2032 Brisbane Olympic Games Stadium options: Queenslanders reveal their views
Many Queenslanders have resoundingly rejected Premier Steven Miles’ no frills option for an Olympic Games stadium, instead backing the more ambitious proposals which could also lure major artists like Taylor Swift to Queensland. SPECIAL REPORT
Many Queenslanders have resoundingly rejected Premier Steven Miles’ no-frills option for an Olympic Games stadium and instead backed the more ambitious proposals which could also lure major artists like Taylor Swift to Queensland.
The Courier Mail, together with its regional sister publications, presented the four stadium options to readers across its social media sites asking readers to vote.
Almost half (46 per cent) of more than 1700 who voted, wanted the $3.4 billion, 70,000-seat Victoria Park plan, followed by the $6 billion private Northshore bid which includes a 60,000-seat stadium (36.5 per cent) with the Gabba development coming in third (17 per cent).
Previously, 70 per cent of about 25,000 readers selected Victoria Park in a poll on the Courier Mail website.
Premier Steven Miles’ preferred $1.6 billion renovation of the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, providing 40,000 seats, barely got a vote or favourable comment.
But across regional Queensland there are still many questioning the benefits of the Olympic Games for the whole of the state.
Many readers said the money would be better spent on fixing the Bruce Highway or boosting health, ambulance, police and housing.
But others, including in Queensland’s most marginal Labor seat of Bundaberg, thought Queensland was being left behind by its lack of venues.
Mario Licastro put the case for Victoria Park, saying a huge stadium could be used for large events, grand finals, and World Cup contests after the Olympics.
Danielle Handy Hayden said Brisbane needed a massive stadium at Victoria Park that could host international music and sporting events next to a dedicated transport hub.
“That is what we deserve. We have great weather but Melbourne and Sydney get all the biggest and best events and we get shafted again and again.”
Allan Golinski said a stadium at Northshore would ‘look amazing at night over the river’.
On the Sunshine Coast, Andrew Watto was taking a more frugal approach. “QSAC just needs a coat of paint. She will be right!”
But Colleen Dee in Bundaberg said it was time Queensland had a precinct like Olympic Park in Sydney.
“We are losing so much revenue with big names not coming to Qld because the venues don’t hold enough people.
“NSW made $140 million from Taylor Swift’s visit, Victoria $175 million.
“A 60,000 stadium is nothing – we just about have that at Suncorp!”
Joan Adcock, of Gympie, said she wanted the politics taken out of the Olympic Games stadium decision, saying it should be left to experts.
LNP leader David Crisafulli has refused to say what option he supports.
This week, the Opposition leader again ruled out QSAC and building a new main stadium.
He stood behind a 100-day infrastructure review to determine Games venues.
But on the Gold Coast, Tim Mander, the Opposition spokesman for Sport and Olympics and Paralympics refused to rule out building a new stadium.
Michael Colahan, of Townsville, said he believed the Games would be good for Brisbane but ‘not so much for the rest of Queensland’. He favoured an upgrade of the Gabba.
David Scott on the Gold Coast said he believed the refurbishment of the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre was the best way to go given its lower cost.
But Paul Letheby said he feared the 2032 Games in Queensland would be known as the ‘world’s penny pitching’ Olympics.
In Mackay, where support for the Gabba, Victoria Park and Northshore was more evenly split, the Eastern Swans Australian football Club said it had been chasing grants for 10 years.
“The club rooms are condemned now, over 500 members, an extra 100 runners, in the off season, and not one politician has backed us for a grant starter. Disgrace.”
Anita Berardi urged the Premier to put the money into hospitals and housing. “Sporting facilities are not a priority. Get rid of the Olympics.’’
In Cairns, Rozzi Fuller had a simple response: “Fix our roads Dog” while Townsville’s Brendan Copley said “do something about the crime in North Queensland ya bunch of muppets”.
