Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Fate of Brisbane Arena to be revealed

Premier David Crisafulli’s final Games plan, revealed at a special event on Tuesday, hangs on a $2.5bn decision made by the federal government.

The status of a Brisbane Arena under Premier David Crisafulli’s plan is set to be revealed.

• Editor’s view: Let Games begin, finally

Brisbane will get an Olympic stadium at Victoria Park and billions of dollars in new sporting infrastructure, but Premier David Crisafulli’s final Games plan hangs on a $2.5bn decision made by the federal government.

Almost four years after Brisbane won the rights to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the state government will use The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane lunch to announce what is expected to be the final infrastructure blueprint.

On the eve of the venue announcement, Mr Crisafulli delivered his strongest indication a new stadium would be built at Victoria Park despite his pre-election promise of no new stadiums.

WATCH LIVE: STREAM THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM NOON

The fate of the other major venue, Brisbane Arena, rests on the federal government allowing its $2.5bn of funding to be repurposed for other venues.

It is understood the state government is proposing the Brisbane Arena be built by a joint-venture partner on Woolloongabba’s Go Print site, which alongside the Gabba would be offered on a peppercorn lease.

The soon-to-be-opened Cross River Rail station would service the Brisbane Arena and link the Gabba with a pedestrian plaza over Main St.

Prime Minister Anthony last week refused to say whether the federal government would withdraw its $2.5bn funding for an inner-city arena if the project was axed, adding its importance extended beyond the Games.

Mr Crisafulli, speaking at a joint news conference with Mr Albanese in Canberra on Monday morning, declined to say whether there was a back-up plan if the Commonwealth rejected repurposing the Brisbane Arena cash.

“I reckon we’ve spoken a lot about it,” he said.

“We’ve negotiated well together … we’ve worked together well.

“Of course there’s been some strong negotiations, two people of Italian descent you’d expect that

“There’s nothing that can’t be solved over a bit of common sense and a cannoli.”

The federal government appears to be softening its previously strong opposition to repurposing the $2.5bn, with Infrastructure Minister Catherine King calling for work to begin.

“We think it’s time we get on with delivering a lasting legacy for Queensland and we will work with the Queensland Government once we have considered the final report, the Queensland Government’s response to the report, and if necessary, received business cases and done due diligence on all of the cost estimates if there are newly proposed venues,” she said.

However, the Commonwealth is unlikely to provide a dollar more than the $3.4bn “capped commitment” it will make to the Games.

“(It) is the single largest contribution any Australian Government has made towards sporting infrastructure in this country,” she said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is thought to be supportive of the state’s venue plan, but has declined to comment on it.

The premier is expected to break his pre-election pledge not to build a new stadium, but indicated Queenslanders would forgive him for it.

“I have this view that if you provide the information and the reasons behind your decision, whatever those decisions are, I think overwhelmingly people will respect where we’re going,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli declared the “three years of chaos and crisis” since Queensland was awarded the Games would end.

“It’s a plan to make sure we do host a great Games when the eyes of the world are on us,” he said.

Almost half of the Olympic venues proposed by Brisbane when it bid for the Games in 2021 – including the flagship new arena and upgraded Gabba – won’t feature in the final infrastructure blueprint handed down on Tuesday.

Olympic Games insiders are expecting to tweak minor venues, but are pushing for construction to start on major venues.

Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris told the International Olympic Committee last week a decision was needed to start construction on projects with longer lead times.

Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie indicated planning and construction of new venues would start quickly after Tuesday’s announcement.

“If I have my way I’ll bring the shovel myself and we’ll get constructing the next day, it’s a matter of getting on with the job,” he said.

“I think everyone is just of the opinion now let’s just get this done and get on with it.” 

Paralympics Australia said it was critical all Games venues and supporting transport infrastructure were universally designed and accessible for all.

“Our submission also reinforced the importance of embedding people with lived experience of disability in decision-making processes,” a spokesman said.

“Regardless of the review’s recommendations, we look forward to working with our Games Delivery partners to help deliver outcomes that will shape a truly inclusive and world-class Games experience in 2032 and beyond.”