RNA Showgrounds site of new boutique stadium as Gabba rebuilt

A boutique 20,000-seat stadium will be constructed under a state government plan to host AFL and cricket while the Gabba is redeveloped for the 2032 Games. SEE THE PICTURES

An artist’s impression of the new boutique stadium at the RNA Showgrounds

• Editor’s view: Clock is ticking

A boutique 20,000-seat stadium will be constructed at Brisbane’s inner-city RNA Showgrounds under a state government plan to host AFL and cricket fixtures while the Gabba is redeveloped to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the government has offered almost $50m towards the estimated $150m construction cost – but with Brisbane City Council, the RNA and the two affected sporting codes being asked to pay the remainder for the project.

The subject of where last year’s AFL grand finalists the Brisbane Lions would play between 2026 and at least 2030 while the Gabba was redeveloped has proved a contentious issue, with Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Steven Miles telling The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane event last Friday a decision could still be months away.

But Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has revealed the state is willing to chip up to $45.7m for a permanent seating bowl below a temporary grandstand at Machinery Hill as part of a $137m main arena upgrade to also create a “lasting community legacy” to bring together the city and country – and offer somewhere for the country’s biggest codes to have fixtures during the redevelopment.

An artist’s impression of the new boutique stadium at the RNA Showgrounds

“Upgrading the RNA main arena means keeping the big games in Brisbane and supporting the visitor economy while delivering an Ekka legacy for uniting city and country,” he said.

“Most Queenslanders acknowledge cricket and the AFL will need somewhere to play during the Gabba redevelopment.

“With many families facing cost-of-living pressures, the upgrade of RNA’s main arena is a logical solution, representing the best value for money for Queenslanders.”

Mr Hinchliffe also acknowledged the support of Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner – who has been a vocal supporter of the RNA upgrade – and said he wanted to thank him for his “public backing for an upgrade of the historic main arena at the RNA Showgrounds and retaining the economic benefits of sport and jobs here in Brisbane”.

Under the deal, the government has also demanded the venue be only 12,000 seats in “legacy mode” after the Games – to ensure events are not taken away from the rebuilt Gabba, which is costing $2.7bn to redevelop.

A plan of the new boutique stadium

But Mr Schrinner hit out at the state government’s offer, describing it as “half-baked.

“It was the state government’s decision to tear down the Gabba so it’s the state government’s responsibility to find the Brisbane Lions and Heat a temporary home,” he said.

He also said decisions such as this highlighted the need for an independent infrastructure authority to make plans for the Brisbane 2032 Games.

“I’m pleased the state has finally recognised that Brisbane teams should keep playing in Brisbane while the Gabba is redeveloped,” he said.

“However Lions and Heat fans will rightly be angry the State’s failure to make a proper funding commitment to this temporary stadium risks leaving their teams without a home.”

It is understood stakeholders were only told about the funding proposal on Thursday and were shocked the government expected a further $100m be put forward towards a facility only required because of the Gabba redevelopment.

New images of the Gabba Stadium ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Picture: Queensland Government.

It is also understood council was in the dark about the move – given the RNA site is not a council facility.

Lions chief executive Greg Swann said dialogue between the club, the government and other stakeholders needed to progress “as quickly as possible” to ensure the project could be funded and finished by the 2026 season.

“Naturally, a displacement of four or more years represents a major upheaval to the Lions as a club, our fans and members, and we need to ensure we’re as strong as possible to return to the Gabba when it is complete,” he said.

Mr Swann also said it was “pleasing” to see the government supported the RNA option, and the process was “finally moving forward”.

“As the government has said, today is a starting point, and there is a lot of detail to work through,” he said.

A number of proposals have been raised for where AFL and cricket matches could be played during the multi-year redevelopment – including the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre in Nathan, the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium and the Lions’ training ground at Springfield.

Mr Schrinner has previously said the redevelopment of the RNA was 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”.

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

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

“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.”

Mr Hinchliffe said work on the RNA main arena would need to begin by next year to be ready for the 2025-26 cricket season and the 2026 start of the Gabba redevelopment.