Brisbane: A new 60,000-seat stadium and a national aquatics centre will be constructed in an inner-city Brisbane park for the 2032 Olympics, Queensland State Premier David Crisafulli announced on Tuesday, unveiling the third venue plan for the Games.
Crisafulli also confirmed that a 20,000-seat boutique stadium would be built at Brisbane Showgrounds, with some events relocated to regional Queensland. Additionally, Brisbane’s Queensland Tennis Centre will undergo upgrades, including a new 3,000-seat showcourt, while the Gabba ground will host cricket before being demolished post-Games.
The issue of Olympic venues has been a source of significant political debate since Brisbane was awarded the Games in 2021. With this latest announcement, Crisafulli emphasized that organizers could now proceed with the construction and refurbishment of key venues.
“Finally, Queensland has a plan,” Crisafulli stated in Brisbane. “The time has come to just get on with it. We will.”
A previously planned A$2.5 billion ($1.57 billion) indoor arena and entertainment venue, which was to be funded by the federal government, will now be opened to private investment. The redirected federal funds will be allocated to other infrastructure projects.
Crisafulli’s stadium plan is expected to draw criticism, as he had previously opposed building a new arena in Brisbane during his campaign for the state elections that brought him to power last November.
“It’s my decision,” he said. “I wasn’t prepared to take the politically easy option when the truth is that it wouldn’t benefit the state. I believe in this plan, and I think Queensland is going to back it.”
Environmental lobby group Save Victoria Park protested outside Crisafulli’s announcement on Tuesday and had issued an open letter last week, arguing that building in the park for the Olympics would be an embarrassment for Brisbane.
“Do we really want to be known as the city that concretes over its historic parkland for a mega stadium?” asked spokesperson Sue Bremner.
Despite opposition, another major revision of the venue plans appears unlikely. Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) chief executive Matt Carroll has already stressed that a finalized plan must be in place by the end of June.
The AOC welcomed the latest venue plan, calling it “a very positive step towards delivering a successful Games.”
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Best of Queensland
Tuesday’s announcement followed a second review of venue options by a seven-member panel, which submitted its findings earlier this month. The government has adopted over 90% of the panel’s recommendations.
Queensland, a state nearly five times the size of Japan, will see multiple regions involved in hosting the Games. Crisafulli underscored the importance of ensuring the entire state benefits from the event.
Rowing events will be held in Rockhampton, approximately 600 km north of Brisbane, on a river known for its crocodile population. Meanwhile, sailing competitions will take place in the Whitsunday Islands, near the Great Barrier Reef.
Brisbane Organizing Committee chief Andrew Liveris confirmed he had been in discussions with Kirsty Coventry, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) lead for the 2032 Games and the newly elected head of the Olympic movement.
“This is a go-get-it-done plan, and this will be delivered,” Liveris said. “Queensland gets the best of venues, the Games get the best of Queensland.”
