‘Concrete and steel’: Stark new modelling exposes grim legacy of Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games

Stark new modelling shows what will happen to Brisbane as a result of the Olympic Games, and it has left some furious.

Stark new modelling shows Brisbane is set to lose the majority of its largest inner-city parkland to make way for a mega Olympic stadium the government promised would never be built.

Sustainable development research Neil Peach has conducted analysis of the impact of constructing a 63,000-seat arena at Victoria Park, showing at least 58 per cent of the 64-hectare green space.

The release of the assessment coincides with new visuals showing the significant impact of the stadium and its associated infrastructure.

Major difference to official renders

Perth’s Optus Stadium – a 60,000 seat and 14-storey high venue – has been superimposed on the site as a comparable indicator, advocacy group Save Victoria Park explained.

“These new images show in proper scale how much this mega structure will completely overwhelm the park and local suburbs,” the group’s spokesperson Rosemary O’Hagan said.

“And these pictures don’t even include the 25,000-seat aquatics stadium, Olympic warm up track and other major ancillary facilities now planned for the site.”

The government's official render of the new stadium in Victoria Park.

Save Victoria Park's render of the 'true' size and scale of the stadium.

The visuals show official architectural impressions released by the Queensland Government are misleading, Ms O’Hagan said.

“The glossy official renders we have seen to sell this project to date are nothing more than architectural artifice. They are not concepts, or plans.

“Where are the sprawling plazas, the bridges, the towering retaining walls, and the extensive amenities that will be required to cope with tens of thousands of people at a time?

“Where are the multiple car parks and connections to roads and train stations that have been promised?”

Government figures ‘don’t add up’

Planning for the 2032 Games has been marred by confusion for several years, with original announcements abandoned or revised, as well as projected cost blowouts.

In March, following a 100-day review of Olympic infrastructure needs, the recently elected Liberal-National government unveiled its final plan, with a Victoria Park stadium as its centrepiece.

But in a bid to ease community tension, the review insisted just 12 to 13 per cent of the site’s green space would be consumed by the stadium and its related infrastructure.

Ms O’Hagan said the source of that figure remains “unknown” and is wildly off the mark.

To scale overlay showing Perth’s Optus Stadium against the government's artist’s impression of a stadium in Victoria Park. Excludes warm-up track and a 25,000-seat aquatic stadium also planned for the site. Picture: Save Victoria Park

Full overlay on the Victoria Park site, showing the entire northern side would need to be redeveloped to meet requirements. Picture: Save Victoria Park

Dr Preach’s analysis conservatively estimates the true loss of green space at 58 per cent, with that conclusion reached via site-specific modelling and the input of town planning, sports architecture and engineering experts.

On top of that, a recent report in The Courier-Mail indicated the government is considering selling off additional chunks of land inside Victoria Park to residential developers, Ms O’Hagan said.

“This is a salami slicing tactic – taking a bit at a time and announcing impacts gradually so that the full size and extent is not revealed until it’s too late,” she claimed.

“It’s time the government told us exactly how much public land we are losing with this Victoria Park construction fest, and how much it’s going to cost.”

The government insists its plan is the best way forward for the 2032 Olympics and will deliver a “lasting legacy” beyond the global event.

And with the clock ticking, Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris said “the time for talking has passed”.

“Let’s put the plan into place,” Mr Liveris said.

A ‘precious public asset’

Victoria Park was first designated as a future public parkland in 1875. Until recently, it was home to a sprawling golf club, the closure of which saw the original vision revived.

As well as being heritage-listed, Ms O’Hagan said Victoria Park is a significant Indigenous cultural site.

“Let’s call this project what it is – a major profit-driven redevelopment of one of Brisbane’s most precious public assets,” she said.

“What is truly hard to understand here is that there are and always have been other viable options – flat, less challenging sites not listed on Queensland’s Heritage Register.

“This is an extremely hilly, challenging landscape, in a high traffic area next to Queensland’s largest hospital. You can’t simply plonk mega venues here.”

Opponents rally against the Olympic stadium at Victoria Park. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Victoria Park Olympic stadium protesters join forces to form giant human “NO”. Picture: Liam Kidston

The government’s plan “signal the death” of the future of Victoria Park, she added.

Authorities haven’t confirmed the cost of the new stadium, but the formal review of infrastructure needs estimated it at $3.4 billion.

Green group Aussie Animals said sacrificing more than half of the green space will have dire environmental consequences.

“Urban green spaces don’t just provide aesthetic value – they are essential infrastructure for climate resilience,” a spokesperson said.

“The park’s 64 hectares of green space help cool surrounding neighbourhoods, manage stormwater run-off, and provide a natural buffer against extreme weather events.

“Replacing this natural infrastructure with concrete and steel would effectively remove one of Brisbane’s most important climate adaptation assets at a time when we need it most.”

Broken promises and fast-tracking

In the lead-up to and during the election, now-Premier David Crisafulli repeatedly vowed no new stadiums would be built.

In March, conceding he had broken a key election promise, Mr Crisafulli told reporters: “I have to own that, and I will, and I am sorry. It’s my decision.”

Legislation introduced by the government will see all Olympic venues, including the stadium at Victoria Park, exempt from major planning rules including the Environmental Protection Act, Queensland Heritage Act, and Planning Act, among others.

“With the largest infrastructure investment in Queensland’s history, it’s important there are clear pathways to delivery, with the appropriate oversight of government in the right places,” Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie said.

Premier David Crisafulli concedes he broke a key election promise. Picture: Josh Woning

When the Games have concluded, the new stadium will be the new home of AFL and cricket in Brisbane.

The Gabba, an ageing asset that had originally been flagged for redevelopment by former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, is too expensive to save and will be demolished instead.

“It became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy, or securing the future of AFL and cricket at a new home,” Mr Crisafulli said.

Research by Griffith University conducted in 2023 and 2024 found many Queenslanders are “apathetic about the Games and concerned about their cost”.

“Some were unclear how the event would benefit them. Others were concerned the games would take resources away from areas they felt were more important,” the researchers noted.

“This research highlights an urgent need and opportunity to ensure Olympic plans and outcomes are relevant and positive for the host community at large.”

Save Victoria Park has vowed to launch a legal challenge.

Originally published as ‘Concrete and steel’: Stark new modelling exposes grim legacy of Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games