Premier’s Games plan blasted as ‘timid (and) meek’

One of Queensland’s greatest Olympians has revealed she is deeply worried about the Brisbane 2032 Games as the Premier’s shock stadium snub was slammed as “timid and meek”.

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One of Queensland’s greatest Olympians has revealed she is deeply worried about the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Champion swimmer and now Triple M radio host Liesel Jones said on air on Monday that she was nervous the Games would end up costing more, after hearing Premier Steven Miles rejections of key recommendations handed down in an independent venues review.

“I’m concerned, this makes me so nervous,” she said.

“I was so confident before about the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. I am so nervous now about what’s going to happen, because we can’t agree on anything.

“We can’t decide on what we’re going to do with the Gabba ... I’m so worried about these Games that they’re going to be costing so much more than we even expected.”

Mr Miles’ rejection of the recommendation to build a new $3.4bn stadium at Victoria Park for the Games has been blasted as a “timid (and) meek retreat for political expediency”.

Peter Edwards, the founder of architecture firm Archipelago, had attracted significant support for his bold plan to build a sporting and events precinct in the sprawling parklands.

The proposal was backed by a thorough review into Games infrastructure, led by former Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

But it was quashed by the Premier just hours after the review was released who instead endorsed spending $1.6bn to upgrade the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre at Nathan, infuriating Mr Edwards.

“When we are on the world stage from 2028 onwards, and the eyes of the world shifts to us, we want to have a powerful story to tell the rest of the world,” the architect said.

“Not this “timid (and) meek retreat for political expediency.

“I don’t quite know that there’s a satisfactory explanation about the shape of our city in 15 years’ time but with a stadium everyone’s telling us (is) going to fall down at the Gabba and a polished up Nathan, what does that mean for us in legacy?”

Mr Edwards said images of the QSAC venue with an oversized kangaroo mascot at the 1982 Commonwealth Games “was the very symbol of the joke of the Aldi games”.

“And now it’s actually been put forward as our strategy barely four hours after the peer the peer expert review suggested you kind of do the opposite,” he said.

Peter Edwards of Archipelago. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris said the body accepted the findings of the Quirk review but stressed the Games delivery “must move swiftly”, echoing sentiments from the Queensland business community.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games must fit the region, not the region fit the Games, and we will use venues and infrastructure made available to us,” Mr Liveris said.

“Time and cost estimates are of the essence and progress must move swiftly.

“The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee is committed to ensuring we remain self-funded, and we will review venue use for the Games, while considering optimising revenue, reducing costs and enhancing the athlete experience.”

A Brisbane Lions spokesman said the AFL side was hopeful the new precinct at Victoria Park “would be explored further”, noting two reviews had found the Gabba was reaching its end of life capability.

Meanwhile, Brisbane Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy welcomed the government’s commitment to upgrade Suncorp Stadium to be used as a venue during 2032.

“Suncorp has always been at the heart of sport in Queensland, but by the 2032 Olympics it will have been 30 years since the stadium’s last major upgrade,” he said.

The popular Archipelago vision for a stadium complex at Victoria Park. Picture: ARCHIPELAGO

“This investment will ensure we can keep providing Broncos members and fans – and supporters of all sport and entertainment alike – with world-class experiences in to the future.”

Business Chamber Queensland chief executive Heidi Cooper urged the government to “get on with the job” of building the Olympics infrastructure so Queenslanders had certainty.

“Queensland was in the enviable position of having a decade-long planning period for the 2032 event,” she said. “Now two years in, it’s time to get on with the job.

“We need to think big. We need to think bold and we need to act now.”

Ms Cooper said a “world-class” stadium in Brisbane was needed for the Olympics but would not be drawn into debate on the best option.

“Investment in a world-class stadium in the heart of our city is essential to ensure we have a successful Games and it will also mean Brisbane can be a global city for decades to come,” Ms Cooper said.

“We want our city and our state to shine, a world-class stadium in Brisbane will allow that to happen.”

Premier Steven Miles. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Brett Fraser said it was “critical that infrastructure development gets underway”.

“In nine years’ time Queensland will be hosting the biggest sporting event on the planet,” he said.

“Any infrastructure development or enhancement will leave a great legacy for the region, and will benefit the local tourism, hospitality and events industry.”

Newly re-elected Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he was briefed on the Quirk review and heard about the state government’s alternative plan for a new stadium at QSAC.

“I’ll be seeking a meeting with Premier Steven Miles about this plan as well as the government’s proposed independent delivery authority,” he said.