What you said: Mixed reaction to new plans for revamped Gabba

The Gabba is once again front and centre as debate continues around a centrepiece for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. WHAT YOU SAID

The Gabba is once again front and centre as debate continues around a centrepiece for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With the state’s 100-day Olympic infrastructure review now under way, Brisbane architects Hayes Anderson Lynch have proposed a bold 55,000-seat Gabba revamp, taking advantage of Brisbane’s “only globally recognised landmark”. The stadium would be connected to Brisbane Arena via a pedestrian link over Main Street and with immediate access to Cross River Rail.

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The response from Courier-Mail readers has been mixed, however.

Many say the Gabba will never again be big enough, with a stadium at Victoria Park with seating of up to 80,000 able to better accommodate Queensland’s expanding population.

Others have welcomed a new-look a stadium loved by generations of Queenslanders, saying its inner-city location and proximity to public transport and the river made it the perfect spot. But some say the build, and traffic disruptions for locals would be too much.

Gabba Olympic Precinct stadium render, designed by HAL Architects

Two of the biggest naysayers were Queensland Cricket chief executive Terry Svenson and Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann, who are set to pitch the Victoria Park precinct to the review committee on Tuesday.

“We have outgrown it and we have had a full house for the last couple of days and the Lions, for instance, have well over 60,000 members now and heading to 70k I think,” Mr Svenson told 4BC Radio.

Queensland Cricket’s Terry Svenson said local sporting bodies have already outgrown The Gabba. Picture: Lachie Millard

“Greg Swann who I was with over the weekend said nine of their eleven games were sold out. We have got really strong crowds at cricket, test cricket but also the big bash as well and I think we are just landlocked in that area.

“We congratulate the government doing their 100-day review and certainly many good ideas coming out.”

Mr Svenson said he was looking forward to presenting the Victoria Park pitch on Tuesday afternoon.

“It is quite wide and there is a lot of granular detail in terms of what we plan to present to the committee tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Svenson said there were massive logistical issues with the four major roads surrounding the Gabba for both codes.

“We will spend upwards of $100,000 per game on the ability to get our fans across those major intersections,” he said.

Gabba Olympic Precinct stadium render, designed by HAL Architects

“Having … this precinct in Victoria Park, which will have eight entry and exit points, allows the crowd to walk safely and freely to what we believe is the right location for this new stadium.”

WHAT YOU SAID

The Gabba will never be big enough

COREY: Close to the city, minimal disruptions during construction and a legacy for the next generations coming through

JOHN: The Gabba is still too small. 55,000 is not big enough. And what do we do while it is being demolished and rebuilt? Build a new stadium at Victoria Park. Just keep the Gabba going as is with some minor renovations. No way is this new plan cheaper or logical.

MARK: I just don’t see the value in building a 55,000 seat stadium. We already have a 50,000 seat stadium. Build an 70-80,000 seat stadium for the population of the future. Or think really laterally and build a stadium that can have capacity added to it (eg by having another level added later on).

PETER: 55K seats is too small. Go big people. Think of the future, Brisbane ain’t getting smaller.

BEN: 55,000 seats is only building for now. No future Legacy. The Lions have 50,000 members and with this stupid plan, they can’t grow their member base. You can’t make the stadium any bigger than the current footprint and the disruption to traffic during construction will be crippling for our city. Gabba is not the legacy. Victoria Park is the future

REKLAW: The proposal for the upgrade to the Gabba while producing a great new stadium albeit probably too small for future requirements does not take into account the loss of a stadium for the next 7 years. Queensland faces a seven-year period with no test cricket and the resultant decrease in cricket tourism while the stadium is being built. There will also be a much reduced capacity for the AFL games. This needs to be taken into account when the decision to renovate or to develop a new site is considered.

ROSS: 55,000 is too small, has to be 65 to 70,000 stadium, as my old Pappy used to say – if you’re gonna do a job, do it properly or don’t do it at all.

