News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News

[Grasshopper17]

They have to maximise the Cross River Rail

So if you demolish the GABBA and have a 15k Rod Laver style arena (retractable roof) like the Brisbane Entertainment centre there it can be used for NBL, WNBL, Netball, concerts etc and you sell the land left over and the light towers to property developers for some coin and get some $ from the AFL to help with the Vic Park cost

AFL could sell 25% or 50% of their share in Marvel to stump up $500m or so for Vic Park for say a 25% share in the new QLD Stadium

Make the capacity 70k, or at least allow the potential for it to hold 70k, and give the AFL a viable alternative Grand Final host venue in 30 years when the current contract expires.

Think big folks.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

A Gabba rebuild to me is replacing the hideous coloured seats.

 

[SizeMatters]

My thought is that if vic park happens, what will happen to the Gabba once its built? Will it just get demolished? But I do believe it's the best scenario, because it saves the headache of the lions finding a temporary ground to play in for the next few years. The thought of our peak years being spent playing in Gold Coast or are brighton is really quite depressing. Also, can we make sure that if Vic Park does happen, it will match the exact dimensions of the MCG?

After some TLC - Stadium for the 2038 third QLD expansion team?

 

[Happy_Neale]

Thinking about it the GABBA rebuild probably makes the most sense politically unfortunately. Means they get what basically equates to a ‘new’ stadium without having to backflip (sorry Johnny Bananas ) on their election promises plus it delivers the legacy option as well. And all they have to do is displace that backwater sport AFL for a few years to make it happen.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Thinking about it the GABBA rebuild probably makes the most sense politically unfortunately. Means they get what basically equates to a ‘new’ stadium without having to backflip (sorry Johnny Bananas ) on their election promises plus it delivers the legacy option as well. And all they have to do is displace that backwater sport AFL for a few years to make it happen.

Yeah politically it's the only thing Crisafulli can do. I've kinda resigned myself to it at this point. Would have preferred Vic Park or Hamilton, but here we are. See you at Carrara in 2027 everyone!

 

[Dalions]

Yeah politically it's the only thing Crisafulli can do. I've kinda resigned myself to it at this point. Would have preferred Vic Park or Hamilton, but here we are. See you at Carrara in 2027 everyone!

There is another option still at this point.
And that’s to build a stadium via Consortium/Private investors.
That way the Government doesn’t have to pay and he is therefore not backflipping on his election promise of “no new stadium” if it is not being paid for by Tax Payers.

 

[Perrip]

There is another option still at this point.
And that’s to build a stadium via Consortium/Private investors.
That way the Government doesn’t have to pay and he is therefore not backflipping on his election promise of “no new stadium” if it is not being paid for by Tax Payers.

There was a report earlier in the year that a group of private business bosses had approached senior LNP people about doing this.

 

[Dalions]

There was a report earlier in the year that a group of private business bosses had approached senior LNP people about doing this.

Had also heard that Labour were considering a backflip on their QSAC plan if they had won on the weekend too.
Possibly also leaning towards a private built stadium.
But it is all just scuttlebutt I guess until we hear anything more formal.

 

[Section 5]

A lot of posters seem to be changing their mind over Crisafulli "no new stadium" stance.
Lots were saying after the election he will change his mind and spin his way out. Thats still a chance of course.

He has a few ways out. He just needs to give smarter conditions in the terms of reference to the review panel.
As long as he does not stipulate "no new stadium is to be considered" in the terms of reference, he will be fine.
This way whatever the panel comes up with he has a way out. Much easier to spin it then.
However, don't hold your breath that he will word it that way though.
Politicians are about everything political not what's logical or on spending public money wisely.

The best way for Lions and cricket to get a new stadium and stay at The Gabba is for the Federal Government to drop their commitment and funding for Brisbane Arena.
They can site a variety of reasons. Then there's plenty of money for a new stadium.
The spotlight should now fall on them now with an election in the next 6 months.
If you are in the Lilley federal electorate, Anaka Wells is the Minister for sport.
She has a meeting with David Crisafulli in the very near future after his phone conversation with the PM
If you are outside her electorate i doubt you get a reply.

 

[Section 5]

Thinking about it the GABBA rebuild probably makes the most sense politically unfortunately. Means they get what basically equates to a ‘new’ stadium without having to backflip (sorry Johnny Bananas ) on their election promises plus it delivers the legacy option as well. And all they have to do is displace that backwater sport AFL for a few years to make it happen.

I pointed out to Anika Wells Federal minister for Sport that a rebuild is a new stadium.
Also saying David Crisafulli would surely know this and is just playing with words.
She has a meeting in the near future with David Crisafulli.

 

[Grasshopper17]

The best way for Lions and cricket to get a new stadium and stay at The Gabba is for the Federal Government to drop their commitment and funding for Brisbane Arena.
They can site a variety of reasons. Then there's plenty of money for a new stadium.
The spotlight should now fall on them now with an election in the next 6 months.

Right. So another 6+ months of absolutely ZERO PROGRESS being made. On ANYTHING.

