News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News

[BRAB]

Premier on channel 9 news denied the story about cancelling the Gabba rebuild.
He just confirmed they are waiting on the 60-day review.

If the Labor Government are actually publicly saying there is a review occurring and privately telling stakeholders it’s all over they are deranged.

Think it’s more likely the opposition leader is just shit stirring a bit during election season. Makes the government look incompetent and he’s not outright saying it’s cancelled so seems like something worth doing from his perspective.

 

[lionraven]

I'd consider voting LNP if they actually could come up with a cogent plan instead of shit stirring and whining. We saw how much vision Scomo had getting voted in on the "labor bad" policy line and then sitting on his hands whilst all the state premiers had to jump into action for COVID. Maybe Chrisafooli or whatever his name is should actually make a suggestion for alternative options. We are not all Toowoomba glue eaters happy to vote in a nobody to do nothing and let everything crumble so long as they wear an acubra hat and a blue tie. Also as someone who works in medicine, if you love your family don't let them go to Toowoomba Hospital.

 

[Mighty Lions]

Any delay on going onto the next step for The Gabba will not delay the start of that project. Lots of time construction wise.
Even a Labor loss at the election i doubt changes anything. Contracts would be signed before the election in October 2024.

However, it delays the standoff of the RNA proposal because the parties involved live in some sort of hope that may change.
With only 24 months to having the "unknown" Lions AFL playing venue finished any delay for The Gabba drastically affects this decision and construction time.

Going the next step ($2.7B Gabba Rebuild) is definately being considered to be knocked on the head. Signed contacts or not, this whole issue can go any way until Miles looks at the numbers and decides if the decision to pull the Gabba down will win or lose him votes come election time.

 

[Section 5]

I have been meaning to visit the Cross River Rail showroom level 1, 151 Elizabeth Street Brisbane.
Finally went there yesterday and i found it quite interesting.
In the Wooloongabba Station interactive console they did have their take on the bridge connection to The Gabba
I took a few photos on my phone, so they are a bit average coming off a bright console screen.
Nothing our mind could not imagine about a bridge over Main Street. But as the saying goes a picture paints a thousand words
I don't believe i have seen these on other images of the Gabba rebuild.
Any extra visuals do help in seeing what the end result may look like.
I did notice a few Lions images while going through the Wooloongabba & Albert Street Stations console so added one of those.
Click on the first image to view them. It did take a bit more time to load than usual on my PC.

 

[Dalions]

I have been meaning to visit the Cross River Rail showroom level 1, 151 Elizabeth Street Brisbane.
Finally went there yesterday and i found it quite interesting.
In the Wooloongabba Station interactive console they did have their take on the bridge connection to The Gabba
I took a few photos on my phone, so they are a bit average coming off a bright console screen.
Nothing our mind could not imagine about a bridge over Main Street. But as the saying goes a picture paints a thousand words
I don't believe i have seen these on other images of the Gabba rebuild.
Any extra visuals do help in seeing what the end result may look like.
I did notice a few Lions images while going through the Wooloongabba & Albert Street Stations console so added one of those.
Click on the first image to view them. It did take a bit more time to load than usual on my PC.

Soooo, just a spruced up Gabba then?

 

[wantok]

I would imagine a similar bridge with broad steps and ramp on the Oval side will be built as part of the now probable renovation. Access to the new Station will be required regardless.

On SM-A525F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Grasshopper17]

I have been meaning to visit the Cross River Rail showroom level 1, 151 Elizabeth Street Brisbane.
Finally went there yesterday and i found it quite interesting.
In the Wooloongabba Station interactive console they did have their take on the bridge connection to The Gabba
I took a few photos on my phone, so they are a bit average coming off a bright console screen.
Nothing our mind could not imagine about a bridge over Main Street. But as the saying goes a picture paints a thousand words
I don't believe i have seen these on other images of the Gabba rebuild.
Any extra visuals do help in seeing what the end result may look like.
I did notice a few Lions images while going through the Wooloongabba & Albert Street Stations console so added one of those.
Click on the first image to view them. It did take a bit more time to load than usual on my PC.

Has a bit of an Adelaide Oval feel about it from those graphics.

