Gabba deal near? State presses ahead with stadium revamp

Work is continuing on the Gabba redevelopment for the Brisbane 2032 Games, even as the funding arrangements are up in the air.

One possible Gabba design concept. The final version will be unveiled in the new year.

Letters reveal work is pressing ahead on the $1 billion Gabba redevelopment for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, despite the 50-50 funding deal with the federal government still being up in the air.

But the release of plans for what the Gabba redesign will look like have been delayed until the new year, despite a promise last month the would be revealed within weeks.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was very confident Queensland would strike a 50/50 Olympic infrastructure funding deal with the federal government, hinting at potential announcements when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was next in town.

It has also been revealed construction is unlikely to start on the Raymond Park athletics warm-up fields until just two years before the Games are set to start.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

It has been revealed in letters sent to Kangaroo Point residents near Raymond Park, where surveying works are expected to start imminently.

The Greens have seized on the letter, with Griffith MP Max Chandler-Mather accusing the State Government of pushing ahead without consulting with local residents or support from the Commonwealth for the redevelopment.

It is understood no decisions have been made for the design of the Raymond Park warm-up fields at this stage, including on the scope of the project and whether or not any resumption of properties will be required.

The State and Federal governments have been at loggerheads over both the 50-50 funding deal, agreed to by the Morrison administration but not the Albanese administration, and the proposed Gabba redevelopment.

Mr Chandler-Mather said the letters were not an offer of consultation but “to inform them that the decision has apparently been made, congratulations, say goodbye to your local park”.

“The Queensland Government is pretending like this decision has already been made, when the Federal Government won’t even confirm if they support building a new stadium, let alone demolishing the Gabba, East Brisbane State School and Raymond Park,” he said.

“As recently as last week, Queensland has said the whole project is still subject to the 50-50 funding deal being negotiated with the Federal Government, which has yet to be agreed upon.”

Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather

Ms Palaszczuk said she was “very confident” about securing the 50/50 deal with the Commonwealth but declined to elaborate further.

Ms Palaszczuk, who on November 10 said the Gabba redevelopment plans would be released within weeks, confirmed those details would be known “in the new year”.

A government spokesman said that as well as the letters, departmental staff doorknocked the area to consult with residents face-to-face.

“The Premier and members of (Organising Committee for the Olympic Games) confirmed commitment to redeveloping the Gabba on Tuesday;” he said.

“The Premier has always expressed confidence in a 50-50 funding agreement with the Federal Government.”