Brisbane 2032: Former lord mayor Graham Quirk doubles down on snubbed Games plan

The man whose $450k government-funded review of the Brisbane 2032 Games was snubbed by the Premier says politicians must be brave and “make the right decisions” instead of playing politics, reinforcing his arguments in support of Victoria Park.

Politicians must be brave and “make the right decisions” instead of playing politics former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk says, responding to Premier Steven Miles tearing up his key recommendation to build a new stadium at Victoria Park for the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Asked whether he would have made the same recommendation if he was still a politician, Mr Quirk told The Courier-Mail and Nova’s Toward the Games podcast: “if you make the right decision, if you do it for the right reasons … the politics will always look after itself”.

“That was always my view – that you’ve got to build up a trust with people,” he said.

“People might not agree with the decision, but they’ll respect it.

“And over time, I think you can win the political day because you’re doing the right thing, and you’re making the right decisions for the right reasons.”

Mr Quirk also said it was “crunch time”, and the longer the state government took to finalise plans “the more expensive it’s going to be”.

“You’ve got to get on with it and build this stuff” he said.

“Because the other reality is that there’s so much pressure in the construction and building sector.”

Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk with his Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games venues review. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

On why he did not recommend an upgrade to the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre – the decision Mr Miles on Monday said the state government would push forward with – and instead proposed a new $3.4bn stadium at Victoria Park, Mr Quirk said it would have been a “great opportunity”.

“It (Victoria Park) had the space around it. Every major tier one oval stadium in Australia is built on a park,” he said.

QSAC stadium, formerly the QEII, at Nathan has been deemed the best location for athletics at Brisbane 2032, despite being considered not value for money.

“Victoria Park had some terrific advantages, because you’ve got the Cross River Rail Exhibition station.

“You’ve got the Herston Brisbane metro station, the Kelvin Grove Brisbane metro station, Royal Brisbane hospital Brisbane metro station, so there were lots of options there.

“Also, you’ve got carparking opportunities at the RNA Showgrounds. So it had a lot to offer.

“And we believe that there was a site that was already disturbed … that would have been a great opportunity.”

Asked on his feelings about Mr Miles defying one of his key recommendations, Mr Quirk said “in life, you can never let things get you too far down” but the report had been delivered “in good faith”.

“We were we were out there seeking the fit-for-purpose venues, venues that could be delivered,” he said.

“And most importantly, in the panel’s view, value for money and community legacy – not just legacy for sport, but community legacy, and that drove every single recommendation that we made in the report.”