Got it. Fantastic.

 

[mighty_lions]

I pointed out to Anika Wells Federal minister for Sport that a rebuild is a new stadium.
Also saying David Crisafulli would surely know this and is just playing with words.
She has a meeting in the near future with David Crisafulli.

that's also what annoys me, "no new stadium", well wtf is a rebuild

 

[Schache_off]

Perhaps Ive got the story mixed up but I thought the Gabba was pretty unlikely as part of the solution for the olympics. The space between Vulture and Stanley street being too narrow for a stadium that will be suitable for the olympics. One of the main reasons being they still would have poor access for driving equipment under the stadium which limits the ability to use the stadium for other big events. The other one was access for people with disabilities so I assume if they want a big stadium for track and field, the Gabba doesn't work for the Paralympics.

 

[wantok]

I have written to Tim Mander congratulating him on his resounding win and highlighting the political impact of ignoring the needs of the Lions and the greater AFL as well as Queensland Cricket in their future decisions. Crisafulli and Mander are Rugby League tragics and will naturally through personal history or poor knowledge devalue other codes. Get active folks. It'sTime.

On SM-A525F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Section 5]

Right. So another 6+ months of absolutely ZERO PROGRESS being made. On ANYTHING.

Got it. Fantastic.

It is going to be 3+ months minimum anyhow before the Premier makes any decision
I don't hold out hopes that Anika Wells will change course. But no pressure has been put on them like it was on Miles.
They have votes to consider now after Labor lost quite a few Brisbane seats.
The stadium issue was part of why they lost seats in Brisbane in my opinion. Other issues were bigger, but the Olympic stadium was also a big issue.
I could be cynical and say that with the new premier we no longer have to worry about cost of living or crime so that only leaves the stadium as a big issue.
There is a petition to stop the new site at Roma Street Parklands (RSP). However, that is set to go to the Qld government.

Also Swimming Australia are not finished either. The submission they made to Qld. Labor in February fell on deaf ears.
They will now focus it towards the Commonwealth government.
They do not want a drop in pool. They want a new facility. They also think the Brisbane Arena funding could be put to better use without any suggestions other than a new swimming venue.

Anika Wells reply to me in March was there is no push from the Qld Government to drop the Brisbane Arena, and at present they are tied to Brisbane Arena under the funding agreement.
She also mentioned they will have to approve any findings on the total costs of the Brisbane Arena.
The funding agreement can be changed as it was when Miles went with QSAC. it will change again.

 

[Section 5]

Anyone contacting Tim Mander or Anika Wells please keep you opinion civil.
Especially any federal Minister as the first auto reply has the sentence below.

"Correspondence that is threatening or intimidatory will be forwarded to the Australian Federal Police."

 

[GenericUsername202]

A Gabba rebuild to me is replacing the hideous coloured seats.

Used to work to our advantage 5 years ago when we couldn't draw a crowd above 20,000. The coloured seats gave the illusion there were more people than there actually was, lol.

 

[Section 5]

Perhaps Ive got the story mixed up but I thought the Gabba was pretty unlikely as part of the solution for the olympics. The space between Vulture and Stanley street being too narrow for a stadium that will be suitable for the olympics. One of the main reasons being they still would have poor access for driving equipment under the stadium which limits the ability to use the stadium for other big events. The other one was access for people with disabilities so I assume if they want a big stadium for track and field, the Gabba doesn't work for the Paralympics.

Some of the things you mentioned are correct. Below is other concerns Graham Quirk had with a rebuild.

Crisafulli most likely has not even read the Quirk review. If he has God help us over the next 4 years.
At the time he would have just been against anything Labor proposed.
To be fair, that's any oppositions political party's stance though.
Now he actually has to do something. A bit of catch-up reading would be a good starting point.
Hopefully he comes around but i am not confident he will.
Below from the Quirk review

 

[Pride of lions]

Some of the things you mentioned are correct. Below is other concerns Graham Quirk had with a rebuild.

Crisafulli most likely has not even read the Quirk review. If he has God help us over the next 4 years.
At the time he would have just been against anything Labor proposed.
To be fair, that's any oppositions political party's stance though.
Now he actually has to do something. A bit of catch-up reading would be a good starting point.
Hopefully he comes around but i am not confident he will.
Below from the Quirk review

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How anybody could even consider a rebuild of the Gabba after reading this review would have to be totally negligent. A new 60,000 seat stadium is the only sensible solution for the future of sport and entertainment in Brisbane. And the cost of building a new stadium would be more cost effective even if construction was slightly greater than a Gabba rebuild (which is highly unlikely) considering the vast number of additional patrons using the much larger stadium in the future. It is very dispiriting to see the small minded thinking of the political class in Queensland who can't seem to grasp the opportunity to look past their own time in office. Hopefully sanity prevails, although it seems unlikely at this stage. Having yet another review is pointless,what more do they need to know?

