Brisbane Lions Gabba replacement should be Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield, Ipswich Mayor says

A South East Queensland Mayor has poured cold water on plans to revamp the RNA showgrounds to accommodate the Brisbane Lions while the Gabba is renovated, saying there’s a far cheaper and more obvious solution.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has hit back at a push for the Brisbane Lions to play at the RNA showgrounds during the four-year redevelopment of the Gabba, saying expanding the existing Springfield stadium would cost half as much.

Ms Harding said while she “admired” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner‘s passionate plea to revamp the historic stadium, using the new $80m Brighton Homes Arena in Springfield – already the home ground for the Brisbane Lions AFLW team – “just makes sense”.

“Brighton Homes Arena is a world class AFL stadium which was built with expansion already in mind. The cost to expand Brighton Homes Arena is around half of what it would take to try and make the RNA work,” she said.

“Hosting the Brisbane Lions needs more than just a field, it takes warm up and recovery facilities, state- of-the-art broadcast technology and a high quality, even playing surface. These are already available at Brighton Homes Arena.

An aerial view of the at Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield, Ipswich. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Of course, one of the biggest selling points for Brighton Homes Arena is it’s already the home and headquarters of the Brisbane Lions. It comes with a home ground advantage built in.”

Ms Harding also said it was key the investment from the Games flowed beyond Brisbane, pointing out Ipswich had “just one” of the 37 venues on the Games masterplan – while Brisbane had 18.

“Pardon the pun but Brisbane already has the lion’s share of investment and economic benefits from the 2032 Games,” she said.

“This is a perfect opportunity to start spreading the 2032 Games’ benefits more broadly, and leaving a legacy that can be enjoyed by communities outside of Brisbane.

“The Brisbane Lions have already taken advantage of the opportunity Ipswich’s rapid population growth offers the AFL, in what has always been NRL heartland. Our community has responded with open arms.

“We hope the Queensland Government undertakes its own assessment and sees the opportunity to bring this amazing legacy opportunity to Ipswich.”

The RNA main arena. Photo Steve Pohlner

Earlier this month Mr Schrinner put forward an impassioned plea to have the RNA become the home for local teams including the Brisbane Lions and the Brisbane Heat while the Gabba is redeveloped.

“That’s what tens of thousands of football and cricket fans want to see happen while the Gabba is being redeveloped, so that’s what should be delivered,” he said.

“From the options on the table, clearly the upgrade of the RNA’s historic arena is a no-brainer.”

The Lions have said the club remains in an “ongoing dialogue” with the state government and other stakeholders regarding the Gabba redevelopment and the displacement period”, while Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said “we will update Lions members, fans and the wider community in due course when a decision has been made”.