Queenslanders.
