Joy for some, but bold vision for Woolloongabba’s future sparks debate
A new vision for Woolloongabba’s future after the Olympics is under way, sparking celebration for some, and fresh doubts for others.
Premier David Crisafulli this week confirmed the Gabba would be bulldozed after the Olympics to make way for a mixed-use urban renewal site. This would complement the new recommendation for the Brisbane Live Arena to be built across the road, rather than at Roma Street Parkland.
The news was welcomed by the East Brisbane State School community, which has been staring down the possible destruction of their 125-year-old heritage-listed school since the Labor government first floated plans to revamp the Gabba.
East Brisbane State School has welcomed new plans for Woolloongabba’s future.Credit: Tony Moore
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said Tuesday’s announcement put an end to “the uncertainty that’s been affecting this community for nearly five years”.
“Since the 2032 Games were announced, East Brisbane State School has been in the line of fire,” he said.
“So I’m very proud to announce that ... it will stay open right through to the 2032 Games and beyond.”
Another surprising curveball to come out of the 100-day review was a swerve on Roma Street Parkland being the preferred location for the Brisbane Live Arena, with the LNP instead choosing to move the venue to the old GoPrint site across from the Gabba.
The land is currently being used for the Cross River Rail development and is part of a much larger Priority Development Area controlled by the government and once tipped to become Brisbane’s second CBD.
ASM Global chairman Harvey Lister, an early architect of Brisbane Live, said he understood why the government was moving the arena, but argued that its relocation overlooked a core component of the original plan.
“An arena in the middle of a city activates a nighttime economy,” he said.
“I’m not saying [a venue] at Woolloongabba won’t activate at all, but it won’t activate the same, or as much.
“Once you have to move people from one place that’s two railway stops away … sometimes people, when they get on public transport, they stay on it and go home.”
ASM Global, which has the management rights to Suncorp Stadium and Brisbane Entertainment Centre, have been advocating for an inner-city indoor venue for more than eight years, with hopes to operate it upon completion.
A drawcard of the Roma Street Parkland location was always its easy proximity to other late-night precincts, including Fortitude Valley and the CBD.
Roma Street is also at the centre of a government-controlled Priority Development Area.
The Queensland Investment Corporation, which owns the Cross River Rail sites, is expected to start working on new masterplans to attract private investors and developers to those hubs.
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