News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News

[Grasshopper17]

Is there any word on field dimensions? Or is it too early?

Listening to Greg Swann today it's still to be finalised, but the Lions' preference is for it to be similar dimensions to the MCG.

Which I think would be fantastic.

 

[Dalions]

Listening to Greg Swann today it's still to be finalised, but the Lions' preference is for it to be similar dimensions to the MCG.

Which I think would be fantastic.

Could imagine it being a similar length to the MCG but maybe a bit narrower.

 

[Perrip]

Victoria Park stadium cost could hit $5bn - Michael McKenna, Sarah Elks and Mackenzie Scott

The price tag of Brisbane’s new Olympic stadium could hit $5bn, with an unbudgeted upgrade to public transport and access infrastructure for the inner-city site blowing out the declared cost of the 2032 Games centrepiece.
Premier David Crisafulli said the 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park would cost $3.8bn, but on Wednesday conceded the venue’s extra public transport costs were “significant but vital”.
The Australian understands Mr Crisafulli’s hand-picked independent panel only publicly costed the stadium itself, but privately estimated associated infrastructure would force the total cost up to as much as $5bn.
Sources close to the Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority said the Victoria Park stadium – first recommended in a review a year ago by former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk – needed a “massive transport fix” because of its relative isolation from existing public transport.
The stadium is more than a 1km walk from the nearest train station – the rarely used Exhibition station at the RNA showgrounds – and pedestrians would have to navigate major roads, including the inner-city bypass.
Former Labor premier Steven Miles said one of the reasons he rejected the Quirk review’s Victoria Park stadium recommendation was the public transport expense additional to the construction cost.
“Early advice from the Department of State Development was that it would cost $1.6bn to provide transport to the Victoria Park stadium,” Mr Miles told The Australian.
The now-Opposition Leader said he had also been advised that the Exhibition station could not be used during the Olympics because it did not have enough room for passengers to be screened for concealed weapons, and would not meet Games requirements.
There was no detail or cost of the anticipated transport upgrade in the government’s long-awaited 2032 Delivery Plan, published on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Mr Crisafulli acknowledged the stadium and nearby aquatic centre needed public transport improvements.
“The transport costs are significant, but they are vital,” he said. “We need to make sure, particularly the Exhibition station, gets a world-class opportunity.”
Both the Quirk review and the GIICA report found the Victoria Park site needed upgraded pathways and bridges to increase accessibility to public transport, and a further upgrade to Exhibition station to cope with extra passengers.
Mr Crisafulli also indicated that “many billions of dollars” in transport upgrades were needed across the state ahead of the 2032 Games, but were not included in the $7.1bn venues budget.
The $7.1bn federal-state taxpayer-funded infrastructure deal – originally signed by former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Anthony Albanese in 2023 – needs to be renegotiated after Mr Crisafulli removed the federally funded $2.5bn Brisbane Arena from the Olympics plan.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King is urgently seeking more detail from the state, including how much each venue is actually going to cost.
Several of the major Olympics sites – including the new national aquatics centre at Spring Hill near Victoria Park, the 20,000-seat upgrade to the RNA showgrounds main arena, the upgraded tennis centre in suburban Brisbane, the whitewater rafting site on the city’s bayside, the equestrian centre in Toowoomba and the rowing venue in Rockhampton – have not been publicly costed.
The Australian understands the state government does not intend to reveal individual project costs until after construction deals have been negotiated.
Swimming Australia has estimated the new aquatics centre will cost $650m to build, but Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said his department had done its own assessment.
“We have put the figures based on our assessment, not what the venues (sporting codes) have said,” Mr Bleijie said.
Rowing bodies were blindsided by the government’s decision to host the Olympic sport in the crocodile-inhabited central Queensland Fitzroy River, arguing it breaks international rules forbidding a current, tide or stream in an event watercourse.
But Nationals Senator Matt Canavan – who is based in Rockhampton and lobbied the Crisafulli government since he floated the Fitzroy River proposal in January – said there was no flow in the river in winter because it rarely rained.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia confirmed Test cricket would return to the “tired” Gabba in 2027-28 and Brisbane would regain the right to host the first Test of the summer in 2032-33 at the Victoria Park stadium, after the Olympics.
Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird said the body did not intend on contributing to the cost of building the stadium – as the AFL and the Brisbane Lions have indicated they could do – because the sport delivered cricket games that caused an economic boost to the city.
The Gabba will host a day-night Ashes match in December, but will miss out on a Test for the first time in 50 years in the summer of 2026-27 due to uncertainty about the stadium’s future under the previous Labor governments.

