New funding agreement, huge milestone as leaked docs blow open Games plan

A new agreement over the use of $2.5bn of federal funds originally allocated to Brisbane Arena has been made, as major milestones are reached and leaked documents reveal details of 2032 proposals.

Jarrod Bleijie confirmed an agreement has been made between the Queensland and federal governments over funding for Brisbane Arena.

• Last piece of the puzzle makes stadium viable

The Queensland and federal governments have reached a new agreement over the use of $2.5bn of federal funding originally allocated to Brisbane Arena.

State Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie announced the intergovernmental agreement at his 2032 Delivery Plan update on Thursday.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, $1.2bn of $3.435bn federal funding will be allocated to the new stadium at Victoria Park, while another $584m will be held in reserve to be allocated to the main stadium or minor venues.

The other funding will be directed to minor venues under a 50-50 split with the state.

The new agreement over the $7.1bn 2032 infrastructure plan was expected to be signed on Thursday.

Mr Bleijie also announced site investigations for the new main stadium, including environmental studies, geotechnical assessments, engagement and cultural heritage assessments would begin from Thursday at Victoria Park, with work expected on site from next week.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King. Photo: Dan Peled

Mr Bleijie denied a site for the stadium had already been chosen after leaked documents revealed a plan for construction in area at the southern end of the park.

He also revealed the procurement and expressions of interest process for four minor venues - the Logan and City of Moreton Bay indoor sport stadiums, the outdoor Sunshine Coast stadium and the Barlow Park upgrade - also opened on Thursday.

The Courier-Mail had earlier reported that leaked documents indicated that a new Olympic Park train station would be built alongside Brisbane’s 63,000-seat Games stadium at the southern end of Victoria Park, over the waterhole at the end of Gilchrist Ave, adjacent to the existing pedestrian bridge.

The commercial-in-confidence dossier, seen by The Courier-Mail, indicates the warm-up athletics track was slated for the eastern end of Victoria Park, next to the busway station.

An early artist’s impression of the Olympic stadium at Brisbane’s Victoria Park.

A second pedestrian bridge would be built above the Inner City Bypass to link the stadium with the new $650m National Aquatic Centre at the existing Centenary Pool, according to the documents.

The revelations are contained in a confidential June proposal by Queensland Rail – understood to be undertaken at the request of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Queensland Rail proposes a new three-platform train station be built at the current site of the rollingstock wash facility next to the Inner City Bypass.

“The station could serve as a key component of the precinct’s integrated transport solution, enhancing accessibility, supporting future population growth and ensuring long-term economic and social value,” it said.

The distance between Victoria Park and the recently renovated Exhibition Station had prompted speculation the government would build another station.

Where the various features will be located, as indicated by the documents. Jarrod Bleijie denied a site for the stadium had already been chosen.

The government did not comment on whether it would progress the proposal, and the cost has not been revealed.

Victoria Park was selected by the 100-day review panel as the location of Brisbane’s Olympic Stadium in part for its connection to Brisbane Metro and Exhibition station – and proximity

to Fortitude Valley station and Roma Street railway stations.

However the panel warned upgrades were required to Exhibition Station to “cater for additional patronage through the station during event times”.

That finding was made before the government revealed a 25,000-seat National Aquatics Centre would also be built in the area.

An upgrade of the RNA Arena will deliver three stadiums with 108,000 seats within 1.5km.

The southern end of Victoria Park is the flattest and was widely thought to be the location of the new stadium.

The Courier-Mail can reveal broadcast facilities and a holding compound used for the logistically challenging opening and closing ceremonies are also planned to be built in the 500m between the stadium and warm-up track.

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg last month conceded additional investment would be required in the precinct to support the stadium, aquatics centre and athletes village.

“What we need to do is we need to one, design the stadium, stadium infrastructure and then work out what transport links are required, at a finer detail how to move people in and out of those facilities as quickly as possible,” he said.

Exhibition Station will operate year-round services when Cross River Rail opens in 2029.

Originally published as New funding agreement, huge milestone as leaked docs blow open Games plan