 

[Section 5]

News tonight
Crisafulli looks like changing his mind on pill testing.
Will consider it for upcoming schoolies period.
So, who would know regarding a new stadium

 

[Perrip]

MCM (Chandler-Mather) has signalled that he will oppose any possible redevelopment of the Gabba proposed by the new Queensland Government.

Brisbane Times: Gabba opponents prepare for round two in fight against rebuild

 

[Section 5]

MCM (Chandler-Mather) has signalled that he will oppose any possible redevelopment of the Gabba proposed by the new Queensland Government.

Brisbane Times: Gabba opponents prepare for round two in fight against rebuild

Paywall that one
Probably his same stance going back to 2022, possibly earlier
Now the State election is over he will go again since Crisafulli mentions rebuild in the mix.
Did not want to do anything leading up to the State election though.

 

[Perrip]

Paywall that one

"If the LNP think that they can come back into this community and decide to demolish a public school and a public park ... they should look back to what happened to the last premier that tried that,” Chandler-Mather said."
"Because if the LNP want to base their platform and remind people of the Newman years by coming out here and one of their first actions being announcing demolishing a public school, then they are going to have a massive campaign on their hands."
"My message to Crisafulli is: do not make the same mistake that the Palaszczuk Labor government did.”

Now the State election is over he will go again since Crisafulli mentions rebuild in the mix. Did not want to do anything leading up to the State election though.

Because they don't have a plan. I spoke to a few Greens volunteers who spoke about this issue, which came up in multiple electorates when door knocking. They reckon that Qld Greens MPs don't have an actual alternative for the school or the stadium.

 

[Nunez]

I’m just glad someone got my niche reference

I didn't but confess it was amazing in hindsight

 

[PattyKwasagun]

Can't imagine the LNP Lord Mayor would be saying this to the LNP Premier unless it was genuinely a possibility.

Also quite a turn from how vehemently Schrinner came out against a Vic Park stadium at the start of the year.

Lord Mayor Says Victoria Park Must Be Considered In Olympic Venue Review

The new independent Olympic infrastructure review must consider Victoria Park, the lord mayor said as Queensland’s new premier confirmed the Brisbane 2032 stadium debate would be finally put to rest in about four months’ time.

Premier David Crisafulli said the clock would start ticking on his promised 100-day review sometime next month, when the board of the independent Olympic infrastructure delivery authority was constituted.

“That’s a lot of work to do in a short period of time, but it’s important that we put a road map forward, and within that 100 days, you’re going to get something that Queenslanders are proud of,” he said.

That review should consider all options, including Victoria Park, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner told the regular Brisbane City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Crisafulli had previously said there “can’t be new stadiums” built for the Games – seemingly ruling out the park being redeveloped as the centrepiece of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and a long-term AFL and cricket venue.

In an earlier address to the council chamber, Save Victoria Park spokeswoman Sue Bremner had called on the lord mayor to “put all that speculation to rest” and declare there would not be a stadium built on the site while he was in power.

Schrinner said he could not rule anything out until the outcome of the review was known.

“However, there has been only one independent review of Olympic venues conducted [the Quirk review], and that independent review recommended Victoria Park as a location,” he said.

During the council meeting, former Labor deputy mayor David Hinchliffe could be heard from the public gallery saying Schrinner’s position was an “absolute disgrace”.

“Former councillor Hinchliffe is good at opposing things, I will tell you he’s very good at that, and he’s back at it now,” Schrinner said in a delayed response.

“But I know a little bit of history and I know that sometimes people want things to happen, sometimes the wider community wants things to happen.”

Before losing power, former premier Steven Miles had settled on the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre as the main track and field venue, citing the advice of Australian Olympic supremo John Coates and rejecting former lord mayor Graham Quirk’s independent venue review that recommended Victoria Park.

On Tuesday, Coates was asked about the review, and his position on any changes to the existing plan for Games venues. He replied: “Ask the premier.”

“I’ve dropped the premier a note,” Coates said. “He knows where I stand. It’s up to him to speak on it.”

The Quirk review was commissioned after the cost of previous premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s plan to rebuild the Gabba ballooned from $1 billion to $2.7 billion.

There has also been a private sector push for a new stadium at Hamilton, which would form the centrepiece of a $6 billion property development on crown land.

Schrinner said all proposals needed to be considered, but immediately rejected two of the four options that have been suggested.

“My view is that the Gabba won’t work, the Gabba won’t stack up. There’s a reason why it fell over in the first place, because it just would not work,” Schrinner said.

“We are going to see a thorough assessment of different options, including the Gabba, including QSAC – I can tell you that definitely won’t work, I think everyone agrees that won’t work – but this process needs to happen.”

Federal Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather on Monday warned any return to the Gabba would be vigorously opposed by his party and the community.

The premier brushed that aside on Tuesday.

“I’m not overly worried about what his commentary is, I’m worried about what Queenslanders think,” Crisafulli said.

“I want Queenslanders to know that that independent infrastructure authority is what we’ve always said needed to happen, and there will be people ... who have got one interest, and that is making sure that we create something that’s world-class.”