Brisbane 2032 boss wants Gabba ‘done right’ ahead of Games

The boss of Brisbane 2032 has a grand vision for the Gabba, South Bank and river that will transform Brisbane years to come. VOTE IN THE POLL

The boss of Brisbane 2032 has thrown his support behind the Gabba being a “centre of gravity” for the city and the games – but only if it’s “done right”.

Speaking exclusively with The Courier-Mail and Nova’s Toward the Games podcast, Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games Committee (OCOG) president Andrew Liveris said a cost blowout to rebuild the Gabba would be critically examined, but stressed the value of the transformed stadium couldn’t be underestimated.

Demolishing and rebuilding the iconic stadium to become the central hub of the Olympics formed the centrepiece of the city’s winning bid, with an initial estimated cost of $1 billion.

It has since been suggested the figure could be closer to $2.5 billion, with some sections of the community urging the Palaszczuk government to reconsider the development.

But Mr Liveris said the ultimate decision wasn’t the state government’s alone, reminding groups involved about the importance of collaboration.

“Anything that changes in the bid has to go back to the IOC through the joint commission,” he told the Toward the Games podcast.

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The revamped Gabba was the centrepiece to the hosting pitch.

The global business leader stressed the significant spending decisions, such as the main stadium, needs to be consider in collaboration between the organising committee and the state and federal governments.

“Frankly, I think it’s a question that has to be brought to us and answered with scope possibilities,” Mr Liveris said.

“And if it stays where it is, then we understand what the cost ramification is.

“At the moment, it’s mostly sitting in the domain of the state government and then at the right moment, we’ll integrate it into what, in essence, will be an IOC conversation.”

Mr Liveris said no Olympics hadn’t been shocked in the trajectory of the number they thought and the number they did, in terms of projects and infrastructure.

Mr Liveris said the organising committee faces a complex balancing act of negotiating with delivery partners and the IOC’s expectation to adhere to the host contract.

But he was stern on OCOG’s pivotal role and responsibility for putting on the event.

“We’re responsible for everything, but who’s accountable for the spend is different,” the former Dow Chemical chief executive said.

“As John Coates (IOC vice-president) has told me: ‘Andrew, at the end of the day, OCOG will be responsible for everything, because everyone will look at you and your team to implement.”

Liveris wants the stadium and South Bank to be a thriving hub.

The Brisbane 2032 boss said the Gabba “done right” correlates with the legacy of the major sporting event, “building a centre of gravity for the city way beyond the Olympics and Paralympics”.

“I love the notion that our river and our Southbank and our Gabba and all that becomes a hub and hive for arts, culture, sports, and people,” Mr Liveris said.

It is critical for the Games to be concentrated in a central location to boost atmosphere and to allow Brisbane to capitalise on hosting the event and transform into a global centre, he said.

“We’re not a world city yet,” Mr Liveris said, comparing the Queensland capital to contemporary Olympic counterparts London, Paris and Los Angeles.

“So how do we actually put us on the global stage? You can’t make this too spread (out).

“I love the idea of the Gabba done right.”

When pressed on whether this means the current stadium needs to be rebuilt to fulfil his vision for the Games, Mr Liveris said “I have seen the numbers and I reserve judgment on that”.

“I want to see the actual details on what a rebuild will really cost us but if that’s the way it goes, that’s the way it goes.”