New Brisbane Stadium (2032 Olympics)

[RedV3x]

it's simply logical to build a new stadium that can serve the dual purpose of being both the Olympic stadium and the stadium for AFL and cricket post-Olympics.

Remember Perth Stadium is a hybrid stadium It's NOT just about AFL and cricket.That was the government's aim from the beginning - to attract as much revenue as possible. So. AFL, WAFL, soccer, rugby, S.O.O. concerts and every assortment of events.

 

[wizardwaffle]

The same sort of debate went on with the Perth Stadium (except for the temporary stadium bit)
Perth Stadium was completed at a then horrendous cost.
Perth Stadium nearly became a white elephant because the AFL was happy with a profitable Subiaco situation.
Commonsense prevailed and a more reasonable rent was charged for the major tenant
and the stadium has gone on to be a vibrant attraction to the city of Perth.

Lessons to be learnt from the Perth Stadium experience.
1. Get the design right w.r.t.capacity and cost.
2. Get the transport infrastructure right w.r.t. access and cost.
3. Minimize the potential for high ongoing costs.
4. Maximize the potential for revenue by attracting the most sports and events.

Perth Stadium was successful because of the Adelaide Oval. Because of the situation that was caused by the the agreement between the South Australian Cricket Association and the South Australian National Football League and the AFL, the Western Australians where shown how they should go, share in the creation of a major new stadium.

Perth Stadium was created with having athletics hosted at the venue.

The designs for a new Subiaco Oval had been released.

Yep.

It's fine to question why the hell Brisbane wanted and eventually won the Olympics before confirmation about their stadium situation.

It's fine to question how we get to the $3.6 billion dollar amount specifically and whether the build can be cheaper.

Be that as it may, given that they have the Olympics, and given that the Gabba is both at its end of life and has a too small capacity for the Brisbane Lions and insufficient for Ashes and India tests etc. (as much as people want to debate the point and claim that somehow crowd figures from 2014 and not 2024 is more relevant for future attendance estimate), it's simply logical to build a new stadium that can serve the dual purpose of being both the Olympic stadium and the stadium for AFL and cricket post-Olympics.

Queensland anti-AFL political interests pretended on a Gabba rebuild (without having to make it legally confirmed) to placate the AFL interests in the midst of the bid, won the bid, and are subsequently trying to sideline the AFL and cricket post the confirmation of the bid, trying to sidestep the inevitability that the Olympics require an oval stadium and that the AFL also plays in an oval stadium. May the AFL benefit without contributing themselves? Sure. But that's a by-product of wanting the Olympics. Qld political interests wanting their cake and eating it too, to the wasteful expense of billions of dollars of taxpayer money, many of which that taxpayer money would be cricket and/or Brisbane Lions fans, FWIW.

The location of the Melbourne Olympic Stadium had not been decided upon when vote was made.

A few different location were chosen.

There was Princes Park.

There was the Showgrounds.

Melbourne could have lost the Olympics before the MCG was chosen.

The GABBA has not always looked like it does now. Here is how it looked in 1989.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

The location of the Melbourne Olympic Stadium had not been decided upon when vote was made.

I cannot believe I'm saying this, but the politics and economics of building a stadium and hosting the Olympics are so dissimilar from the 1950's to the 2020's to be an almost meaningless comparison.

 

[Section 5]

I have not visited this thread for some time, but it is good to see posters thoughts whether i agree or not.
The build costs appear to be extremely high at over the $3 billion mark for both The Gabba & Victoria Park
It just seems way to high comparing to say the Perth stadium being Australia's last big stadium build.
Having said that us plebs can only work on those figures supplied to being close to what is needed in the budget.
Don't forget this may not even start until the first half of 2026 if we're lucky, so costs will increase.
That's probably why the reported build costs are so high in 2024 terms.

Last night the LNP won the State election and will go to their promised 100-day review of the Brisbane Olympics.
The new Premier David Crisafulli has stated he won't go ahead with the "crazy QSAC $1.6 billion build".
However, he finds himself in the same position as Labor. That's why he also stated no new stadium during the campaign.
He won't have enough money to build a new stadium at the quoted figures of $3 billion plus.
The states contribution to the state/commonwealth agreement is $3.53 billion.
There is $935 million each committed from the state & commonwealth to minor venues. I doubt this funding changes.
These minor venues builds are well under way as they should be after 3 years.
That leaves only $2.595 billion to build a new stadium.
That's if you exclude the $500 million to each of The Gabba & Lang Park under Labor's proposal
Should the LNP go along with those funds for Lang Park and The Gabba that leaves only $1.595 billion for a new stadium.
Now you can see why Labor went for QSAC ($1.6 billion) as that is all the money they had spare.

