Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Stadium to begin as federal funding deal struck
The first work on Brisbane’s centrepiece Victoria Park stadium will begin next week as the state and federal governments strike a new $7.1bn venues funding agreement.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The first work on Brisbane’s centrepiece Victoria Park stadium will begin next week as the state and federal governments strike a new $7.1bn venues funding agreement.
Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie announced on Thursday a new intergovernmental agreement had been finalised – but not yet signed – at a Queensland Media Club lunch event.
The event marked 100 days since details of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority 100-day review were revealed.
“We are good to go for the Games in 2032,” Mr Bleijie said.
“What today’s deal means is certainty for games infrastructure going forward.
“It means certainty for our infrastructure delivery program, for industry, for host communities and for workers.”
THE GAMES’ FIRST BLOWOUT HAS BEEN REVEALED AS BLEIJIE PLAYS THE GREATEST SHOWMAN – READ TODAY’S EDITORIAL
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King was revealed as a surprise guest at the event.
She said: “For Brisbane 2032, we’re investing … the single largest contribution of any Australian government has made towards sporting infrastructure in this country’s history. For us, it is about ensuring that when we hand the keys back after the closing ceremony, Queensland has the infrastructure it needs to build on this incredible legacy for decades to come.”
The original agreement had quarantined $2.5bn of federal funding to build the new Brisbane Arena – but the state government now plans to ask the private sector to build it, something Mr Bleijie said he was confident would happen before the Games in seven years time.
“I expect you’ll start seeing it being built from the end of next year and into 2027,” he said.
The new agreement sees $1.2bn of the total $3.435bn federal contribution allocated to help fund the $3.8bn Victoria Park stadium. Another $716m will be used for “additional projects and cost pressures in the minor venues program” and the remaining $584m of the $2.5bn will be “held in reserve”.
Ms King said Queensland would not be given a “blank cheque” and “robust project validation” would be need before she committed the cash.
“For Brisbane stadium, as part of our funding conditions, the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council will develop a new precinct plan for the area with a focus on access to green space, a stakeholder engagement plan as well as a transport connectivity plan,” Minister King said.
Mr Bleijie said the state would not now be asking the federal government for more funding for venues, but conceded more money might be needed for major Games-related transport projects.
He announced that from next week, site investigations at Victoria Park would begin – including environmental studies, geotechnical assessments, engagement, and cultural heritage assessments.
Mr Bleijie said: “We’re not mucking around.”
But he also denied an exact location for the stadium had been chosen and would not confirm whether a new train station would be built near it – despite both being shown on government documents that were leaked on Wednesday to The Courier-Mail (above).
Mr Bleijie explained the documents away by saying they were just the result of some early “brainstorming”.
The Courier-Mail can confirm the documents were a confidential June proposal by Queensland Rail – understood to be undertaken at the request of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Mr Bleijie also revealed an announcement would be made “very shortly” about a chief executive for his infrastructure delivery authority.
And despite authority chair Stephen Conry pushing for the stadium to be named simply the “Brisbane Stadium”, Mr Bleijie said the state government would be open to selling the naming rights, such as is common practice in the US, where he recently toured Sofi and AT&T stadiums.
He also joked that as a proud monarchist, he liked the name “King Stadium” – before adding: “Let’s start building it, and then we’ll work out the name.”
Also on Thursday, the procurement and expressions of interest process for four minor venues – the Logan and Moreton Bay indoor sport stadiums, the outdoor Sunshine Coast stadium and the Barlow Park upgrade – were opened.
Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris welcomed the “tangible progress”.
“Today marks a significant shift in forward momentum,” Mr Liveris said.
“I commend the Queensland Deputy Premier and Australian Infrastructure Minister in particular for their allied and unwavering support on behalf of their governments to ensure that collectively we deliver an incredible Games to be proud of and, importantly, a global event that generates local economic and social benefits for generations to come.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Stadium to begin as federal funding deal struck
‘Never take it for granted’: PM’s message to Qld’s new Federal MPs
The newest Labor MP’s, including the infamous Ali France who unseated Peter Dutton, have been warned by Anthony Albanese not to get complacent and ‘sloppy’ with their huge majority.
Brisbane’s speed shame: Drivers caught 200km/h in 60 zones
Drivers have been caught at speeds of more than 200km/h in 60 zones across Brisbane, with nearly one in six drivers ignoring slow down signs across the city.