Future Brisbane: It’s the Gabba – Exclusive details, key features of new stadium revealed
The state government has committed to a complete demolition and rebuild of the Gabba as the centrepiece of a precinct that will have three new bridges, 880 apartments and capacity for live concerts in front of more than 80,000 people.
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The Palaszczuk government has declared its unequivocal commitment to completely demolish and rebuild the Gabba as a new report reveals the precinct will have three new bridges, 880 new apartments and capacity for live concerts in front of more than 80,000 people.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles chose The Courier-Mail and Sunday Mail’s sold out Future Brisbane summit to release the project validation report, declaring the $2.7 billion option is “best bang-for-buck”.
He said the full rebuild ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will pave the way for Queensland’s largest urban renewal since South Bank development for Expo ‘88.
The Palaszczuk government’s pledge to demolish the stadium has been widely contested by the Opposition, Greens and local community groups.
But the validation report supports the costly rebuild, detailing significant building codes and standards concerns with the “ageing asset”, with current concerns over accessibility for disabled attendees as well as no sufficient female or gender-neutral facilities for professional athletes.
The validation cites a previous stadium task force report which raised concerns from engineers over the stadium’s “inherent structural issues that would require significant upgrade works to ensure the Gabba meets current minimum engineering standards”.
The complete demolition will also allow for 360-degree internal access for serviceability, which will reduce traffic concerns and streamline delivery of catering and equipment for major events.
This will also reduce the impact to surrounding residents by removing the need to close roads during games and concerts.
The Courier-Mail can also reveal new images showing the stadium rebuild will provide uninterrupted pedestrian access from the future train station through two new footbridges over Main Street.
There will also be a third pedestrian bridge over Stanley St.
The redeveloped Gabba will seat 50,000 for sporting events while also providing Brisbane with a new world-class venue for concerts with capacity of up to 83,000 — 23,000 more than Suncorp.
“This isn’t just about a stadium upgrade,” Mr Miles said.
“We’re going for the best bang-for-buck and giving Queenslanders a new, modern stadium with all the finishes, because it is the best value for money, and it will deliver much more than a stadium.
“Having a modern, safe, accessible, and globally recognisable stadium will help draw more national and international events, and we know one concert can produce up to $5 million in visitor spending in our economy.
“We’ll be able to host concerts with between 60 and 80,000 spectators so if you think about why we missed out on the Tay Tay (Swift) tour – we’ll be able to have her playing at the Gabba,” he said.
When asked about the future of the Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket, Mr Miles said those discussions were ongoing and he hoped to “firm that up in months”.
“We’re still working through that,” he said.
“We had to finalise this investment decision on the Gabba.
“We know they need somewhere to play.”
The validation report has provided a first-look at the demolition and construction timeline, with the design process to begin from early next year with demolition to kick off following the Ashes Test match in late 2025.
Construction is due to commence in 2026 with the government hoping the stadium will be complete in time for the following Ashes series hosted in Australia in the 2029/30 summer.
The validation report said the Gabba, in its current form, has limited public transport options for events, does not meet requirements to host track and field events and lacks the ability to attract “premium content”.
“The Gabba does not regularly host events such as concerts, exhibitions, and other special events due to site accessibility and operational issues,” according to the report.
“In particular, the field of play has restrictions with respect to the weight of event overlay it can support and must be protected in order to maintain its integrity for sporting requirements such as Test Cricket standards and AFL venue guidelines.”
The decision to demolish and rebuild the Gabba will deliver social and economic benefits, according to the validation report’s analysis.
“The construction phase of the rebuilt Gabba, the operation, and the increased capacity and capability to host new major events at The Gabba after Brisbane 2032 will support ongoing, sustainable economic benefits,” it said.
“The economic analysis assessed the economic impact attributable to the rebuilt Gabba’s ability to attract new major concerts and events, relative to the existing Gabba Stadium.”
Brisbane Lions Chairman Andrew Wellington said the club welcomed the Gabba redevelopment update, and said the Lions supported both the Brisbane 2032 Games, and the plans.
“It’s pleasing to hear the Project Validation Report has been approved and the process to rebuild the Gabba can move forward,” he said.
“The venue has been our home for the past 30 years and the redevelopment ensures it will be fit for purpose for the next 30 years.”
Mr Wellington also said the Lions looked forward to hearing a more detailed Gabba update – particularly on where the club would play doing the four years the stadium would be out of action.
“As a club we’re likely to hit 60,000 members in 2024, we’re the hirer attracting the largest crowds, we’ve had seven sell outs this year and I have no doubt we will be filling the new Gabba on a regular basis prior to the Olympics and for years to come,” he said.
“We understand the need and also the wider benefits this project and associated urban renewal works will bring to the City and the wider precinct as a result of projects like Cross River Rail.
“There’s benefit here for commuters, event goers, new community spaces and the delivery of a commercial and a residential precinct inclusive of affordable housing opportunities.
“We look forward to receiving a more detailed Gabba update and a decision on the Lions displacement venue from Government in the near future, recognising the needs of our many fans and the extended period of displacement.”