Cost-Cutting ‘Will Destroy Olympics Opportunity’

Brisbane’s one-time chance to become a global city would be lost if infrastructure developments are ‘sanded back’ by a review into the city’s plans to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

According to the founder of architect firm Archipelago, Peter Edwards, the event handed Brisbane a “once-ever opportunity to think big and bold about our city”.

And, he says, cutting costs will do the Queensland capital’s future no favours.

Edwards has submitted his vision for the Games, Brisbane Bold, to a 60-day infrastructure review into the current plans, headed by former city mayor Graham Quirk.

It is widely anticipated that review will recommend plans to rebuild the Gabba be shelved.

Under Edward’s plans, Victoria Park 1.5km north of the CBD would be transformed into a world-class sporting, events and knowledge precinct rather than a rework of the Gabba with a Brisbane Arena built over the Roma Street railway.

His plans proposed connecting the parklands above the Inner City Bypass, creating a 90ha sporting and events venue precinct boasting a 70,000-seat stadium and an indoor arena.

Edwards also wants to see an active transport “green line” to link the University of Queensland at St Lucia with the Gabba, South Bank, Victoria Park’s new Olympic precinct and Northshore Hamilton.

His proposal has been submitted to the review, which is due to report to Queensland Development Minister Grace Grace by March 18.

▲ Peter Edwards says the 2032 Olympics hands Brisbane the chance to become a world city.

Edwards said that if the city was not courageous enough to think big and commit the money needed, it would regret it.

He said the Games provided the catalyst for true city shaping that would put Brisbane on the world map.

Edwards said the “sleeping giant” in the debate over plans for hosting the Games was the people of the city, state and region who had a deep pride in winning the Games.

“We want to wake that sleeping giant and give them a voice,” he said.

In September, the Queensland Government was urged to reconsider the multibillion-dollar reconstruction of one of the state’s landmark stadiums—the Gabba.

▲ A render of part of the vision for a precinct at Victoria Park, north of the CBD.

The call came from a senate committee looking into Brisbane’s preparedness to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

In its interim report, the committee cast doubt on the need to spend $2.7 billion reconstructing the Gabba, in Brisbane’s inner south-east.

“It may be unwise and inappropriate for the Government to insist that a redeveloped Gabba host the athletics for the Games,” the report said.

The cost of the stadium project, which includes adding 8000 seats to increase its capacity to 50,000, has more than doubled since it was announced.

The 60-day review headed by Quirk was announced in January, with a focus on The Gabba redevelopment,  the Brisbane Arena, and other smaller development projects.

Also on the review panel are infrastructure stalwart Ken Kanofski, and Michelle Morris, who has a background in event partnerships and delivery on the world stage.