Without going into it to much the only way i see a new stadium for the Brisbane Olympics (excluding a private/government consortium) is as follows.
Change the state/commonwealth Olympic agreement to 50/50 split which is the usual practice.
Cancel/delay/move the proposed Brisbane Arena originally earmarked for the Roma Street rail station area.
That was until the validation report came in at over $4 billion (Quirk review). Now they are looking at a new site not far away occupying the Roma Street Parklands car park and surrounds. Petitions already underway to stop this. I doubt it comes in under $2.5 billion. Just quietly, not enough scrutiny on this project.
The Brisbane Arena funding is the Commonwealth part of the agreement.
The commonwealth has agreed to a maximum of $2.5 billion for this 17k Entertainment Centre which has a planned drop in pool.
Swimming Australia is very much against this build concept as there is no legacy for swimming.
They have submitted their concerns to the government.
Instead build a new 3 pool complex for $620 million at Chandler which will be a legacy for swimming (Quirk review page 32)
Consider building the Brisbane Arena above the Wooloongabba underground station (near completion) if engineering is feasible. This to commence immediately after the Olympics.
Pull The Gabba down and sell/lease/other options to pay for this or the next option.
Or build it on the Gabba site after the Olympics, together with units/apartments/green space.
..................................................................................................

Below the existing $7 billion Commonwealth funding and what the Miles Government has proposed.

Venue	State Funding (Miles- Not Premier as of yesterday)	Commonwealth Funding
Minor Venues	935,000,000	935,000,000
Gabba Upgrade	500,000,000
Lang Park Upgrade	500,000,000
QSAC	1,600,000,000
Brisbane Arena	Unknown	2,500,000,000 (max)
Total	3,535,000,000 (or more)	3,435,000,000

My suggestion: A new agreement with 50/50 split. Maximum of $3.435 billion from Commonwealth
Gabba upgrade funding still needed to accommodate T20 cricket which will be a huge Olympic money spinner.
Also, maintenance needed on aging Gabba just to get the venue ready for the games.

Venue	Funding
New Oval Stadium Victoria Park (AFL & cricket legacy capacity 60K)	3,200,000,000
Minor Venues State	935,000,000
Minor Venues Commonwealth	935,000,000
Gabba Upgrade	500,000,000
New Swimming Venue Chandler or beside Boondall Entertainment Centre (Quirk Report p 40) 3 pool enclosed complex Capacity 6k permanent 9k temporary	620,000,000
QSAC No Funding Needed
Lang Park no Funding Needed
Spare Funding	810,000,000 (Relocate BMX, Equestrian cross country. Quirk report p32) only part of this money needed
Total	7,000,000,000

 

[Aussie in exile]

I have not visited this thread for some time, but it is good to see posters thoughts whether i agree or not.
The build costs appear to be extremely high at over the $3 billion mark for both The Gabba & Victoria Park
It just seems way to high comparing to say the Perth stadium being Australia's last big stadium build.
Having said that us plebs can only work on those figures supplied to being close to what is needed in the budget.
Don't forget this may not even start until the first half of 2026 if we're lucky, so costs will increase.
That's probably why the reported build costs are so high in 2024 terms.

Last night the LNP won the State election and will go to their promised 100-day review of the Brisbane Olympics.
The new Premier David Crisafulli has stated he won't go ahead with the "crazy QSAC $1.6 billion build".
However, he finds himself in the same position as Labor. That's why he also stated no new stadium during the campaign.
He won't have enough money to build a new stadium at the quoted figures of $3 billion plus.
The states contribution to the state/commonwealth agreement is $3.53 billion.
There is $935 million each committed from the state & commonwealth to minor venues. I doubt this funding changes.
These minor venues builds are well under way as they should be after 3 years.
That leaves only $2.595 billion to build a new stadium.
That's if you exclude the $500 million to each of The Gabba & Lang Park under Labor's proposal
Should the LNP go along with those funds for Lang Park and The Gabba that leaves only $1.595 billion for a new stadium.
Now you can see why Labor went for QSAC ($1.6 billion) as that is all the money they had spare.