 

[Gadzorks]

The Gabba's long farewell will see Brisbane grow up, but lose some of itself

The Gabba has been left behind by Australia's other marquee stadiums, but is also a place where sporting magic happens, with memories that will survive the much-needed move to Victoria Park.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Victoria Park stadium cost could hit $5bn - Michael McKenna, Sarah Elks and Mackenzie Scott

Putting the cost of public transport infrastructure into the cost of the facility is a cheap and nasty journalist trick. People have been demanding an infrastructure and transport legacy from these games, but now adding transport infrastructure that will benefit the surrounding area long into the future is a negative? Nonsense.

 

[mighty_lions]

Putting the cost of public transport infrastructure into the cost of the facility is a cheap and nasty journalist trick. People have been demanding an infrastructure and transport legacy from these games, but now adding transport infrastructure that will benefit the surrounding area long into the future is a negative? Nonsense.

the Australian keep doing it its ****ing stupid

 

[Zacs_Magic_Tooth]

Putting the cost of public transport infrastructure into the cost of the facility is a cheap and nasty journalist trick. People have been demanding an infrastructure and transport legacy from these games, but now adding transport infrastructure that will benefit the surrounding area long into the future is a negative? Nonsense.

I don’t mind seeing the cost of the entire lot of projects highlighted but don’t then quote Steven Miles whose party’s ideas included plucking $1bn out of thin air for the Gabba revamp then $2.5bn for QSAC without incorporating needed infrastructure. Its a false equivalence

 

[Perrip]

I don’t mind seeing the cost of the entire lot of projects highlighted but don’t then quote Steven Miles whose party’s ideas included plucking $1bn out of thin air for the Gabba revamp then $2.5bn for QSAC without incorporating needed infrastructure. Its a false equivalence

That Miles quote is so funny. It was such a major reason why he didn't go with Vic Park, to the point where he now recalls it he lost government, but then doesn't tell anyone at the press conference announcing he isn't going with Vic Park? Come on lol.

 

[Bjo187]

How's the form of Miles now claiming he rejected Victoria park coz it required public transport infrastructure. QSAC had public transport infrastructure then did it? .

 

[notliondown]

Just on the flow in the Fitzroy in Rocky - the river is a regulated flow river ie it's controlled by the barrage. Flows above the barrage can literally be turned on and off in the area that the rowing will be held so I'm not sure what this is all about.

Flows are usually either for flood prevention or environmental flows. During the middle of the year flood water is highly unlikely and environmental flows can easily be postponed for a couple of weeks.

 

[notliondown]

Is there much along the way? I know a lot of people walk from Central to the SCG which is a similar length, partly because the only other option is light rail which is always smashed but also there's pubs and restaurants to drop into.

It would ultimately depend on which way you went when you hit the city side of the ICB.

There are a number of pubs and restaurants at the top of the hill along Leichardt St - admittedly nothing too special at the moment but you can see that change. Further into the suburbs again there are a couple of older pubs that could do with a tidy up but you'd happily drink there.

If you went through Roma St Parkland there is a couple of cafes that you could drop into.

Once you hit lower Wickham Tce/Edward St you hit a couple restaurants and King George square has a couple as well.

Certainly there is not a lot at the start of the walk so by the time you are 15-20 minutes in you should be finding something.

 

[Perrip]

Just on the flow in the Fitzroy in Rocky - the river is a regulated flow river ie it's controlled by the barrage. Flows above the barrage can literally be turned on and off in the area that the rowing will be held so I'm not sure what this is all about.

Flows are usually either for flood prevention or environmental flows. During the middle of the year flood water is highly unlikely and environmental flows can easily be postponed for a couple of weeks.

That's actually really impressive. I had no idea.

 

[notliondown]

How's the form of Miles now claiming he rejected Victoria park coz it required public transport infrastructure. QSAC had public transport infrastructure then did it? .

I'm surprised he even raised his head on this.

The whole plan has been pretty widely acclaimed as the way to go and about time something was set in stone that was sensible and had a focus. His credibility was absolutely shot when he suggest QSAC with a straight face.

It wasn't what sunk him but it helped make him look out of his depth.

 

[notliondown]

That's actually really impressive. I had no idea.

It's been a huge life blood for CQ really - the Fitzroy River system supports huge industry from ag to mining. The system has hundreds of km's of rivers that feed it from the north, west and south with dams and weirs along their lengths.

The barrage is the last "dam" on the river and separates the sea water from the fresh water in the river. The water above the barrage is the freshwater that supplies probably close to 100,000 people and industries as far away as Gladstone.

