Developers Pick Up Games Baton as Venue Reveal Restores Faith

After 1343 days of uncertainty, the course is finally set for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. And private developers will have plenty of opportunity for value capture as part of the shake-up in plans. According to Premier David Crisafulli, the timeframes were just untenable for a Gabba stadium rebuild—and so the options were limited to the much-maligned Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre stadium or a new stadium at Victoria Park. And as Brisbane Lions chief executive Greg Swann said, “It was a no-brainer”. The Lions and Queensland Cricket stand to gain a $3.6-billion home ground in the new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park as part of plans to create an Olympics precinct. But the sporting groups are expected to cough up as part of the deal. As opposition leader, Crisafulli pledged that no new stadiums would be built for the Games if the LNP were elected. “I have to own that, and I will, and I am sorry, and it’s my decision, and I accept that decision,” he said after the announcement. This precinct would also include a world-class aquatic centre on the site of Centenary Swimming Pool and the athletes village being relocated from Hamilton Northshore to the RNA showgrounds. The main arena at the showgrounds would also be upgraded to accommodate 20,000 seats. Gabba to be demolished At the venue announcements today (March 25), Crisafulli confirmed The Gabba would be demolished after the 2032 Games to make way for urban renewal next door to the Brisbane Arena on the former Go Print site. Crisafulli said The Gabba may have its swan song as a potential host venue for the Olympic Cricket in 2032, before meeting the wrecking ball. He said the Brisbane Arena would be a “game-changer and proof there would be no value to Australian and Queensland taxpayers to spend $2.5 billion on a Brisbane Live Arena, when the private sector was willing to engage with us to deliver one”. “To show how serious we are about progressing plans with the private sector, today I officially announce our Government will move the Brisbane Arena priority site from Roma Street to the vacant Go Print site at Woolloongabba and we will proceed immediately with a market-led proposal,” he said. ▲ The Sunshine Coast athletes village at Maroochydore would be connected by a Metro service called The Wave. Brisbane Arena to be privately delivered He described The Gabba precinct as a significant opportunity alongside the Go Print site, which is now slated for the $2.5-billion Brisbane Arena. This project, which has been championed by local businessman Harvey Lister, was to be federally funded. But Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie announced this project would be developed by the private sector and a market proposal process would be undertaken. Lister has been involved in the Brisbane Live Arena concept since its inception in 2007. “We were delighted to hear the Premier confirm that our Brisbane Live project can now be delivered by the private sector at government’s newly nominated site at Woolloongabbba,” Lister told The Urban Developer . “We’ll wait to see precisely what government is proposing and then consider whether to form or join a consortium for the broader Gabba plus Go Print site.” But there’s no denying there is a level of confidence from industry that had hitherto been lacking. This will be the catalyst south-east Queensland and regional hubs such as Townsville have been waiting for. Ripple effect creates investor confidence Consolidated Properties Group executive chairman Don O’Rorke said the announcement was providing confidence to the industry. Consolidated Properties Group owns a site neighbouring the Queensland Tennis Centre. The tennis hub is in line for a 3000-seat showcourt arena and 12 new match courts. “This investment in Queensland Tennis Centre gives us confidence as an adjoining landowner to invest in that project further,” O’Rorke said. “This is great news for Brisbane.” ▲ The Queensland Tennis Centre will receive a significant upgrade as part of the Olympics 2032 overhaul. Victoria Park architect stayed the course Today’s announcement, however, is a much more personal one for Archipelago founder Peter Edwards. It is the culmination of seven years of work for the city-shaper and a fraught journey to the Victoria Park outcome for Edwards, churning through two governments, three premiers, two 100-day reviews and a lot of furore. But to see his vision ratified was a proud moment for Edwards, who is hoping that this will be the catalyst for many other developments in south-east Queensland. “The development community really has cause to get excited now, not just because of the specific venues associated with the plans announced today, but all the catalytic effect it will have on the shape of the city moving forward,” Edwards said. “There’s a combination of vision and excitement, and a sense of certainty and purpose. And we haven’t had those two things together ever before.” ▲ Brisbane will become the national headquarters for the nation ’ s swimmers with a world-class facility proposed for the Centenary Swimming Pool site. Edwards said the decision on a path forward that engages the private sector and sporting associations hasn’t been seen before. “Brisbane gets a national centre of excellence for swimming, what is effectively the Sydney Opera House of aquatic sports, in its own city,” he said. If not in design, then definitely in status, which will put Brisbane on the map. “The last time you had a once-ever event was Expo 88 and we got South Bank. Now we’re going to get a South Bank 2.0, we’re going to get an amazing new urbane parkland that will be the psychographic capital for all of our Olympic memories,” Edwards said. Edwards said he would love to have a hand in helping the city build out its 2032 strategy. “There’s a lot of processes we would have to go through between now and pouring concrete … but we will always advocate for the city of our dreams by design. This process that we have committed to, we have not been paid a single cent for, we are completely independent of any consortia. We have done this work for the city.” Regions to thrive in 2032 Games In addition to the significant Brisbane venue changes, the Sunshine Coast is in line for a new arena and athletes village as well as significant infrastructure investment in The Wave, a transport infrastructure plan comprising heavy rail from Beerwah to Birtinya then Metro to the Sunshine Coast Airport and including stations at Mountain Creek and Maroochydore. The Gold Coast is in line for a new stadium and athletes village at the Royal Pines Golf Course, as well as a new arena proposed for Queensland’s Glitter Strip. Regional development is also on the cards with Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville and Maryborough all in line for Olympic events. Crisafulli said it would create a legacy for the tourism industry and grassroots sport in Queensland. Meanwhile, the Chandler sporting complex will become a high-performance paralympic venue. While there is still much detail to be revealed, what is clear to the Queensland Premier is that “it’s time to have a crack and get on with it”.

Developers Pick Up Games Baton as Venue Reveal Restores Faith

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