2032 Games infrastructure tsar Stephen Conry says new stadium must not have corporate name

The man who drove the 100-day review into infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games says there is one thing the state must avoid when opening the new stadium at Victoria Park.

Queensland cannot make the same mistake as Perth by allowing its 2032 stadium to bear the name of a corporation, the head of the 100-day Olympic review has declared.

In the wake of handing down the long awaited - and final - venue review, Stephen Conry on Friday declared Victoria Park must be named “Brisbane Stadium”.

“Why give naming rights away to a commercial entity for the promotion of their brand? Why face the risk of the stadium’s name changing multiple times?” he said.

Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority chair Stephen Conry. Picture: Richard Walker

“Optus stadium, it’s situated in Perth, but you wouldn’t know that.

“Brisbane needs all the help it can get ... why not have the word Brisbane mentioned around the name, rather than Optus or Suncorp for God’s sake.”

The state government is yet to accept the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority recommendation to name the stadium after Brisbane.

Mr Conry revealed the board had “pushed hard” for more money outside the $7.1bn funding envelope and were knocked back.

An artist impression of the likely Brisbane Stadium in Victoria Park for Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Source: Queensland Government.

“The state and federal government are in advanced negotiations to change the nature of that agreement, then the flexibility there is to do more things that our report couldn’t,” he said.

The Property Council is pushing for tax reforms that will invite more private investment to help pay for Games infrastructure.

In a glowing review of the work of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority, Mr Conry said the Victoria Park site emerged as the “unparalleled” choice for the main stadium.

He said Queenslanders had become “sick and tired of the endless talk of uncertainty” and it was now time to rejoice in the Games prospect.

Mr Conry praised The Courier-Mail for its early and ongoing advocacy for 2032.

“I particularly acknowledge Jason Scott, who’s with us today, who, since the very early days, was very positive about the Olympic and Paralympic Games for Brisbane and our city’s capacity to deliver them,” Mr Conry said.

“You could see, Jason, what needed doing, and you helped big time, mainly behind the scenes, and congratulations and thank you for that.”

The state government will introduce legislation to empower the GIICA board to begin the Games delivery.

Legislation will “make sure we’re crystal clear on who has to do what” and outline planning authorities of each government department.

“I guess if we had our time again, we would have asked for 150 days,” Mr Conry said.

“100 days was somewhat rushed. But after 1300 days since we won the right to host the Games, we had to get on with it.”

Originally published as 2032 Games infrastructure tsar Stephen Conry says new stadium must not have corporate name