Queensland government announces pause on Brisbane’s Olympic and Paralympic Games
A move by new Premier Steven Miles and his deputy Cameron Dick could potentially spell the end of the controversial $2.7bn Gabba redevelopment.
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New Premier Steven Miles has been urged not to be a “fool” by a group of fiery protesters rallying against the Gabba redevelopment outside Brisbane Parliament House on Thursday morning.
Greens Lord Mayoral candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan and South Brisbane MP Amy McMahon addressed the crowd as attendees chanted, “Steven Miles don’t be a fool, let us keep our park and school.”
The rally of about 50 people was organised by Rethink The Gabba kicked off from 7.45 and went until 8.30am.
Rethink the Gabba Inc Co-Chair Daniel Angus said with the Premier herself emphasising renewal, we urge her successor Steven Miles and the Labor caucus to seize this opportunity to listen to the voices of the community and build a foundation for future success of the Olympic Games.
“Steven Miles has a timely opportunity to demonstrate his genuine commitment to renewal and to consultative leadership by rethinking his party’s position on the Gabba,” he said.
“By engaging in an open and transparent dialogue with the community, he can help build a truly sustainable and inclusive legacy for Brisbane and Queensland.”
Signs were held by rally goers which said “Miles of Olympic debt,” and “Sham Consultation Shame on you”.
Mr Sriranganathan said he maintained the proposal would waste billions, shut down the only public primary school in one of Brisbane’s fastest-growing communities, destroy public parkland and displace lower-income renters.
“We don’t need a review to tell us this project should be scrapped,” he said.
The protest rally came just a day after it was revealed that a “pause” on the mega infrastructure pipeline for Brisbane’s Olympic and Paralympic Games will give the government time to consider their position on projects like the controversial $2.7bn Gabba rebuild Treasurer Cameron Dick has said.
Mr Dick, releasing the government’s mid-year budget update, reaffirmed the decision by incoming Premier Steven Miles to conduct a 60-day review of Games infrastructure once the independent authority is set up.
“We need to pause,” he said.
We’re just going to have a review, we’re going to take time to consider that and we’re going to set up that independent authority.
“So there are some moving parts there that we’re going to reflect on as a new government.”
In an effort to distance himself from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s controversial handling of planning the 2032 Olympic Games, Mr Miles announced he would move to establish a delivery authority and conduct a 60-day review of the venues masterplan.
It is understood he has spoken with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and David Higgins, the chief executive of the London 2012 Olympics Delivery Authority.
Mr Miles – who was the minister assisting the outgoing premier on Games infrastructure – has committed to an independent body to assess the plan for the main stadium for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, following severe backlash and Opposition pressure.
It will also review the contentious proposal to demand council and sporting stakeholders to pay tens of millions of dollars to convert RNA showgrounds into a boutique stadium to host AFL and cricket while the Gabba is out of action.
But Mr Miles insists the $2.7 billion stadium rebuild is not necessarily shelved.
“What I’ve said is that I support an independent delivery authority and that I want there to be a review of the major venues master plan,” the soon-to-be premier said.
“That will happen (and) that will again look at the Gabba and those displacement issues.
“Every other time I’ve asked those questions, the advice back has been that the Gabba redevelopment is absolutely necessary to host Brisbane 2032.
“But I think it’s reasonable for us to be absolutely assured of that before we finalise those tenders.”
Mr Miles said the preliminary work into the major redevelopment will continue while the independent delivery authority carries out its analysis.
“What I’m saying is that I want to be absolutely assured that it is the best value outcome for Queenslanders and I want to also make sure that we have a good displacement plan,” he said.
“A good plan for the Brisbane Lions and for our cricket teams to make sure that they have somewhere good to play in the time that needs to happen.”
Mr Miles is “convinced” a delivery authority is the way to deliver Games infrastructure, a person familiar with the discussions revealed.
They said the Deputy Premier was pushing to remove partisan politics from the Games planning following strong feedback from stakeholders, who expect more engagement from the government.
The overhaul delivery would reverse Ms Palaszczuk’s long-held refusal to relinquish government control of Games infrastructure.
Ms Palaszczuk thwarted attempts for an independent infrastructure authority and used Deloitte advice which recommended the decision-making be contained within the state government.
Allegations of political interference in Olympic Games infrastructure exploded on December 4 when Mr Schrinner accused the government of attempting to “extort” ratepayers for some $40m for an upgrade to the RNA Stadium.
Mr Schrinner walked away from an intergovernmental forum and is understood to be holding firm on the need for an independent infrastructure agency.
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