The Queensland government has unveiled its plans for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, including a controversial new 63,000-seat stadium set to be built in the city's Victoria Park.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli confirmed the new stadium, which is set to cost $3.8 billion.
It abandons speculation that the iconic Gabba cricket ground would get a makeover. It will instead be demolished and replaced by a residential development.
New stadium to be built
One of the biggest questions about the Brisbane Games was whether it would involve a refurbished Gabba or a new stadium.
But Crisafulli said it "wasn't possible" to refurbish the Gabba in time to bring it up to Olympic standards, instead opting to build a new stadium at Victoria Park, which is about 5km north of the Brisbane CBD.
The Save Victoria Park group has been opposed to the proposal to build a new stadium in Victoria Park and plans to take legal action. They argue the project will destroy valuable green space and is a significant site for First Nations communities.
The site is heritage-listed and was previously an important meeting and camping place for Aboriginal people who came from all over south-east Queensland for corroborees (ceremonial meetings).
Victoria Park was converted into a golf course in 1931, but Brisbane City Council announced plans in 2019 to convert the site back into parkland.
Crisafulli had made an election promise that he would not build a new stadium, especially at Victoria Park.
He apologised on Tuesday.
"I have to own that, and I will, and I am sorry, and it's my decision, and I accept that decision," he said.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli promised in last year's election campaign that he would not build a new stadium for the Olympics, especially at Victoria Park. Source: AAP / Jono Searle
"It came down to a choice — a choice between the embarrassment of hosting the games at Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre or a new stadium at Victoria Park," Crisafulli said of the decision.
"It became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy or securing the future of AFL [Australian Football League] and cricket to a new home."
The 'best aquatic centre in the globe' to be built
Crisafulli also announced a new national aquatic centre with a capacity of 25,000 people would be built at Centenary Pool in Spring Hill, which is expected to see some Olympic and Paralympic sports move their headquarters up to Brisbane permanently, he said.
"I confirm it will be the best aquatic centre in the globe," he said.
He also confirmed there would be a "major upgrade" of the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, including a 3,000-seat arena and 12 new courts.
An artist's impression of the National Aquatic Centre, to be developed at the existing Centenary Pool site in Spring Hill. Source: Supplied / Delivering 2032 and Beyond
The Gold Coast will also receive the Olympic treatment, with an athlete's village built at Royal Pines, as well as a new arena and upgrades to roads, railways, and highways.
An athlete's village will also be built in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.
Toowoomba is also set to become the home of horses, with equestrian events to be held there for the 2032 Games, while rowing will be held in Rockhampton.
An artist's impression of the new stadium set to be developed in Victoria Park. Source: Supplied / Delivering 2032 and Beyond
Townsville and the Whitsundays will co-host sailing and Maryborough will host archery.
"Let me assure you that with this plan, we will be ready, Crisafulli said.
"When the eyes of the world turn to Queensland, let them see the great people that call this state home.
"Let them see that we're not Paris, we're not LA. This will be better and it will be the Queensland way."