Without going into it to much the only way i see a new stadium for the Brisbane Olympics (excluding a private/government consortium) is as follows.
Change the state/commonwealth Olympic agreement to 50/50 split which is the usual practice.
Cancel/delay/move the proposed Brisbane Arena originally earmarked for the Roma Street rail station area.
That was until the validation report came in at over $4 billion (Quirk review). Now they are looking at a new site not far away occupying the Roma Street Parklands car park and surrounds. Petitions already underway to stop this. I doubt it comes in under $2.5 billion. Just quietly, not enough scrutiny on this project.
The Brisbane Arena funding is the Commonwealth part of the agreement.
The commonwealth has agreed to a maximum of $2.5 billion for this 17k Entertainment Centre which has a planned drop in pool.
Swimming Australia is very much against this build concept as there is no legacy for swimming.
They have submitted their concerns to the government.
Instead build a new 3 pool complex for $620 million at Chandler which will be a legacy for swimming (Quirk review page 32)
Consider building the Brisbane Arena above the Wooloongabba underground station (near completion) if engineering is feasible. This to commence immediately after the Olympics.
Pull The Gabba down and sell/lease/other options to pay for this or the next option.
Or build it on the Gabba site after the Olympics, together with units/apartments/green space.
..................................................................................................

Below the existing $7 billion Commonwealth funding and what the Miles Government has proposed.

Venue	State Funding (Miles- Not Premier as of yesterday)	Commonwealth Funding
Minor Venues	935,000,000	935,000,000
Gabba Upgrade	500,000,000
Lang Park Upgrade	500,000,000
QSAC	1,600,000,000
Brisbane Arena	Unknown	2,500,000,000 (max)
Total	3,535,000,000 (or more)	3,435,000,000

My suggestion: A new agreement with 50/50 split. Maximum of $3.435 billion from Commonwealth
Gabba upgrade funding still needed to accommodate T20 cricket which will be a huge Olympic money spinner.
Also, maintenance needed on aging Gabba just to get the venue ready for the games.

Venue	Funding
New Oval Stadium Victoria Park (AFL & cricket legacy capacity 60K)	3,200,000,000
Minor Venues State	935,000,000
Minor Venues Commonwealth	935,000,000
Gabba Upgrade	500,000,000
New Swimming Venue Chandler or beside Boondall Entertainment Centre (Quirk Report p 40) 3 pool enclosed complex Capacity 6k permanent 9k temporary	620,000,000
QSAC No Funding Needed
Lang Park no Funding Needed
Spare Funding	810,000,000 (Relocate BMX, Equestrian cross country. Quirk report p32) only part of this money needed
Total	7,000,000,000

Political parties will say things to get them votes and when they get elected or re-elected they don't follow through with the things they say before elections

 

[RedV3x]

Political parties will say things to get them votes and when they get elected or re-elected they don't follow through with the things they say before elections

Yes and sometimes they do major stuff that they never mentioned beforhand.

 

[Professor Knowall]

Thankfully, following the election, there's positive signs that sanity will at last prevail with the Olympic Stadium situation. Spending $1.6 billion on tarting up the old athletics stadium solely for the games and then demolishing most of it afterwards - at a time when the Gabba is rapidly approaching obsolescence for both the Lions and cricket, was about the dumbest political decision that could've been made for the Olympics.

https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/politics/queensland-premierelect-david-crisafulli-flags-scrapping-qsac-for-olympics/news-story/6b82c8ef1a741ac1af30a31e7da85454

... Mr Crisafulli has repeatedly slammed the QSAC proposal, which he has called a “thought bubble” and an “embarrassment”. He said he had spoken with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Olympics in a Sunday morning phone call.

“I spent a considerable amount of time talking to the Prime Minister about that and we intend to speak directly to the (federal) sports minister (Anika Wells), who is a Queenslander, and I reckon we can get a good outcome.”

 

[Section 5]

Thankfully, following the election, there's positive signs that sanity will at last prevail with the Olympic Stadium situation. Spending $1.6 billion on tarting up the old athletics stadium solely for the games and then demolishing most of it afterwards - at a time when the Gabba is rapidly approaching obsolescence for both the Lions and cricket, was about the dumbest political decision that could've been made for the Olympics.

https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/politics/queensland-premierelect-david-crisafulli-flags-scrapping-qsac-for-olympics/news-story/6b82c8ef1a741ac1af30a31e7da85454

... Mr Crisafulli has repeatedly slammed the QSAC proposal, which he has called a “thought bubble” and an “embarrassment”. He said he had spoken with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Olympics in a Sunday morning phone call.

