How Brisbane would be transformed for the 2032 Olympics

A new 50,000 seat stadium, a 14,000 bed athletes village and huge changes to roads and public transport infrastructure – here’s how Brisbane would change for the 2032 Olympic Games.

BRISBANE would be transformed from a regional city to a world famous international destination almost overnight if it can secure the 2032 Olympic Games.

The detailed report into the 2032 bid released early Thursday for the first time reveals details of what the southeast Queensland region could become with a Games.

The blueprint includes a 14,000 bed athletes village at Hamilton North Shore, described as Queensland’s largest riverfront urban renewal, as well as hinting at more public housing.

The massive 40ha to 50ha site would include a mixture of housing and commercial properties after the Games, as well as housing pop-up sites during the sporting event.

A 50,000 seat stadium is on the drawing board for Albion, but alternatives include using the iconic Gabba for opening and closing ceremonies and moving the athletics down the Gold Coast to Carrara.

Lang Park would host the football, but the event will extend beyond Brisbane and the coasts to include preliminary matches in Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville, Ipswich and even Sydney and Melbourne according to the IOC report.

An artist’s impression of Brisbane Live at Roma St.

The long-debated Brisbane Live is listed as being ready for a construction agreement by the middle of this year, and hosting the swimming in a temporary pool.

There would also be special Games-only vehicle lanes, Games-family lanes shared with buses and separate lanes left to the public.

All workers and spectators would have to get to venues by public transport, the report says.

The IOC also cautioned against building too many new venues, including looking at alternatives for the new Albion stadium and using existing venues in Sydney for the whitewater rafting and rowing would mean not having to build new centres in Larapinta or Redlands.

Basketball could be played at the proposed Brisbane Live site. Picture: Supplied

Moving the basketball prelims mooted for the Sunshine Coast would also cut another new venue.

It suggested considering Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast for the athletics and the Gabba for ceremonies, moving the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Optus Aquatic Centre for the swimming and moving the basketball to Brisbane Live.

Carrara Stadium could also play host to the athletics. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

On the Gold Coast, Broadwater Parklands could get the triathlon, the GCCEC the volleyball prelims and weightlifting, Broadbeach the beach volleyball and Federation Park a festival and live site, with Kurrawa Beach a sport zone and live broadcast area.

About 2000 athletes would have their own village using existing hotels, the plan says.

On the Sunshine Coast, Alexandra Headland could host the cycling, some athletics and kiteboarding, the proposed convention and exhibition centre the basketball prelims and the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Park could host its sport.

There would also be a day village for athletes in Maroochydore.

Further north, the Whitsundays would get keel boat sailing, with Cairns and Townsville football preliminaries.