SEQ’s defect-riddled stadiums need major repairs ahead of Olympics

Cracked concrete, corroded roofs and a termite infestation are among the hundreds of recently reported defects at major stadiums across south-east Queensland.

The list of maintenance jobs reveals the work that needs to be done – separate to the construction of any new venues – ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The defects were revealed in QBuild maintenance assessment reports, produced for Stadiums Queensland between 2021 and 2024 and obtained under the Right to Information Act.

Of all the venues assessed, the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre had the longest list of maintenance issues.Credit: Pete Wallis

An inspection of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre revealed a corroding roof that will require 10,200 square metres of new sheeting, and 14,000 old and stained seats that will need to be replaced.

More than 220 issues were logged across the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler, including 8300 square metres of aged roof sheeting at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, 34,100 square metres of deteriorated bitumen across its car parks, cracked concrete columns in a plant room that need investigating, and approximately 175 old light fittings.

The Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) at Nathan, which the Miles Labor government previously slated to be converted into a temporary athletics stadium for the Games, has the longest list of issues of all the venues.

Reds players celebrate a winning performance against the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on the weekend.Credit: Getty Images

There are termites in the food outlet, 9250 corroded or missing bolts and screws across its stands, 1160 ageing and weathered seats, 6000 rusted screws in that seating, and four cold rooms that need replacing.

Additional quantity surveyor reports reveal sections of The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium will be at the end of their “remaining useful life” before 2032.

Suncorp Stadium’s northern grandstand fitout will notionally expire by 2029, while critical elements of The Gabba’s eastern, northern, southern and western grandstands will reach the end of their life by 2028.

There is nothing in the reports to suggest these venues are unsafe, however the documents highlight the need for urgent maintenance work.

Olympic and Paralympic Games Minister Tim Mander blamed the former Labor government for a “critical underspend in repairs and maintenance”.

“It is deeply concerning that the appropriate investment hadn’t happened over the last 10 years, and now we’ve got to play catch-up,” he said.

Stadiums Queensland, which spends about $40 million a year on maintenance across its $4 billion portfolio, insisted its venues were of “a high standard”.

“Like all Queenslanders, we look forward to putting our best foot forward at Brisbane 2032 and will prioritise works required at event and training venues in our maintenance schedule ahead of the event,” a spokeswoman said.

QUT professor Robin Drogemuller said the list of defects was unsurprising given the age of the structures and the warm, humid climate.

An independent review of venues, and the LNP government’s response, will be formally released next week.

The sport program will be finalised next year, under a decision that pre-dated the start of the review.

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