I doubt you would be allowed to build such a thing now but what those systems economically generate would never been thought possible back when they were built.

 

[Perrip]

Exact location of Victoria Park stadium yet to be decided - Cameron Atfield

The exact location of Brisbane’s main Olympic stadium has not been determined, though one thing is certain – it will be somewhere within Victoria Park.
Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority chairman Stephen Conry said on Wednesday the artistic render released when Victoria Park was announced was indicative only.
That image, with the stadium at the southern end of the park, came from a submission to GIICA during its 100-day review, but the precise location and design for Brisbane Stadium was still to be determined.
The previously publicised Brisbane Bold proposal from architectural firm Archipelago had the stadium further east, and closer to the Inner City Bypass.
Last year’s 60-day venue review, commissioned by then-premier Steven Miles, recommended a new stadium for Victoria Park. The head of that review team, former lord mayor Graham Quirk, told this masthead last year their preferred location was the site of the existing golf club and car park.
Tuesday’s release of the review, and the government’s response, sets the scene for more detailed work to be done.
“There are lots of renders, there are lots of ideas around a stadium,” Conry said.
“Various proposals were put forward. The final design, of course – the final site within Victoria Park – is now to be resolved.”
The venue, which GIICA recommended be called Brisbane Stadium in perpetuity, thus ruling out a naming rights sponsor, would host athletics, track and field, and the opening and closing ceremonies in 2032.
While most stakeholders have welcomed the decision – with the notable exceptions of the Save Victoria Park group, the Greens and the Labor state opposition – Australian Athletics has expressed some reservations.
Chief executive Simon Hollingsworth said Australian Athletics had presented two preferred options to GIICA – for the warm-up track to be kept as a permanent competition venue, or a modest upgrade of QSAC that could be funded in part by the recycling of the temporary aluminium stands, which were installed for the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
Conry said the planned warm-up track, which GIICA recommended be located on the other side of Gilchrist Avenue to the stadium, could be retained as a permanent legacy.
“It won’t be a temporary facility necessarily – it can be a long-term facility with a car park underneath it,” he said.
Hollingsworth said Australian Athletics would welcome any new community facility, but a competition-grade venue was a must.
“As it currently stands, unless something is done, Brisbane will not have an international and national standard venue, and it will be the only capital city in Australia that doesn’t,” he said.
In its report, GIICA recommended upgrades to potential Games training venues, with a “particular focus” on QSAC, along with Perry Park.
As for the Victoria Park stadium’s construction, GIICA expected the design to be finalised by mid-2027, with completion in 2031 – a year before the Games.
Conry said he had no concerns about sourcing a workforce to construct the Brisbane Stadium and other Olympic and Paralympic venues across the state.
“You can see some softening in the labour markets in other states. It’s not softening in Queensland because of the infrastructure spend for the Brisbane 2032 Games,” he said.
Conry was also confident of delivering the stadium within the $3.79 billion budget.
“We will make sure that the design and construction costs are within that budget,” he said.
“We are designing to a budget now, and we believe the number that has been allocated is the correct number.”
One thing the cost did not include was transport links.
“There’s always going to be costs associated with infrastructure that’s not part of the stadium, not part of the Games in 2032,” Conry said.
“Councils and all the relevant authorities will deal with infrastructure that might be required around the Games, including transport, but of course, that’s a separate cost.”
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie told an Infrastructure Association of Queensland breakfast on Wednesday the LNP government could pay a political cost for breaking its pre-election pledge of no new stadiums.
“You all know what we said prior to the election, but we’ll cop that on the chin,” he said.
“The premier [David Crisafulli] made it clear yesterday, we weren’t going to put our political position or political future ahead of what is in the best interest of Queensland.”
At the same breakfast, Conry said it came down to a choice between the Gabba and Victoria Park.
“We found that Victoria Park is an unparalleled choice for a new stadium,” he said.
“The location achieves extremely important criterion for success: to stay as close as possible to the CBD, close to entertainment options – in this case, apart from the CBD, you’ve got Fortitude Valley and Paddington – and close to a variety of transport options.
“We believe we’ve achieved that, and we believe that the decision to proceed with Victoria Park has been widely accepted.”
Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris said the plan had also received the backing of the international Olympic and Paralympic committees, as he confirmed his disquiet last year, when Steven Miles chose the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre as the main stadium.
“I was very quick last year, when QSAC was announced, to basically say nothing,” he told the IAQ breakfast.
“I think you needed to say something. You needed to all say, ‘Is this what you want for your opening and closing ceremony and your athletics?’ because if it is what you want, then we [the organising committee] will go and try to make it work.
“Clearly, it’s not what you want.”
But not everyone is happy with the 100-day review’s plan either.
The Save Victoria Park campaign has raised more than $35,000 in the past two weeks to fund a legal challenge against the stadium’s construction, while other opponents have applied for the former golf course to be heritage-listed.

