‘Spot on’: Beattie backs axing of Gabba for Games

Former premier Peter Beattie has joined a chorus of calls for the $2.7bn rebuild of the Gabba to be dumped and for an upgraded Suncorp Stadium to host the Brisbane 2032 opening and closing ceremonies instead.

The Gabba in a concept for the 2032 Games

• Editor’s view: Premier in a pickle

Former premier Peter Beattie has joined a chorus of calls for the $2.7bn rebuild of the Gabba to be dumped and for an upgraded Suncorp Stadium to host the Brisbane 2032 opening and closing ceremonies instead.

Olympic supremo John Coates’ public take-down set off a chain reaction of calls for the $2.7bn rebuild to be permanently dumped, with Mr Beattie saying it was the wrong decision and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner declaring the plans “dead, buried and cremated”.

Brisbane 2032 Games president Andrew Liveris lamented “the loss of time” after Mr Coates’ comments all but ended any chance of new Gabba stadium – slated to host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics – more than 900 days after the city won the event.

Premier Steven Miles said he valued the input of Mr Coates, but wanted Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to complete the 60-day review of Games venue infrastructure.

“I’ll wait for his findings,” he said.

But with that not due until March 18, Mr Liveris said it was crucial decisions were not “re-litigated” again, and afterwards it was time to get on with the job of planning.

“I lament the loss of time, and the distraction that has taken a little away from the amazing accomplishment of winning these Games,” he said.

“We need to move forward post haste after this independent review is completed.”

ARLC commissioner and former premier Mr Beattie said he applauded Mr Miles for having the “guts” to revisit the Gabba, and pushed for the opening and closing ceremonies to instead be held at Suncorp Stadium.

“John Coates is spot on,” he said.

“The Gabba was the wrong decision but instead of putting his head in the sand, Miles is sensibly revisiting the decision and saving money.

“My government built Suncorp, and public transport was made front and centre of its success when it was opened in 2003 for the Rugby World Cup.

“It is one of the best public transport served stadiums in the world.

“The stadium may require a small upgrade since it is now just over 20 years old, but nothing like the Gabba.”

Australian Olympic Committee president Ian Chesterman also said there were other more creative solutions than rebuilding the Gabba.

“We will put these ideas to the review committee,” he said.

Former premier Peter Beattie

But State Development Minister Grace Grace refused to say whether the Gabba rebuild was officially dead – although did say calls to move the opening and closing ceremonies to Suncorp Stadium, and shift the athletics to Nathan’s QSAC, were “all worthy proposals”.

Revealing she had spoken to Mr Coates, Ms Grace said he was a man who “calls a spade a spade, and he’s very good at that”.

“I’m not going to gag John Coates – he is a very important stakeholder and if he wishes to say something … I’m not going to say ‘don’t go out there and say what you need to say,” she said.

“He’s very knowledgeable, and I think they are all options that we can have a look at.

“At the end of the day, (these comments) are all part of the mix – I don’t think it’s going to be helpful me agreeing or disagreeing.”

But the Minister would not answer whether Mr Coates choosing to go public and declare the Gabba ``just does not stack up” meant the rebuild of the stadium was completely off the table.

“I know you’re trying to ask me a question to say (the Gabba rebuild) is dead – is it, isn’t it?” she said.

“This (60-day review) is a clean slate, and I welcome all stakeholders’ feedback into it.

“If that’s the case (the Gabba rebuild being dumped), then that is the case, but honestly as Minister I don’t think it’s fair on the reviewers for me to express an opinion now, when they are working diligently through all of the stakeholder submissions that they’re receiving.”

Asked whether Mr Coates’s comments had superseded the report, Ms Grace said: “No, I don’t think he has.

“He’s put his view into the report, and the team will look at that and they’ll make their recommendations.”

Mr Schrinner said Mr Coates was “stating the obvious” in saying the plans should not go ahead, and that the Gabba rebuild was never the right option.

“In the end all of this has happened because we stood up and we said this needs another look,” the Lord Mayor said.

“I’m glad the state government has come on board, I’m glad John Coates is backing us up as well.

“There’s got to be a better option than wasting $2.7bn on one stadium.”