 

[Section 5]

Better late than never.
..............................
The independent review will begin today and will be headed by former Brisbane LNP lord mayor Graham Quirk, who led the city from 2011 until his retirement in 2019.

The government says the review will assess investment in 2032 Games venues according to "key criteria", which includes value for money, fitness for purpose, deliverability, and community legacy.

The review panel will also include Ken Kanofski, who is a former chief executive officer in the NSW government.

Michelle Morris, who is a principal and director at major events and sports consultancy firm MI Global Partners, will also be on the panel.

"I am looking forward to working on the review with my fellow reviewers and meeting with stakeholders to capture their views," Mr Quirk said.

MSN

 

[Billy ray]

So in all seriousness, what is plan b ? Was there an alternative greenfields site? Only way it will be cheaper is if greenfields site.
Example Optus in Perth was one of from memory 3 locations earmarked.

Refurb of gabba or even refurb of half a gabba (as one side would have to be removed wouldnt it to fit the track and arena dimensions?) will cost in my estimation more than half the current plan.

 

[Warwick]

Are the Games 100% locked in?

The IOC are probably looking at this shitshow and wishing they could back out.

Although to be fair, this is an organisation that awarded recent Games to Atlanta, Athens, and Rio.

 

[Bjo187]

I'm also interested to know what are the alternate options?

- A step by step gabba rebuild so the lions aren't displaced? That cuts costs with no underground parking, but can they even fit the track in on the current footprint?

- no upgrade of the gabba at all and just use it as is? You would think this is unlikely.

- A temporary option at a place like QSAC, upgrade that for 500 mill or so, but really it would have no legacy.

- buy the RNA site and build the new stadium there. It cuts costs by keeping the gabba till the new stadium is built, but they don't have to demolish the school etc. Then you could relocate the RNA folks to either a post Olympics demolished gabba site or a new site further out from the CBD.

Any that I'm missing?

 

[Elixuh]

So in all seriousness, what is plan b ? Was there an alternative greenfields site? Only way it will be cheaper is if greenfields site.
Example Optus in Perth was one of from memory 3 locations earmarked.

Refurb of gabba or even refurb of half a gabba (as one side would have to be removed wouldnt it to fit the track and arena dimensions?) will cost in my estimation more than half the current plan.

Optus stadium was a shit show bc of the amount of remediation work that had to take place prior to building. It was extensive.

Plan B would be some dogshit refurb I’m guessing.

 

[weevil]

Optus stadium was a s**t show bc of the amount of remediation work that had to take place prior to building. It was extensive.

Plan B would be some dogshit refurb I’m guessing.

Plan B might deliver substandard short and long-term results but may happen due to political expediency.

 

[Walshawk]

So in all seriousness, what is plan b ? Was there an alternative greenfields site? Only way it will be cheaper is if greenfields site.
Example Optus in Perth was one of from memory 3 locations earmarked.

Refurb of gabba or even refurb of half a gabba (as one side would have to be removed wouldnt it to fit the track and arena dimensions?) will cost in my estimation more than half the current plan.

They would only have to cut into 5 - 10 rows up one end behind the goals to fit a track. They did this with the Southern Stand @ MCG. The western stand is the oldest (1993) so perhaps that one gets rebuilt to allow for the track. Not sure how they would be able to increase capacity though.

Interestingly, the Premier stated that the impact on Lions and cricket is one of the reasons for the rethink.

Premier Steven Miles concedes Gabba rebuild not his preferred option as 2032 Olympics infrastructure review gets underway - ABC News

amp.abc.net.au

 

[Elixuh]

Plan B might deliver substandard short and long-term results but may happen due to political expediency.

Correct.

 

[Bjo187]

Plan B might deliver substandard short and long-term results but may happen due to political expediency.

Don't you think not getting kicked outta Brisbane for 4 or 5 years years and having a decent upgraded stadium is better than 4 or 5 years out of your market, for a more flash stadium?

 

[Elixuh]

Don't you think not getting kicked outta Brisbane for 4 or 5 years years and having a decent upgraded stadium is better than 4 or 5 years out of your market, for a more flash stadium?

Yes and no.

