State Government clears final hurdle in plan for Brisbane Live precinct

Two rival bidders will vie for the right to build a new 17,000 seat entertainment arena in the heart of Brisbane after the State Government cleared the final hurdle for the project.

BRISBANE will get a world-class 17,000-seat entertainment arena in the heart of the city.

After years of debate, the State Government has cleared the way for the project as part of its pitch for the 2032 Olympic Games.

Two rival bidders will vie for the right to build the arena, expected to be completed by 2024.

Concerns about initial costs have been allayed with the project frontrunner, Harvey Lister’s ASM Global, assuring the Government it can deliver the entertainment centre – known as Brisbane Live – for significantly less than the original cost estimate of $2 billion.

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An artist’s conception of the proposed Brisbane Live arena. Picture: Supplied

The Roma Street railyards remains the preferred site, although other locations will come into the mix if the cost estimates blow out.

It’s understood ASM Global and promoter Live Nation will go head-to-head for the right to construct and manage the centre.

It is expected the Government will complete the market sounding process by mid-next year and formal expressions of interest would then be called before a final decision was made by this time next year.

An artist’s conception of the proposed Brisbane Live arena. Picture: Supplied

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will today announce a precincts delivery strategy to transform inner-city Brisbane through the Cross River Rail project.

“We know that by unlocking under-utilised land in the heart of the city like Roma Street, we can leverage significant private-sector investment and create jobs,’’ she said.

“Brisbane Live has the potential to deliver 450 jobs per year during construction, with 1000 jobs in the peak year and 600 jobs ongoing once it is operational.

“Everyone wants to see a new, world-class arena in the heart of Brisbane and through this strategy, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will now launch market sounding to attract the best concepts from the private sector.

“Roma Street was one of seven sites that was investigated as a potential location through the detailed business case development.’’

An artist’s conception of the proposed Brisbane Live arena. Picture: Supplied

Cross River Rail and Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the strategy would provide five new high-capacity stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street and the Exhibition precinct.

She said the strategy would see up to 22 hectares of prime real estate in the heart of Brisbane revitalised.

Cross River Rail would generate up to $20 billion worth of new economic development and 35,000 extra jobs.

“Brisbane Live, a new world-class arena, is a great example of the new assets Brisbane could begin through this precinct strategy,’’ she said.

“Globally, we know these types of venues next to a new underground high-capacity train station with connections to other transport nodes reinvigorate the entire area.’’

The five precincts are:

• The Exhibition, which will accelerate the area’s urban renewal, creating health, housing and recreation.

• Roma Street station, which will become the western gateway to the city’s premier cultural and entertainment offering.

• Albert Street station, to be the stimulus for a city heart transformation.

• Woolloongabba station, to become a vibrant centre for community, sport and health.

• Boggo Road station, to develop further into a world-class innovation precinct specialising in research, health, science and education jobs.

Mr Lister has been negotiating with the Government since 2015 to replace the Boondall entertainment precinct – which is 30 minutes outside the CBD – with an inner city site.

“I’m confident the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will find enormous interest from development companies and banks in providing funding towards this project that the city needs, whether or not it hosts the Olympic Games,” he said yesterday. “ASM Global looks forward to working with the Government to make the Brisbane Live arena and entertainment precinct become a reality.”

ASM Global are the world’s largest entertainment centre operators, being responsible for the management of 300 arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centres, from Aberdeen to Anchorage and Sydney to Stockholm. ASM Global employs 61,000 people.