BOSWOZ: 55000 is not enough. At the rate at which Brisbane is growing, by 2032 we will need a 75000 seat stadium. This should then meet Brisbane’s needs for the next 40 years.

Development nightmare

MATT: Has anyone thought of the traffic chaos this will bring to the Gabba area for about 4 years. The Gabba hangs over 2 congested roads morning and afternoon and fed by 2 congested roads. You close these and it will bring the southside and story bridge to a stop.

ROBYN: Clearly this architect doesn’t live anywhere near the Gabba or use those precincts. Worst idea ever

JUDITH: Rebuilding a stadium is the same or more expensive than building a new greenfield site stadium. Have large demolition costs as well as new construction costs.

Gabba site is way too small and congested.

Closed the roads during games.

How ridiculous.

VL: Why on earth would you want a venue where major roads around it have to be shut for big events. That is a clear indication that the site is too small.

MARKUS: Close Vulture and Stanley St for events?! Still haven’t thought it through I see. As the major arterial roads to/from the east side of BNE, Vulture/Stanley St need to expanded/l, not throttled. Cross River Rail doesn’t address this either, or the pedestrian walkway (another vanity project). Due to chronically poor existing road infrastructure in the area, the ‘Gabba can never be a viable option

BEN: Gabba is a mess to exit with 30 thousand people imagine the hot mess it will be with 60k Gabba was always the wrong choice Vic park a much better option for the future

REBECCA: The issue isn’t the design, it is the years of commuter disruption for the southern and eastern suburbs on already at capacity roads. A greenfield site is more practical and minimal disruption to the surrounding area.

REALISTIC: What about the residents living near that area? Nobody seems to care about the torture living there this will bring, during & after construction. Where is the warm up track? What about the traffic? Its woeful right now.

Good idea

JEAN-MARC: At last, this makes sense GABBA the icon.

ANDY: According to Austadiums, the average attendance for Brisbane Lions matches in 2024 was 29,000, with the largest being the qualifying final against Carlton achieving 35,000. Compared to the attendances 20 years ago, it seems like the capacity has been somewhat reduced. So a 55,000 stadium would be a significant upgrade.

JOJO: Makes sense to me. Using existing hard stand instead of ruining precious parkland. An entertainment centre walking distance to the cit, with rail underneath, would make Brisbane a great destination for many events.

EDWARD: seems logical and cost effective, prefer it slightly over Victoria Park … either way is a winner!!

PAUL: Brilliant, transport is there, supporting businesses – pubs and cafes are all walking distance. A truly well thought out plan, which wont need new transportation infrastructure like Vic Park.

NEIL: Best proposal yet, looks good. leave our green space alone. you want more seating turn QSAC into an outdoor concert venue, let’s hope it’s all done in time, with a skilled labor shortage you want to pull your finger out.

ADAM: Makes so much sense having brisbane arena and the new stadium in the same spot. Most logical proposal yet, right next to cross river rail!

JOHN FROM NORTHGATE: What a ripper. The Gabba for sure.

MICHAEL: The Gabba was and is the most logical location. Existing public transport infrastructure, surrounded by local eateries and pubs etc. Just get on and build it so we don’t end up with a Temu version of the Olympics

ANTHONY: Excellent concept. The Gabba is the better choice. Vic Park is Good but not central.

The Gabba area is ripe for redevelopment. No where around Victoria Park is. It’s either heritage protected or over built.

Get on with it

TED: Qld small town mentality as usual. It’s 8 years away – Melbourne/Sydney/perth have huge stadiums NOW!! What will our population be then !! Labor has WASTED so much money, let’s just spend it now on something looking into the future with 100,000+

UNCLE BOB: Just do something, anything, we’re over it. It’s been a long 3 years.

JUZZY M: Would somebody just make a decision already? All these ideas being put forward but no action being taken. I’m over the Olympics already and we haven’t even hosted it yet.

TROY: Get on with it…..Gabba or Vic Park both great proposals- someone just make a decision and get on with it……how many more tax payer funded reviews do we need ?