WHAT ELSE READERS HAVE SAID
Louise Ruth
We need to focus on Queensland’s needs. Not wants. Despite whatever promises the Premier has said for our health system it needs major money and way more investment to get up to date, nevermind be prepared for the future.
If there’s 3 Billion for an unnecessary sports ground, add that 3 Billion into even more extremely necessary, desperately outdated, and vitally important health care.
Kris O Fredo
It’s gotta be a big new stadium. Gabba at end of life in 2030s. So they will be building a new one then anyway.
Cass Duffie
People are starving and living on the streets but let’s put sport at the top of the priority list
Raymond McDonnell
Upgrade of the Gabba makes the most sense with easily accessible transport, when the train station opens
Andrew Barnes
One of the biggest reasons Labor might loss the election is the Olympics that nobody wanted. Cancel the Olympics
Spend the money on hospitals roads public schools and opening up all this disused farm land for housing
Michael Smith
Brisbane wanted the games which means spending money. A new stadium at Victoria Park is the reality.
Courtney Murrin
Honestly I don’t care. Would prefer if things went to more important things like mental health, domestic violence and the housing crisis.
Lynne Bryson
What about using the venues that were put in place for the commonwealth games
Ken Hastings
Northshore makes sense provided it’s not a Wagner like deal requiring govt to lease long term
Agim Spahija
You’re the expert you pick plus a new highway from Cairns to Brisbane so we can all drive to the Olympics and know that we will be safe.
Mel Davies
The Northshore one would make sense if it cost less for taxpayers but also its a nicer location. If they upgrade QSAC would it not take away from the athletics comps being able to perform their comps for a period of time while closed?
Elsbeth Schubert
QSAC will need an additional $1 billion for public transport links
Robyn Vickery
The one that was private funded just needed the land from the government that they declined!!!
Ross Shanks
None of those projects use the money to fix the Bruce Highway because it is atrocious I came back from Mackay today and there is not enough over taking lanes around and the large amount of pot holes
Butsy RJ
Just dump the Miles Labor Govt and give the task to LNP to fix up
Leo Alexander Scott
Victoria Park or another new purpose-built location with ample space for future growth, designed as a cutting-edge, iconic Queensland landmark, leaving a lasting generational legacy for Queenslanders.
Jordan RL
Why build a stadium at Northshore? Where is the already existing public transport. The stadium may be privately funded but billions would need to be spent to create sufficient public transport.
Michael Key
Just way too small, at least 100 thousand seats are needed. Anything else is a waste of time.
Greg McMahon
How about a safer Bruce Highway towards Childers and further North to Cairns and better Isis Highway to Bundaberg? What a joke!
Keith Glenn
Dolphins need a proper home stadium why not double up and do an Olympic stadium in Redcliffe. The on goings with all the extra events being held there now would make logical sense its always sold out even now with all the extra seating that was added.
Nicole Blacklime
Get it privately funded and get the best of both worlds new stadium no debt.
Debbie McGlinn
If we have to have any than Victoria Park, you can’t trust the figures we are getting told regardless, the Olympics are a disgusting waste of money, when we have so many homeless families
Chuck Chapatman
Why not drop the Games and do what Qld really wants … save billions
John N Naomi
None at all! That money should be used for upgrading our hospitals, emergency services, schools, police service, crime prevention, housing, transport, roads and other vital infrastructure! Not on silly Olympic Games! Our Queensland government is a disgrace!
Jeremy Rigby
I love the NorthShore proposition and so should everyone else … No taxpayer money for the build, profit share, and a world class design.
Kerrie Kay
It’s not hard to find articles that confirm any city which hosts an Olympics is plunged into debt, billions of dollars debt, for years, if not decades. Cities far, far bigger and more affluent than little old Brisbane. Spend money where it’s needed. We never should have bid for it.
Peter Arnouts
Victoria Park is a no-brainer and will serve Brisbane for 40 years
Mike O’Brien
Northshore, Let private funding have a go … Save the state billions!
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Originally published as 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games Stadium options: Queenslanders reveal their views
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