Brisbane homes spared demolition for Olympics developments

Inner-Brisbane residents will be spared having their homes demolished to make way for the athletics warm-up track for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the state government has confirmed. SEE THE NEW PLANS 

Inner-Brisbane residents will be spared having their homes demolished to make way for the athletics warm-up track for the 2032 Games, the state government has confirmed following vocal protests rejecting the sports field.

Kangaroo Point homeowners will be told on Monday their homes are safe as updated plans for the Raymond Park transformation are released.

Initial plans for the facility where athletes will warm-up ahead of competing at events inside the Gabba during the Olympic and Paralympic Games suggested a number of homes would need to be resumed by the government.

But Deputy Premier Steven Miles has confirmed the government is progressing proposals for a thinner track which will allow the sports facility to fit inside the current dimensions of the park.

Raymond Park – proposed temporary athletic and throwing warm-up facilities for 2032 Games.

The latest plans will also include the construction of a new football club while more trees will also be planted.

“While early planning considered an eight-lane track, a four-lane track with six-lane straight complies with the International Federation requirements and minimises impacts on residents and trees,” Mr Miles said.

“The Kangaroo Point Rovers Football Club will need to temporarily relocate. We will work with the club to identify alternative facilities and minimise impacts during the construction and operation of the temporary warm-up track.

“The existing club building will be replaced with a new improved football clubhouse after the Games, ensuring a long-term legacy for the club and community.”

The updated plan comes after a petition calling on the government to scrap the redevelopment of the Gabba and save Raymond Park attracted more than 3000 signatures.

The petition, championed by Greens MP Amy MacMahon, protested the positioning of the warm-up track to protect the soccer club, sports fields, homes and old trees.

The Gabba, with Raymond Park, top right.

“A standard athletics track cannot fit in the park – the government will have to bulldoze family homes, clear everything in the park, and dig deep foundations for a track, grandstand, parking and other facilities, which will be ripped up after the Games,” it said.

But Mr Miles said the updated option won’t “significantly impact” the larger, older fig trees.

“Impacts will be limited to smaller, still-evolving trees and some palm trees,” the Deputy Premier said.

“Importantly, any trees that will be impacted will be relocated, replanted, or replaced, to ensure no net loss of trees in the park – in fact, we’ll plant more.

“There will be some impact to local residents in using the park for a short time before, during and after Brisbane 2032.

“Over the coming years, the Queensland government and the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee will work closely with residents and businesses.”

However, Greens MP Amy MacMahon has slammed the “pitiful announcement”.

She said the movement in her electorate of South Brisbane was partly to save Raymond Park, with calls remaining to scrap the $2.7 billion Gabba redevelopment and concern for the neighbouring East Brisbane State School.

“The Labor government is trying to shut this community up because Labor knows that what we are fighting for here in South Brisbane is gaining traction and support across the state,” Ms MacMahon said.

“But this community will not be won over by pitiful announcements like this. Even people whose homes might be spared aren’t convinced.

“The community is going to keep fighting, keep campaigning, keep reaching out to everyday people in places like Greenslopes and Moorooka and New Farm until we save our school, save our park, and redirect nearly $3 billion to healthcare and housing, instead of a single sports stadium.”