“I spent a considerable amount of time talking to the Prime Minister about that and we intend to speak directly to the (federal) sports minister (Anika Wells), who is a Queenslander, and I reckon we can get a good outcome.”

“A new stadium at Victoria Park enables a smooth transition, for cricket, AFL and other major events, from the Gabba to the new stadium. ...

The bolded
That bolded part was taken from the Quirk review. Quirk said that.
The way you have it in your post gives the impression that Crisafulli said that. He did not.

However, the first two paragraphs you quoted are from Crisafulli.

 

[iameviljez]

Thankfully, following the election, there's positive signs that sanity will at last prevail with the Olympic Stadium situation. Spending $1.6 billion on tarting up the old athletics stadium solely for the games and then demolishing most of it afterwards - at a time when the Gabba is rapidly approaching obsolescence for both the Lions and cricket, was about the dumbest political decision that could've been made for the Olympics.

I remember the first time I happened upon QSAC. I was pretty gobsmacked, it seemed like an Uncanny Valley kind of stadium in the middle of, well, nowhere.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

I remember the first time I happened upon QSAC. I was pretty gobsmacked, it seemed like an Uncanny Valley kind of stadium in the middle of, well, nowhere.

Not just the cost of a stadium that won't be used post the Olympics, the fact that it would have been Brisbane, SEQ, and Australia's advertisement to the rest of the world is also embarrassing. If advertising the city is part of the reason of paying and hosting the Olympics in the first place, you're handing back some of that value with the QSAC.

 

[iameviljez]

Not just the cost of a stadium that won't be used post the Olympics, the fact that it would have been Brisbane, SEQ, and Australia's advertisement to the rest of the world is also embarrassing. If advertising the city is part of the reason of paying and hosting the Olympics in the first place, you're handing back some of that value with the QSAC.

"Going to Olympics? Why not catch a bus to Mt Gravatt!"

 

[RedV3x]

If advertising the city is part of the reason of paying and hosting the Olympics in the first place, you're handing back some of that value with the QSAC.

That was a large part of the justification for the Sydney Olympics - tourism.
Unfortunately there was no real nett increase
as interested tourists just moved their plans forward leaving a hole afterwards.
To take advantage of the Olympics Brisbane needs a lot of good airline deals to eventuate.

 

[Professor Knowall]

The bolded
That bolded part was taken from the Quirk review. Quirk said that.
The way you have it in your post gives the impression that Crisafulli said that. He did not.

However, the first two paragraphs you quoted are from Crisafulli.

Thank you for picking up on that. I have now deleted the offending Quirk review bit from my post.

 

[Roogal]

That was a large part of the justification for the Sydney Olympics - tourism.
Unfortunately there was no real nett increase
as interested tourists just moved their plans forward leaving a hole afterwards.
To take advantage of the Olympics Brisbane needs a lot of good airline deals to eventuate.

On the bright side, prices of everything will massively inflate before and in particular during the Olympics (Which is not as bad as it sounds BTW). Accommodation, car hire, restaurants, hospitality venues, and even a glass of beer. That was Sydney's experience. In the short-term leading up to and during the Games there will be a lot of money flowing around the tourism and hospitality economy to give it a sharp boost. So it's not all that bad because all of the businesses will benefit from a huge increase in profits for several months. It's just the hangover effect after the Games once everything comes crashing back to reality. Businesses will have to adjust again to a sharp dip in profits and suddenly cut prices to get people back in the doors, rents will drop sharply back to normal and the city will seem rather dead comparatively to the lead up to the Games. But, it will be a chance for the permanent residents to heave a sigh of relief after all of the, security, roadway disruptions, the hysteria and hype before and during the Games.

After all, Brisbane is not the easiest city in Australia to get around now either by road or PT. Travel about the city (at least by road) might well be a complete nightmare during the Games. If I lived there, I would certainly be considering taking my holidays at that time in order to at least avoid travelling to work over that fortnight. History showed that there were a lot of people in Sydney who left the city during the Games and Air B&B rented their homes for a tidy profit. That is another option. You can certainly fund a good trip away to another holiday destination and avoid all of the crush, particularly if the Games isn't your thing.

