Stadium in Treasurer’s electorate quietly added to Olympic projects

A new indoor stadium in Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Logan-based electorate has been added to Olympics infrastructure despite not being part of the original bid.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ Logan electorate will get a brand new indoor stadium under the $7 billion venues deal between the state and federal governments for the 2032 Olympics.

The Logan Indoor Sports Centre was quietly added to the list of venues that will share in funding, despite not being part of the original bid.

Mr Chalmers, in India on Saturday for the G20 summit, did not answer direct questions on when he began advocating for the stadium in his Rankin electorate, and whether its inclusion was a prerequisite of the deal, simply stating he was thrilled Logan City would have the opportunity to play a direct role in the Olympics.

No cost detail has been released for the Logan facility, and it has not been flagged to host any Games event as yet, with details on the centre saying “the new Logan Indoor Sports Centre will give the local community what it needs, and could be used as a training or competition venues during Brisbane 2032”.

Mr Chalmers was supportive of a push for the new Logan facility – which was not in any initial Games infrastructure proposals – during negotiations between the state and the Commonwealth government on the funding deal.

Really pleased to announce that as part of the Olympics funding deal agreed today, there’ll be a BRAND NEW STADIUM built in Logan City, funded by the federal & state govts. This world-class arena will deliver a world-class Games & bring long-term benefits to our community #auspolpic.twitter.com/Y9X3zNS7BI

— Jim Chalmers MP (@JEChalmers) February 17, 2023

“Logan is one of the fastest-growing areas in South East Queensland and by 2036 is predicted to exceed 500,000 people,” state government information stated.

“They currently only have one court per 28,000 residents, which is significantly less than surrounding areas.”

Mr Chalmers took to Twitter to celebrate the announcement, saying: “This world-class arena will deliver a world-class Games and bring long-term, benefits to our community.”

He said while the indoor stadium site was yet to be finalised, the venue was “guaranteed to generate local jobs” and “deliver a long-term legacy”.

The total $7bn venues deal was finally signed between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last month, with Queensland set to fund the $2.7bn rebuild of the Gabba, and the federal government taking on $2.5bn for a new Brisbane Arena at Roma St – which will include a drop-in swimming pool for the Games.

An artist’s impression of Moreton Bay Indoor Sport Centre

While announcing the final funding deal during a visit to Brisbane, Mr Albanese noted Mr Chalmers’ role in securing a new facility for his local electorate, saying: “I know my Treasurer’s particularly excited about the Logan Indoor Sports Centre that’s going to be built as well.”

Along with the new Logan facility the two levels of government will split the cost of building five other new venues, including a 12-court indoor sports centre at Breakfast Creek.

The Gymnastics Queensland site at Chandler will be transformed with a new high-performance centre, and will host Olympic gymnastics and Paralympics wheelchair basketball, with 10,000 seats.

A new Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre will host the boxing events, a new Redland Whitewater Centre will host the canoe slalom, and a new Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre will host the Olympic basketball preliminaries. At least 10 venues will be upgraded.

Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure Steven Miles said the legacy of the Games would be infrastructure to cater for the growing population, and ensure the state’s lifestyle for decades to come.