Premier David Crisafulli leaves door open for new stadium build
Premier David Crisafulli has opened the door for a new stadium build, despite repeatedly promising that he would not build one for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
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Every Queenslander, including stadium developers and private investors will be invited to submit proposals to the newly appointed Olympics review board.
Premier David Crisafulli has opened the door for a new stadium build, despite repeatedly promising that he would not build one for the 2032 Games.
The government has released the full terms of reference that will dictate the 100-day Olympic and Paralympic Infrastructure review.
The scope of the review will allow the board of seven experts to assess “new and upgraded temporary venues” as well as athletes villages, transport infrastructure and determine the authority of the Games entities.
Mr Crisafulli insisted that the focus of the review will not be on stadiums, but on “generational infrastructure”.
Asked whether the inclusion of the word “new” in the scope meant that new stadium proposals like Victoria Park and Northshore Hamilton would be considered, Mr Crisafulli said “no”.
He also refused to say whether he would honour any recommendation for a new stadium by the board.
In stark contrast, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the scope of works was broad enough to include Victoria Park and Northshore new stadium proposals.
“They (state government) were not expected to build a new stadium but with the terms of reference that have been set up, they’re broad enough to consider all options, and I believe that there’ll be lots of submissions coming in with lots of different options,” he said.
“I’ve read the terms of reference many times over to make sure I’m getting all the subtleties in there.
“I think it looks at new and existing venues that’s mentioned in the terms of reference. And so it’s all on the table there in my reading of it.”
Mr Schrinner said he would like to see the $3bn Victoria Park stadium put back on the table with the help of private investment.
“My gut feeling is that Victoria Park would have to be one of the prime candidates in terms of options, and if you can get private sector investment in that, then that would be a really good option and a really good legacy outcome for the community as well,” he said.
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie, who will oversee the implementation of the Olympic infrastructure plan next year, categorically denied that the review’s scope allowed room for a new stadium build.
“I’m sorry, I reject that entirely,” he said.
Mr Bleijie argued that the scope terms that follow limited the review board’s ability to consider a new stadium.
He asserted that only the existing list of 23 venues, which include new venues, would be reviewed.
“Assessment of the necessity, location, feasibility, delivery approach, overlay requirements, long term impact of proposed venues proposed, they’re the ones already in existence,” he said.
“It’s the new venues that the former government had already announced, they are being reviewed as part of this scope.”
But pressed on whether developers would be invited to submit ideas outside of the original 23, Mr Bleijie conceded “It’s open slather, everybody.”
“I’ve said all Queenslanders can have a say,” he said.
“The board will look at those submissions in line with the terms of reference. That’s the job.”
The government will only consider the recommendations from the review.
But Mr Crisafulli assured the feedback and consultation process between State Development Minister Jarrod Bleijie and the review board on the final infrastructure plan for 2032 would be made public.
Private investment will be relied upon to deliver infrastructure.
“We need the private sector to make sure we deliver generational infrastructure,” Mr Crisafulli said.
The new Olympic review board will have its first meeting on Monday.
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