I don’t like the idea of spending 3-4b on a stadium but also acknowledge the realities of the need to improve infrastructure and use of the land in that area.

I also don’t like the idea of spending 4-5 years out of the Gabba.

The alternative of a refurbishment is even more of a waste as the cost will still be high in relative terms and it ultimately delivers no real short or long term goals other than an expensive facelift.

 

[wantok]

Don't you think not getting kicked outta Brisbane for 4 or 5 years years and having a decent upgraded stadium is better than 4 or 5 years out of your market, for a more flash stadium?

Yes I do and so do many others. Unless there is massive compensation it will destroy the Lions financially. The Brisbane fan base is fickle. The timing would coincide with a Lions list rejuvenation and potentially less on field success and membership reduction.To then expect the remaining die-hard members to Travel to Carrara for Home Games is sticking the knife in harder. It is patently obvious that the Govt had not adequately considered or budgeted forthis commercial reality prior to excitedly presenting their Artists impression of the Games Gabba rebuild. So here we are nearly 3 years later with the Govt trying to evaluate the real costs and looking for a political escape route.

On SM-A525F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Bjo187]

Also the gabba will still have a new train station regardless, which is also a massive plus. Just thinking about it, the mcg southern stand has parking underneath it and that was built in a staged process back in the 90s, maybe they can still do underground parking, but just under the stands only, not the playing surface.

 

[Grasshopper17]

Interestingly, the Premier stated that the impact on Lions and cricket is one of the reasons for the rethink.

Premier Steven Miles concedes Gabba rebuild not his preferred option as 2032 Olympics infrastructure review gets underway - ABC News

amp.abc.net.au

The honesty from the premier is refreshing. As is the willingness to have a Liberal head the review committee. Let's get the best outcome and not have that decided by political allegiances.

The main concern is the time it has taken to get even to this point. At this rate the Lions start season 2026 playing at a "home" venue, potentially in Round 3, that until game day they have never been able to set foot in. And that's probably the very best case scenario right now.

 

[Jirik13]

The honesty from the premier is refreshing. As is the willingness to have a Liberal head the review committee. Let's get the best outcome and not have that decided by political allegiances.

The main concern is the time it has taken to get even to this point. At this rate the Lions start season 2026 playing at a "home" venue, potentially in Round 3, that until game day they have never been able to set foot in. And that's probably the very best case scenario right now.

Premier also said this

"I signed off on an option that was consistently advised was the best outcome," he said.

"I repeatedly asked if there were any other options, and all the options that were brought back cost similar amounts for a worse outcome."

I would be very surprised if 2 months review comes up with better solution unless you build a new stadium on green site. But I agree, it should give more consensus.

Proper Gabba upgrade would not be cheaper.

If they really want to save money they can leave Gabba as it is (except power supply ) and just close off HBS (Metricon) stands (giving you 40K crowd?) and hold ceremonies, athletics there. Tram lines would be handy.

 

[Elixuh]

Premier also said this

I would be very surprised if 2 months review comes up with better solution unless you build a new stadium on green site. But I agree, it should give more consensus.

Proper Gabba upgrade would not be cheaper.

If they really want to save money they can leave Gabba as it is (except power supply ) and just close off HBS (Metricon) stands (giving you 40K crowd?) and hold ceremonies, athletics there. Tram lines would be handy.

Yeah I don’t think people appreciate the like cost of upgrading the Gabba. I’ve read plenty of stories over the years about it often being more cost effective to knock down and rebuild than it is to engage in a substantial upgrade.

 

[T Rick]

Also the gabba will still have a new train station regardless, which is also a massive plus. Just thinking about it, the mcg southern stand has parking underneath it and that was built in a staged process back in the 90s, maybe they can still do underground parking, but just under the stands only, not the playing surface.

Why is the underground parking even a priority?

 

[joshhem]

Mr Premier needs a strong plan here. Making global headlines by doing a backflip here is probably not going to play favourably for him. Given the Olympics are such a high profile event he will need to think beyond local group-think. International reputation has a fairly strong political impact.

 

[Billy ray]

Why is the underground parking even a priority?

Agree. Look at all issues docklands had when it opened re the surface. I know it was partly the orientation but it was also the hardness factor particularly injuries.