What you said about Brisbane’s National Aquatic Centre costing $1.2bn, double the forecast

Building Brisbane’s National Aquatic Centre will cost $1.2bn – sparking rage and debate. WHAT YOU SAID

2 min read

July 25, 2025 - 10:54AM

A render of the National Aquatic Centre and Precinct in Brisbane for the 2032 Olympic Games. Picture: QLD Government

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Building Brisbane’s National Aquatic Centre will cost $1.2bn – almost double the price proposed for the 2032 Games, sparking widespread anger.

The figure, revealed by Games independent Infrastructure Authority chair Stephen Conry, compares to $650m claimed in March when the venue was endorsed by the state government to host Olympic and Paralympic swimming.

It will make the National Aquatic Centre the second most expensive Olympic venue after the $3.8bn main stadium at Victoria Park – less than 1km away.

It is understood the aquatic centre will be funded in partnership with the federal government.

“The more realistic cost of the NAC which is being put in the plan … is more than $1bn,” Mr Conry said.

He noted the scope of the proposal had not differed significantly from the one put forward by Swimming Australia in February at a cost of $650m.

“We just had to be more realistic,” Mr Conry said.

The infrastructure boss argued the aquatic centre, flagged to become the headquarters of Australia’s aquatic sports, would service the state for “generations to come”.

In March Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, speaking about the infrastructure for tennis and the aquatics centres said “we know the cost”.

A render of the National Aquatic Centre and Precinct in Brisbane for the 2032 Olympic Games. Picture: QLD Government

News of the cost blowout sparked a war of words among readers.

Many claimed it was another mess ahead of the 2032 Games, while some blamed Premier David Crisafulli for allowing another debacle.

While others again insisted it’s not too late to axe the Olympics completely.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Another mess

zorb

More of these ‘surprises’ coming our way with OUR money being used for this folly! These Games will be a monumental disaster. Thanks Palaszczuk.

Entropy

Too late. We should never have bid in the first place, but the bail out option died about two or three years ago. Backing out now would have serious long term consequences for future investment and development in this state. It would be like putting up a “permanently closed” sign.

Robert

The only legacy for future generations will be huge debt.

Byron

For that amount of money, just upgrade the Commonwealth Games Swimming Centre @ Southport!!

Barryji Anthony

The actual costs of the Egolympics is not even anywhere near the original cost and the alleged amount of business that will generated is a guesstimate at best. The Egolympics are politically driven and have very little benefit to average Queenslanders who wont even go to the egolympics because they wont be able to afford the tickets!

A render of the National Aquatic Centre and Precinct in Brisbane for the 2032 Olympic Games. Picture: QLD Government

Premier’s fault

Rosemary

You can thanks Crisafulli for this Aquatic Centre. It’s all on him.

Christopher

New stadium is needed, yes. Payback on Vic Park will be swift with concerts, AFL, cricket and other large scale events regularly selling it out. I’m not so convinced about the need for a new aquatic centre which might only host a sellout crowd a couple of times a year, if they’re lucky...

sunnyoz

Will be the first of many blowouts.

Valerie

The swimmers getting the biggest slice of the pie as per usual. What an unbelievable waste of money.

Hugh

Um we have chandler already plus gold coast aquatic centre is good as well, post Olympics how often u reckon a big event/crowd will be on at a 1.2bil centre, money better spent elsewhere for sure