The Miles Government has agreed to almost all of the 30 recommendations made in the independent Sport Venue Review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The review, led by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, outlines key changes to venue infrastructure, with a focus on legacy benefits for the state and value-for-money outcomes.
The review, which gathered over 900 submissions and held 130 meetings, recommends the construction of a new Brisbane Arena in the Roma Street precinct, while upgrades are planned for the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium. However, the proposed new stadium at Victoria Park has been ruled out due to uncertainties surrounding costs.
The government also announced the Gabba rebuild will not proceed, instead opting for a more modest enhancement of the existing facility. This decision means the Gabba will continue to be the home of AFL and cricket in Brisbane, without displacing the East Brisbane State School, which had been slated for relocation.
The upgrades to QSAC and Suncorp Stadium are set to improve the venues, which are among the most frequently used in Queensland. In 2022-23, QSAC hosted nearly 782,000 visits, including a significant number of community and school events.
The government is also exploring expanded transport links to QSAC, which could enhance access to Griffith University, QEII Hospital, and surrounding precincts, providing a legacy of improved connectivity for Brisbane’s southern suburbs.
The review panel’s report, which was provided to the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Grace Grace, highlights the importance of leveraging existing and planned infrastructure to maximize legacy benefits. The new Brisbane Arena, which will be located in a connected precinct with a focus on walkability and accessibility, is considered a vital piece of infrastructure that will serve the community long after the Games.
The review also recommended that the proposed Breakfast Creek Indoor Sports Precinct at Albion be replaced with a new indoor sports centre at Zillmere or Boondall. Similarly, the upgrades to the Toowoomba Sports Ground will not proceed, though the government will explore opportunities to host other Games events in the region.
Premier Steven Miles emphasized that the recommendations align with the government’s commitment to delivering lasting benefits for Queenslanders.
“No one wants to see money spent on facilities that are only needed for four weeks,” said Premier Miles.
“This new direction will deliver decades of benefit to local schools, community athletics programs, and Olympic and Paralympic athletes in 2032 and beyond.”
Minister Grace Grace also expressed gratitude for the comprehensive review and the extensive community input that informed the process. She noted that with the recommendations now in place, the government is poised to move forward with due diligence on venues, ensuring the Brisbane 2032 Games will leave a lasting legacy for the state.
The government will now proceed with the delivery of venues, including those at the Sunshine Coast and Chandler precinct, and work closely with the Commonwealth Government, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to finalize plans.
IOC Vice President John Coates praised the upgrade of QSAC, highlighting the importance of a legacy venue for Australian athletics.
“The IOC will make available its Games construction experts to advise on the upgrades to QSAC, ensuring the full $1 billion of suggested upgrades are needed,” said Coates.
Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris reiterated that the Games must fit the region. “We will use the venues and infrastructure made available to us,” Liveris said, stressing the importance of timely decision-making as the venue and sports program plans are finalized.
The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to bring significant economic benefits to Queensland, with a strong emphasis on creating infrastructure that will serve the state long after the Games have ended.