 

[BigCat2]

Exact location of Victoria Park stadium yet to be decided - Cameron Atfield

The Save Victoria Park group have raised $35000 to fund a legal challenge? Excellent, that'll pay for about 4 days of court appearance for a KC. Assuming said KC is willing to do the preparatory work for free.

 

[OGeez]

The Save Victoria Park group have raised $35000 to fund a legal challenge? Excellent, that'll pay for about 4 days of court appearance for a KC. Assuming said KC is willing to do the preparatory work for free.

Absolute joke, just people trying to protest for anything just to get noticed. Still going to be a parkland with a brand new, beautiful stadium taking up little space in it. Much better than a golf course like it used to be, people can still use it as parkland

 

[Perrip]

The Save Victoria Park group have raised $35000 to fund a legal challenge? Excellent, that'll pay for about 4 days of court appearance for a KC. Assuming said KC is willing to do the preparatory work for free.

$41,395 from 323 donations lol.
People are giving them over $1,000 to spend on this. It's absolutely insane.

 

[Elixuh]

We need BRAB to join their group and bring them down from the inside.

 

[Section 5]

Some legislation needs to be enacted.
If not, it will be a hard getting the stadium project completed in time.

Brisbane Olympics infrastructure body urges LNP to fast-track controversial venues with special laws

Save Victoria Park says it has briefed barristers and could launch a legal challenge to protect the site

www.theguardian.com

“As projects move through the stages of the procurement process it is critical that every effort is made to fast-track the delivery of the infrastructure and venues,” the review said.

“The significant delays caused by years of uncertainty have seen substantial cost escalation due to the current market conditions and now time constraints. Any further delay will only see costs continue to escalate, whilst further exacerbating program risks.

“[Queensland’s] traditional contracting model does not enable GIICA the capacity to address current market constraints, complexity, or time sensitivities of the quantum of infrastructure to be delivered.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...ands-2032-games-planning-descended-into-farce
“GIICA needs the flexibility to adopt alternative models and innovative procurement approaches where required to manage on time and on budget delivery and will work with the Queensland government on exemptions on a case-by-case basis.”

The review said, “critical actions” – including changing planning and procurement processes – for the Olympics “underpinned by a steadfast commitment to ethical processes”.

 

[drapes11]

$41,395 from 323 donations lol.
People are giving them over $1,000 to spend on this. It's absolutely insane.

I am thinking about starting a build the stadium in Vic Park go fund me…

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Some legislation needs to be enacted.
If not, it will be a hard getting the stadium project completed in time.

Brisbane Olympics infrastructure body urges LNP to fast-track controversial venues with special laws

Save Victoria Park says it has briefed barristers and could launch a legal challenge to protect the site

www.theguardian.com

“As projects move through the stages of the procurement process it is critical that every effort is made to fast-track the delivery of the infrastructure and venues,” the review said.

“The significant delays caused by years of uncertainty have seen substantial cost escalation due to the current market conditions and now time constraints. Any further delay will only see costs continue to escalate, whilst further exacerbating program risks.

“[Queensland’s] traditional contracting model does not enable GIICA the capacity to address current market constraints, complexity, or time sensitivities of the quantum of infrastructure to be delivered.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...ands-2032-games-planning-descended-into-farce
“GIICA needs the flexibility to adopt alternative models and innovative procurement approaches where required to manage on time and on budget delivery and will work with the Queensland government on exemptions on a case-by-case basis.”

The review said, “critical actions” – including changing planning and procurement processes – for the Olympics “underpinned by a steadfast commitment to ethical processes”.

Worth restating the the departments concerned, while they take instructions from the majority government, are bodies that operate in a continuous sense and are well aware of what legislative requirement are open to them. The wheels would be well in motion, I believe, to declare a Priority Development Area over most, if not all, of Victoria Park. While nothing would surprise in politics, it would be gross negligence if they hadn't started making preparations once they knew Victoria Park was going to be the venue.

 

[Section 5]

Exact location of Victoria Park stadium yet to be decided - Cameron Atfield

Thanks for the information
My main interest from the article is copy/past below.

