New Brisbane Olympics funding deal likely within weeks

A new funding deal for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games will likely be announced within weeks, after a radical change in venue delivery forced a renegotiation.

The former $7.1 billion federal and state agreement was based around a Gabba rebuild and a Commonwealth-funded arena at Roma Street in the CBD.

It had to be renegotiated when the Crisafulli government instead backed a privately built Gabba Arena on the GoPrint site, with the main Olympic stadium confirmed for Victoria Park.

Anika Wells and Tim Mander at QSAC on Thursday. Credit: William Davis

“The discussions … are incredibly positive,” Queensland sports minister Tim Mander said during a visit to the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, which would have been the centrepiece 2032 venue under the former state Labor government’s delivery plan.

“I’m very confident that an agreement will be made shortly.”

Standing alongside Mander, federal counterpart Anika Wells said: “I agree with Tim that this is a matter that you will hear from us on soon.”

“We understand that people want to see us get on with this” she said.

“We understand that people want to see work advance as quickly as possible.”

Neither clarified a timeline, but sources at both levels of government have told this masthead an announcement is likely, but not guaranteed, within the next month.

Mander did confirm negotiations for upgrades at other sites are continuing behind the scenes, with soccer venue Perry Park and QSAC potentially in line for revamps.

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority recommended both venues receive additional funding to act as Olympic and Paralympic training facilities.

QSAC was elected by the Miles Labor government as the central venue for Brisbane’s 2032 games. Credit: William Davis

Football Queensland has been pushing for a Perry Park upgrade to host everything from community sport to A-Leagues competition, while Australian Athletics says without significant investment at QSAC, Brisbane would be without a permanent international-standard athletics venue.

Victoria Park would not include a permanent running track in legacy mode, instead hosting AFL and cricket.

“Look, legacy has been one of the foundations that we’ve used with regards to making our decisions, and all the sports want some form of legacy,” Mander said.

“… I’m just asking people to be just a little bit more patient as we work through this.

“There are a lot of decisions to be made, but I can guarantee you there’ll be legacy in those sports.”

Mander said he remained “very confident” rowing would be hosted at the controversial Fitzroy River course in Rockhampton, but Wells was less certain.

“I don’t think anyone would challenge my passion for being a Queenslander,” she said.

“But as the Australian sports minister I am elected and charged with the responsibility of making sure that all Australian taxpayers feel there is value for money and all Australian taxpayers feel that they have a place in the Brisbane 2032 Games.”

GIICA recommended rowing be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith, while Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi has previously said the decision on whether the Fitzroy River was suitable for competition would ultimately be made by World Rowing.