‘Deliberations’ over Brisbane’s centrepiece Olympic stadium begins after more than 5000 submissions

Brisbane’s new Olympic infrastructure authority is set to start deliberations over where the Games’ main stadium will be after thousands of businesses, residents and lobby groups made submissions to the agency.

Gabba Olympic precinct plan.

Brisbane’s new Olympic infrastructure authority is set to start deliberations over where the Games’ main stadium will be after thousands of businesses, residents and lobby groups made submissions to the agency.

After years of chaotic planning and indecision about the venue for the athletics and opening and closing ceremonies, the “independent” body will hand the Liberal National Party government a new stadium blueprint by March 8. Ordered by Premier David Crisafulli after the October state election, the 100-day review of the Brisbane 2032 masterplan ­received more than 5000 submissions from infrastructure and planning experts, sporting and community organisations and residents.

Authority chair Stephen Conry, a veteran of the property industry and an LNP donor, said conjecture over a new centrepiece stadium dominated submissions, along with requests for better transport links.

“In those thousands of submissions, there was a resounding message: Queenslanders are ­excited and many are keen to ­express a view on ensuring we ­deliver the great projects and ­facilities for the 2032 Games with generational benefits to the state for decades to come,” Mr Conry said.

“Naturally we understand there is significant public interest in this 100-day review. We are methodically assessing and analysing all the information from the submissions which will assist our deliberations and recommendations to the state ­government. Those recommendations will be based on capitalising on an exciting vision and opportunity for Queensland and delivering the right infrastructure in the right places to ensure a successful Games, and to meet the long-term needs of our growing population.”

Mr Conry said the authority was also locked in “ongoing extensive confidential consultation with targeted stakeholders and experts”. The seven-person co-ordination authority was appointed by the LNP government in November and is tasked with managing the multibillion-dollar infrastructure program for the 2032 Games.

Labor sources told The Australian that a different board had been effectively finalised before the October 26 Queensland election, having been selected via a “merit-based” appointment process run by an independent recruitment agency.

The board’s announcement was put on hold after Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner wrote to then-premier Steven Miles in September to ask him to hold off on appointments to the independent agency until the voters had their say.

Only one person on the original list, Jill Davies, made it to the final LNP-appointed board.

The Australian understands prominent Brisbane businessman Steve Wilson, a vocal proponent of a Victoria Park stadium build, had been earmarked for the chair position but was overlooked by the new government.