Brisbane 2032: Incredible vision proposed to give Victoria Park a pivotal Games role and legacy

Incredible new images have been released, showcasing how Victoria Park would be extended over the Inner City Bypass and used to host Olympics events. SEE THE PICTURES.

Victoria Park could be transformed into a world-class sporting, events and knowledge precinct for a similar price as the current plan to demolish and rebuild the Gabba and build Brisbane Arena over the Roma Street railway.

Incredible new images have been revealed, showcasing exactly how the sprawling parklands would be connected above the Inner City Bypass to create a massive 90ha sporting and events venue precinct with a 70,000-seat stadium and Brisbane indoor arena.

EDITOR’S VIEW: VICTORIA PARK IS NOW PART OF OUR OLYMPICS VISION

Peter Edwards, the founder of architect firm Archipelago, said his Brisbane Bold plan would create a long-lasting legacy for the city, which would be used during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

An aerial render of the proposed Victoria Park precinct showing its proximity to the CBD. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

Echoing the comments of former South Bank chair Steve Wilson on Wednesday, Mr Edwards noted the $500m per year expenditure on the Olympic infrastructure was “not that much” compared to the state’s $87bn annual budget – including $15bn in coal royalties alone.

“We have believed for a long time that this scheme does cut costs,” he said.

Former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk is reviewing the city’s Olympic Games venues and is widely expected to declare the Gabba rebuild project dead.

Mr Edwards said a drive to Games cost-cutting would see Brisbane miss out on the one-time chance to become a global city.

The precinct would feature the main athletics stadium, which would later be used for AFL and Test cricket. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

“If we sand it all back and don’t spend any money I think we’re going to be bitterly disappointed that we missed this once-ever opportunity to think big and bold about our city,” he said.

“If we can’t be courageous at this moment – I mean, we have the Olympic Games. If you had pulled me aside as a young boy and said you know one day we’re going to have the Olympic Games in Brisbane I might have struggled to really believe that could have happened.”

Peter Edwards of Archipelago. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Mr Edwards also called for an active transport ‘green line’ throughout the city to link the University of Queensland at St Lucia with the Gabba, South Bank, Victoria Park’s new Olympic precinct and Northshore Hamilton.

The proposal has been submitted to Mr Quirk’s 60-day infrastructure review, due to report to State Development Minister Grace Grace by March 18.

Green space would feature heavily, linking the sites within the precinct. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

Mr Edwards said it had wide community support among stakeholders and argued politicians should show courage and back the vision.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games for 2032 belongs to us,” he said.

“It doesn’t belong to the politicians or special interest groups or even the International Olympic Committee who claim it – yes they have an ownership over what the Games are – but it’s our opportunity to deliver a fantastic Olympic Games.

The Knowledge Economy infrastructure would feature 2000+ dwellings of affordable keyworker housing situated among 60ha of urban parklands. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

“The conversation has been so thoroughly and, frankly, so opaquely in the closed rooms of government.

“The great sleeping giant around this whole conversation is the people of Brisbane and South East Queensland and the state and the underlying reservoir of pride that we will have for this moment.

This secure, contained precinct leverages both Cross River Rail and Metro infrastructure. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

“We want to wake that Sleeping Giant and make sure it has a voice.”

Mr Edwards noted the Victoria Park site was within a 20-minute walk of three railway stations – including Exhibition on the $6.3bn Cross River Rail.

Among the proposed sites would be a 70,000-seat stadium and Brisbane indoor arena. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

“It took a long time for us to be brave enough to build that project but I think the sense of it now as we see what’s happening in the changes that are coming to our city because of that infrastructure, we can’t wait for it to be open,” he said.

The strategy also provides compelling Housing Accelerators freeing up 15,000 dwellings worth of inner 5km affordable and BTR housing opportunities. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

“People are looking at the Olympics like it’s just a big expensive white elephant. You’ve got to look into the eyes of your children and your grandchildren and say what kind of a city are we going to hand to you? I want that to be the city of my dreams, which is why I have invested myself so hard in this process lobbying for people to think big and think strategically about the Olympic moment.”

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The site would be within 20 minutes’ walk of three stations, and 1.5km from the CBD. Pictured Supplied by ARCHIPELAGO

Originally published as Brisbane 2032: Incredible vision proposed to give Victoria Park a pivotal Games role and legacy