‘Anchor renewal’: How Infrastructure Minister Catherine King believes Olympics will transform Brisbane
The federal government has defended its financial commitment to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the Infrastructure Minister revealing how she expects it to change the city.
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Roads and arenas built for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be used to grow the economy, while the Brisbane Arena will spark urban renewal across the city, according to Infrastructure Minister Catherine King.
It follows the Federal Government committing $3.4 billion towards Olympic infrastructure, including the proposed new Brisbane Arena above Roma Street.
Ms King, speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, also took the opportunity to take aim at the Coalition for the lack of detail in its earlier 50-50 funding split with the Queensland Government.
She said the Federal Government would use its investments to grow the economy and improve communities, not just prepare for the two week event in 2032.
“The Brisbane Arena, right in the heart of the new Roma Street precinct, will anchor urban renewal across that part of the city,” Ms King said.
“It will change how the place feels, how we interact with it now and into the future.
“It will deliver a great facility for athletes, yes, but after the two weeks are over it will leave an even better space for the community to use long into the future.
“Brisbane 2032 provides an opportunity to transform the city of Brisbane.”
The Albanese Government came under fire as it took nine months to come to a detailed agreement with the Palaszczuk Government on the funding split for the Olympics.
It agreed to a $7 billion package, with the Commonwealth chipping in $3.4 billion, outlining which projects would be included and specifying that the Federal Government would not contribute to the Gabba Stadium revamp.
“We inherited from the previous Prime Minister one line in a letter, with no funding
appropriated, no actual venues chosen and no costings completed,” Ms King said.
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