I commented that the location would likely not be set until soil and other tests are completed.
So, comparing walk times, hospitality locations are up in the air for now.

The warmup track location appears to be the same as in the Arcadis plan but with a car park underneath.
I am assuming that car park is to make up for the possible closure of Gilchrist Avenue that has 155 car street spaces.

For BF posters longing for plans and nice renders you are looking at mid 2027 for those to appear.
Anything that pops up in the meantime is just someone guessing to get their company name out there.

They are sticking to 12 months before the games as the finish time. Not surprising but the timeline is tight.
At least they have set a design deadline time sort of.

The last one "transport links" still gives my proposal to the Authority to construct a new Olympic purpose-built rail station some hope.
Apparently the new but yet to be finished Exhibition Station is not up to Olympic security standards. Whatever that means.

......................................

The exact location of Brisbane’s main Olympic stadium has not been determined, though one thing is certain – it will be somewhere within Victoria Park.
Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority chairman Stephen Conry said on Wednesday the artistic render released when Victoria Park was announced was indicative only.
“Various proposals were put forward. The final design, of course – the final site within Victoria Park – is now to be resolved.”
Conry said the planned warm-up track, which GIICA recommended be located on the other side of Gilchrist Avenue to the stadium, could be retained as a permanent legacy.
“It won’t be a temporary facility necessarily – it can be a long-term facility with a car park underneath it,” he said.

As for the Victoria Park stadium’s construction, GIICA expected the design to be finalized by mid-2027, with completion in 2031 – a year before the Games.

One thing the cost did not include was transport links.
“There’s always going to be costs associated with infrastructure that’s not part of the stadium, not part of the Games in 2032,” Conry said.
“Councils and all the relevant authorities will deal with infrastructure that might be required around the Games, including transport, but of course, that’s a separate cost.”

 

[Section 5]

Worth restating the the departments concerned, while they take instructions from the majority government, are bodies that are well aware of what legislative requirement are open to them. The wheels would be well in motion, I believe, to declare a Priority Development Area over most, if not all, of Victoria Park. While nothing would surprise in politics, it would be gross negligence if they hadn't started making preparations once they knew Victoria Park was going to be the venue.

Agree but we are talking about politicians where 100 days turned into 150 days.

I just think with the wording of the Authority they want a bit more power to get things moving or more likely stop certain things happening.

 

[Section 5]

Another article for those interested.
I quite like their render for Brisbane Arena/Live.
Just basic but also looks good in my opinion.
............................................

Olympic Plan Locked In: Brisbane Stadium, National Aquatic Centre and Gabba Renewal

Brisbane’s future Olympic identity is set to be reshaped around Victoria Park and Bowen Hills, as the Queensland Government officially confirms a reworked master plan for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

brisbanedevelopment.com.au

Highlights

• New 63,000-seat Olympic stadium at Victoria Park
• 25,000-seat world-class aquatic centre at Victoria Park (Centenary Pool site)
• Woolloongabba to become entertainment hub with Brisbane Live to be privately developed next to Gabba Cross River Rail station
• Gabba stadium to be demolished and replaced by a new urban precinct
• Brisbane Olympic Village to be located now at RNA Showgrounds
• Olympic master plan remains within $7.1 billion joint funding envelope

Woolloongabba Entertainment Hub – Brisbane Live Repositioned & Gabba Demolition​

Artist’s impression of Brisbane Live

With the Victoria Park stadium confirmed, the previously proposed Gabba rebuild has been shelved. The Gabba will instead be demolished to make way for a major urban renewal precinct, leveraging the completed Cross River Rail infrastructure now under construction.
Replacing the Gabba as a venue anchor, the long-mooted Brisbane Live arena — originally proposed for Roma Street — will now be privately funded with a and delivered directly adjacent to the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail station, on the former GoPrint site.
This shift effectively turns the broader Woolloongabba precinct into a high-density, transit-oriented entertainment hub, featuring a new entertainment arena, residential development and pedestrian connections into South Brisbane and the inner city.

......................................

Within the article is a link to a planned thin residential tower in Brisbane.
Interesting just because it is smaller than a house block 486sqm and 37 stories tall

One of Australia's Thinnest Towers Proposed for 466 Ann Street - Brisbane Development

A new DA has been submitted by Treelight Development Group for what will become Australia’s second thinnest tower. Situated at 466 Ann Street, the 37 storey residential tower is wedged between the Mantra Apartments and the New Yorker and has a site area of 486 sqm. The ultra-thin tower measures...

brisbanedevelopment.com.au