Gabba redevelopment likely to be scrapped after new evidence to Brisbane Olympics venues review

February 8, 2024

Nigel Benton

Finance / Government / Sport / Venues /

New doubts have emerged over the planned redevelopment of Brisbane’s Gabba ahead of the 2032 Olympics after the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) laid out a series of new options that would not require the rebuilding of the stadium.

On Tuesday, a delegation including AOC President Ian Chesterman told the review into the infrastructure plans for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games “we believe there are other, more creative solutions than rebuilding the Gabba for the Games which provide a legacy for our sports and even greater access for fans to an exceptional Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The AOC delegation recommended using existing Brisbane venues instead, including Suncorp Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in Nathan for athletics.

Interviewed after addressing the review, former AOC President and International Olympic Committee Vice-President John Coates advised that he had told the review that the $2.7 billion rebuild of the Gabba had become a “distraction” that risked turning people against Brisbane’s hosting of the Games.

The AOC delegation were the latest stakeholders to address the 60-day review into the Games infrastructure ordered by Queensland Premier Steven Miles as one of his first acts when taking on the role.

Headed by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk the panel is reviewing the Games master plan, including a proposal to demolish and rebuild the Gabba.

In a statement released today, Chesterman went on to say that the governing body “fully supports” the review process, noting “he IOC’s ‘new norm’ process is designed to ensure the Games are both affordable and sustainable, with a strong preference for the use of existing or temporary facilities

“We believe there are other, more creative solutions than rebuilding The Gabba for the Games which provide a legacy for our sports and even greater access for fans to an exceptional Olympic and Paralympic Games. We will put these ideas to the review committee.”

In a subsequent statement, Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President, Andrew Liveris, declared Coates’ views “should be listened to very carefully”, noting “I lament the loss of time, and the distraction that has taken a little away from the amazing accomplishment of winning these games.

“We need to move forward post haste after this independent review is completed. We need to not re-litigate every decision on venues and infrastructure.

"It is the Queensland Government's role to deliver venue upgrades because investment decisions on infrastructure should be made with the needs of the growing local population in mind."

Liveris added “the Games should fit the region, not the other way around."

The rebuild of the Gabba - the world’s third-most expensive stadium project - would have required the demolition of a neighbouring heritage-listed primary school and the use of a nearby park for an athletics warmup track.

AOC Chief Executive, Matt Carroll, told a Senate inquiry last year that the Gabba rebuild was not required by Olympics organising bodies in order to hold the Games.

Recommended by the AOC for track and field event, QSAC was the primary venue for the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games and will be 50 years old as of 2032.

A Stadiums Queensland Taskforce in 2018 recommended its temporary aluminium grandstands should be demolished. A major redevelopment would be required to bring the stadium up to international standard.

The review is set to make its recommendations to the Queensland Government on 18th March.

Images: The Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre was built for the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games (top) and a 2021 concept for the rebuilding of the Gabba (below).

About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.

With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.

Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.

In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.

He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.

Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.

His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.

His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.