QSAC stadium plan derided as a ‘dud’ as LNP focuses on legacy options

Days out from releasing its response to the 100-day Olympic venue review, the state government has slammed previous plans for temporary Games venues, placing “legacy” options at the forefront.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said on Sunday the previous Labor plan to use the Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre as the main stadium came in over budget and “was a dud”.

“It was, in fact, $2.25 billion – $650 million more than what he [Labor leader Steven Miles] said his personal plan for QSAC was going to cost Queensland taxpayers,” Bleijie said.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said “temporary” venues like QSAC were a waste of money, and promised to pursue legacy projects extending to the regions.Credit: Matt Dennien

“I might add, Steven Miles’ plan was temporary – $2.25 billion on temporary venues – it would have been an embarrassment.”

Bleijie promised that projects recommended by the LNP government would remain within the state and Commonwealth agreed venue fund of $7.1 billion.

He said this included considering “public or private partnerships”.

“There might be opportunities with the private sector for athletes’ villages across the state,” Bleijie said. “We want to make sure that if there are opportunities to partner with the private sector, we will do that.”

Bleijie said the cost of the villages – which fall within the venue fund – had grown to more than $3.5 billion under the former government.

Private partnership for main event infrastructure had been raised previously, with the Infrastructure Association of Queensland highlighting the option in its 100-day review submission.

But with seven years remaining, the IAQ also noted a private-public partnership on major venues and athletes’ village infrastructure would take time to set up.

An artist’s impression of an athletes’ village at Hamilton.Credit: Queensland Government

Bleijie maintained the state intended to leverage the Games for long-standing “legacy projects” extending into the regions.

“We want to make sure regional Queensland are heard,” he said.

“What we wanted to achieve was, on Tuesday, having the delivery plan for the future, including generational infrastructure – road and rail projects.”

The Sunshine and Gold coasts have been earmarked for permanent athletes’ village infrastructure, expected to become about 850 permanent residences after 2032.

Bleijie launched a review of the Gold Coast light rail’s stage four expansion last week – touted alongside the Sunshine Coast heavy rail as a legacy transport project – with the Gold Coast Council fearing critics may bury the project.

In January, the federal government knocked back funding requests for the Sunshine Coast line, despite Bleijie’s claims it could extend past Maroochydore before 2032.

Sports and Olympics Minister Tim Mander would not reveal on Sunday details about venues considered by the review, but Bleijie maintained QSAC was “not going to be in the recommendations”.

Mander said: “It was always a dumb idea, [and] it is still a dumb idea … not knowing the true cost of putting up something that is only going to be temporary.”

With new-build options including a main stadium in Victoria Park and a covered indoor Brisbane Live Arena fitted with a temporary pool, the review and government response will be viewed by cabinet on Monday and released publicly on Tuesday.

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