Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Arena could be built near Gabba site

As uncertainty about the Gabba’s redevelopment continues, the location of the new Brisbane Arena is also being reconsidered.

HAL Architects’ concept for Brisbane Arena (left) adjoining a rebuilt Gabba.

• Editor’s view: Pulsing city heart

Brisbane Arena could be built alongside the Cross River Rail station at Woolloongabba on vacant land to stimulate housing and jobs if the new stadium is not built there.

While public focus of the government’s 100-day Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure review has largely been on where the track and field will be held in 2032, the location of Brisbane Arena is also being reconsidered.

The $2.5bn Arena was planned to be built at Roma Street Parkland after early investigation found the initial plan to build it above the railway station there would be too costly.

However, the 100-day review is understood to be taking another look at the Arena.

Under consideration will be the best location and cost of the arena – which is slated to host swimming, water polo finals, and Paralympic swimming in a drop-in pool.

As The Courier-Mail reported yesterday, HAL Architects has proposed relocating the arena to Woolloongabba’s disused old state government printing site – across Main Street from the Gabba – where work to build Cross River Rail is nearing completion.

While the site is large enough for the building, there are fears a large concourse and pedestrian areas needed for the Games would not work.

Rebuilding the Gabba is a challenge, but locating Brisbane Arena at Woolloongabba would take advantage of the major railway station due to open before 2029.

HAL Architects’ proposed Gabba Olympic precinct

Sydney Olympic Bid chief executive Rod McGeoch said yesterday the Arena built for the 2000 Games – now Qudos Bank Arena – was located next door to its major stadium.

He said Brisbane could have a similar plan: No problem, it works perfectly.”

The HAL Architects proposal includes a major new concourse over Main Street and an off-road pedestrian spine that would link Brisbane Arena through the hospital precinct to South Bank.

The state government has applied a Priority Development Area ruling around the Gabba to facilitate the construction of homes for 24,000 people and 34,000 new jobs.

While the anchor venue remains uncertain, Queensland Investment Corporation is continuing work on plans to activate the precinct.

A spokesman said: “While master planning of the Woolloongabba precinct is subject to the Queensland Government’s 100 Day Review for the Games, QIC’s job remains to maximise opportunities and connectivity on the site – which a mixed-use, future-focused and transit-rich urban neighbourhood can deliver.

“Final decisions regarding 2032 infrastructure will provide the certainty required to responsibly proceed with the next phase of planning aligned with state requirements.

“QIC will be engaging with the Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority through this process.”

An earlier Brisbane Arena concept incorporated a drop-in pool.