Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner backs push to transform RNA showgrounds for sport

With debate over where the Lions and Heat will play during the Gabba rebuild, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says he strongly believes the teams “need to play in Brisbane”. VOTE IN POLL

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has backed a push to transform the RNA Showgrounds into a stadium suitable to host AFL and cricket – saying it was a “no-brainer”.

With the Gabba set to be completely knocked down and rebuilt ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a number of sporting codes will need new homes for at least four years from 2026.

While a number of proposals were currently on the table – including playing at Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Nathan, the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium and the Lions’ training ground at Springfield – Mr Schrinner said he was a strong believer that the Brisbane Lions and the Brisbane Heat “need to play in Brisbane”.

“That’s what tens of thousands of football and cricket fans want to see happen while the Gabba is being redeveloped, so that’s what should be delivered,” he said.

“From the options on the table, clearly the upgrade of the RNA’s historic arena is a no-brainer.”

The Lord Mayor, who travelled to Tokyo alongside Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk two years ago to secure the Brisbane 2032 Games, also said it “makes sense” to do the upgrades on the RNA given it will be the site of the Olympic equestrian events.

“The arena already needs significant improvements to host events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.

“Getting this work done earlier so football and cricket can play at the RNA while the Gabba is out of action just makes sense.

“This will ensure the significant economic benefits of hosting big AFL and cricket games isn’t lost during this time.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner at the RNA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills. Picture: Adam Head

The RNA would also soon have a full-time Cross River Rail station, plus two Brisbane Metro stations at Herston and the RBWH.

“This is an enormous opportunity to make the RNA arena a real asset for our region that residents and visitors can easily travel to for sport and live music as well as their annual pilgrimage to the Ekka,” Mr Schrinner said.

A Brisbane Lions spokeswoman said the club “ remain in an ongoing dialogue with the State Government and other stakeholders regarding the Gabba redevelopment and the displacement period.”.

“We will update Lions members, fans and the wider community in due course when a decision has been made,.” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk announced in February the total redevelopment of the Gabba would occur at a cost of $2.7bn – entirely funded by the state government.

Bids into the market for the development, which will result in a new 50,000 seat stadium, will be later this year.