 

[Section 5]

On the bright side, prices of everything will massively inflate before and in particular during the Olympics (Which is not as bad as it sounds BTW). Accommodation, car hire, restaurants, hospitality venues, and even a glass of beer. That was Sydney's experience. In the short-term leading up to and during the Games there will be a lot of money flowing around the tourism and hospitality economy to give it a sharp boost. So it's not all that bad because all of the businesses will benefit from a huge increase in profits for several months. It's just the hangover effect after the Games once everything comes crashing back to reality. Businesses will have to adjust again to a sharp dip in profits and suddenly cut prices to get people back in the doors, rents will drop sharply back to normal and the city will seem rather dead comparatively to the lead up to the Games. But, it will be a chance for the permanent residents to heave a sigh of relief after all of the, security, roadway disruptions, the hysteria and hype before and during the Games.

After all, Brisbane is not the easiest city in Australia to get around now either by road or PT. Travel about the city (at least by road) might well be a complete nightmare during the Games. If I lived there, I would certainly be considering taking my holidays at that time in order to at least avoid travelling to work over that fortnight. History showed that there were a lot of people in Sydney who left the city during the Games and Air B&B rented their homes for a tidy profit. That is another option. You can certainly fund a good trip away to another holiday destination and avoid all of the crush, particularly if the Games isn't your thing.

I am sure the government of the day will ask people to holiday during the Olympic month.
At present there is 50cent public transport but that may not still be around in 2032.
However, they should offer free public transport during the Olympics
Getting around Brisbane in public transport is pretty good within 8km of the CBD. It is further out it's not great.
Also work from home if that is still a thing in 2032.

I think Brisbane venues will be more spread out than Sydney.
Sydney used 4 interstate capital city venues for Soccer preliminaries. Brisbane will use Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns & Townsville.
Sydney was used for the remaining events according to Wikipedia.
Brisbane will host quite a few sports in the Gold and Sunshine Coast so that should spread the crowds and accommodation around.
Chandler sports center is a problem. It will be difficult to get to as no trains service the area just buses.
The venue is 16km from the CBD hosting gymnastics, diving, water polo, track cycling & BMX racing.
Avoiding sport clash times, when possible, will be the key at this venue.
It has 1100 car parks but apparently no parking at any Brisbane Olympic venues. At this stage anyhow.

 

[The Victorian]

I am sure the government of the day will ask people to holiday during the Olympic month.
At present there is 50cent public transport but that may not still be around in 2032.
However, they should offer free public transport during the Olympics
Getting around Brisbane in public transport is pretty good within 8km of the CBD. It is further out it's not great.
Also work from home if that is still a thing in 2032.

I think Brisbane venues will be more spread out than Sydney.
Sydney used 4 interstate capital city venues for Soccer preliminaries. Brisbane will use Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns & Townsville.
Sydney was used for the remaining events according to Wikipedia.
Brisbane will host quite a few sports in the Gold and Sunshine Coast so that should spread the crowds and accommodation around.
Chandler sports center is a problem. It will be difficult to get to as no trains service the area just buses.
The venue is 16km from the CBD hosting gymnastics, diving, water polo, track cycling & BMX racing.
Avoiding sport clash times, when possible, will be the key at this venue.
It has 1100 car parks but apparently no parking at any Brisbane Olympic venues. At this stage anyhow.

Will have buses to the venues from train stations. Worked a treat in Paris. I was there

 

[Section 5]

Will have buses to the venues from train stations. Worked a treat in Paris. I was there

Hope you had a great time in Paris. It would have been a great experience.

Buses can go just about anywhere so i think Brisbane will probably rent/borrow more from interstate.
Never been to Paris so i searched the Paris metro. It is rated as very good with 308 stations on 16 lines.
At a guess the bus trips you mention may not have been far between station and Olympic venue for the majority of venues.
Regarding the Chandler sports precinct.
The map below indicates where the Chandler Sports precinct is located. Red circles the precinct
The closest rail is the Cleveland line and quite a distance from the Chandler venue. The rail is the Blue/Green color way north of Chandler
There is no rail line that's relevant south of Chandler.

 

[errant bounce]

The GABBA has not always looked like it does now. Here is how it looked in 1989.

What a ****in shithole!

 

[Section 5]

Machinery needed a ramp to go over the dog track for cricket
Things eventually improved.
The question is what will happen now with the Olympics 7/8 years away.
......................................................................................



On Friday 1 December 1978 a crowd of 14,026 turned out to the Gabba to watch the first day of the 1978 England vs Australia Test match.

Ashes test at the Gabba 1978. (The Courier Mail)