Hockey Major Infrastructure Feasibility Study highlights need for more facilities in Brisbane

March 18, 2024

A major Infrastructure Feasibility Study has been released today by Hockey Queensland and Hockey Australia to coincide with the release of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic venue Master Plan (the 60-Day Review).

The Feasibility Study has been in development since July 2023 as a joint collaboration between Hockey Queensland, Hockey Australia and appointed consultants Otium Planning.

Hockey Queensland Chief Executive Alison Lyons notes “Both HQ and HA recognised that the 2032 OIympic Games was an opportunity to make the right investment for the sport with fit-for-purpose facilities, which would also deliver value for money for the taxpayer. The temporary facility originally proposed at Ballymore achieves none of those things.

“The Study was commissioned to review options for a new or redeveloped home of hockey in Queensland that would provide expanded playing opportunities for the hockey community.”

The Study highlights the deficit of seven synthetic pitches to meet the playing needs of the Brisbane community now and forecasts the need for 10 more additional pitches by 2042. The Study also identifies six potential sites that could accommodate major hockey infrastructure, with the Brisbane Entertainment Centre being the preferred site.

Lyons adds “The Study demonstrates there is a desperate need for more facilities in Brisbane and there are additional options that can and should be further explored to provide South-East Queensland with the playing facilities that are desperately required.

“The concept outlined for the Brisbane Entertainment Centre is an example of the possibilities available to create a venue suitable for community hockey that can be scaled up for major events, like the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Hockey Australia Chief Executive David Pryles stressed the dual importance of facilities in creating pathway development for athletes, as well as economic benefits for Brisbane and Queensland that flow from hosting national and international events.

Pryles shares “in the absence of facilities, there are no athletes and no legacy. The Study highlights the confronting reality that Brisbane, as a newly minted Olympic city, has no hockey facilities that could host a national let alone an international hockey tournament.

“The absence of international standard facilities also means that Queensland does not receive any of the beneficial economic returns from hosting these events. Brisbane is routinely bypassed for national and international events, which we host in other Australian States and territories with superior facilities. Many of these events have a beneficial ROI greater than 20:1.”

Pryles said he is confident the Study will inform meaningful investment decisions that will create and enduring legacy for hockey and adds “Legacy starts now and extends through the Games period and into the future post-2032. The legacy we seek develops the whole of the sport, not just the elite. But without sensible facilities investment, there is no Green and Gold Runway – there are just potholes of lost opportunities.”

Download the study here

18th March 2024 - Queensland Government’s Brisbane Olympics venues review recommends scrapping of Gabba rebuild

11th March 2024 - Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris calls for Games building to begin

20th February 2024 - Polytan Asia Pacific restores Parkes hockey pitch

19th February 2024 - Ballymore revenue drives fifth consecutive of profit for Queensland Rugby Union

8th February 2024 - Gabba redevelopment likely to be scrapped after new evidence to Brisbane Olympics venues review

17th January 2024 - Sportway follows Australian launch with Hockey Australia partnership

16th January 2024 - City of Ballarat funds Hockey facility redevelopment at Prince of Wales Park

27th December 2023 - Polytan New Zealand to upgrade Maidstone Hockey turf in 2024

6th October 2023 - Stadiums Queensland venues hosted record 4.9 million patrons through 2022/23 financial year

2nd October 2023 - Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium to host Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship 2023

4th September 2023 - LED lighting upgrade creates safer and more inclusive space at Grafton Regional Hockey Complex

5th August 2023 - Greater Shepparton welcomes 2023 Hockey Australia Championships

31st July 2023 - Hockey Australia and Hockey WA receive $400,000 funding from Western Australian Government

29th June 2023 - $31.5 million National Rugby Training Centre opens at Ballymore

21st June 2023 - GreenFields launches first FIH certified dry hockey turf

21st June 2023 - Hockey Australia releases new strategic plan

20th January 2023 - Otium appoints new senior consultant to Brisbane Office

18th March 2022 - Otium Planning Group appoints new Senior Consultant to NSW office

6th July 2021 - Otium Planning Group extends Generate Network Australia for another three years

28th June 2021 - Otium Planning’s Mike King moves to Senior Associate role in change of Directors

3rd February 2021 - Otium Planning Group establishes National Trek Day

20th November 2020 - Otium Planning highlight consultant’s skills in securing project funding

19th October 2020 - Otium expands consultancy reach in New Zealand with RSL partnership

18th June 2020 - Consultants Otium highlight how aquatic and recreation projects stimulate local communities

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