It’s hard to keep up though. Today both the Courier Mail and Brisbane Times saying Victoria Park is the best option. The Olympic boss has now come out in support of Victoria Park. These 100 days can’t go quickly enough, I can’t stand the drama 
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Literally any outcome will be better than the QEII stadium thought bubble.
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Agree. But we can at least guarantee it won’t be that.
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I totally agree. A running track at the Gabba would work well. it would bring back memories of when the East Brisbane State School would hold their athletics day there and the kids would run around the dog track.
Of course there would have to be a name change though.
Gout Gout Arena.
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Bring back the greyhound track! And they can chase the cricket balls.
The Victorian Government has announced that Kane Construction and Nicholson Construction Joint Venture will lead the redevelopment of the Ballarat Major Events Precinct, including seating upgrade at Mars Stadium. Construction works at Mars Stadium are set to begin in early 2025.
https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/ballarat-major-events-precinct-locks-head-contractor
The announcement coincides with the reveal of the council’s extension of an agreement with Western Bulldogs to play home games at the venue for another three seasons (see the AFL thread).
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I was watching some ‘classic’ footy on Kayo yesterday (the 1996 PF Swans v Ess) and Sandy Roberts was talking about how good the atmosphere was at the SCG ‘it holds the atmosphere in’…
Does the SCG still have the best atmosphere of any footy ground in Australia? Or was it just something that was unique to that time…
Cricket Australia launches bid to axe Gabba for ‘50-year’ venue
Cricket Australia has launched a major push to have the Gabba scrapped as a Test venue and replaced by a stadium which could sustain the sport “for 50 years.’’
Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley has confirmed to this masthead the grand dream is to play the final cricket match of the 2032 Olympics at the Gabba then move to a proposed new venue at Victoria Park.
In conjunction with the AFL’s Brisbane Lions, who are also based at the Gabba, cricket has sent this far-reaching proposal to the Queensland Government’s 100-day Olympic venue review.
The Lions, who sell out most of their Gabba games and whose popularity will surge further on the back on this year’s AFL premiership win, support the move to the proposed new stadium which could seat 60,000 compared to the Gabba’s 37,000.
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After today’s lovely cricketing weather in Brisbane- if this new proposed venue has a roof, I’m all for it!
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The chat took place during the rain interruption at the cricket at The Gabba this afternoon.
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Stunning new Gabba design flips Olympic stadium race on its head
The Gabba would be redeveloped into a world class 55,000 seat stadium and nestled beside a sparkling new Brisbane Arena in the latest Olympic proposal for 2032.
Creating an Olympic Park precinct with a rebuilt Gabba alongside Brisbane Arena is the most “logical” and cheapest option, the state’s infrastructure review will be told.
A major concourse would link the Gabba with Brisbane Arena and the Cross River Rail station while a pedestrian spine would snake alongside the Riverside Expressway and deviate left to link with the Goodwill Bridge.
Brisbane Arena would be used as a temporary pool during the Games before becoming the “new Boondall” entertainment venue in the city.
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I like the idea of the new Gabba and the Brisbane Arena in the same location, and right above Cross River Rail. Getting to an event by rail, even from the Gold or Sunshine Coasts would be a breeze.
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I’m confused. Wasn’t this the original plan announced 2 years ago?
The reason why it was knocked back was due to the demolition of local buildings and a school? Hence why the previous government were looking at remodelling the 1982 Commonwealth Hames Stadium.
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I’m not surprised you’re confused, it’s changed so often
No this isn’t quite the original plan which was for the rebuilt Gabba only. The Brisbane Arena was/is still planned for Roma St. This plan was put forward a while back though, and combines the Stadium and Brisbane Arena at the one location at the Gabba.
The Labor govt baulked at local opposition to the cost and impact to the school leading up to the election and instead went for QSAC instead. An incredibly weak decision IMO.
Now they’ve been booted so the Gabba precinct is back on the table in their 100 day review
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No doubt the school community will be up in arms again if the 100 day review reveals the expanded Gabba as the option as the new Olympic stadium.
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True but the LNP won’t be as bothered by local opposition as they’re never going to win the local seat. Labor were influenced by their desire to win the seat back from the Greens, which they narrowly did. The LNP won’t care as much. In my personal opinion the school issue is overblown, it wasn’t like they didn’t have a plan to move the students to a nearby alternative. As population increased they would outgrow it anyway.
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as the Brisbane 2032 100 day review is open for public submissions i submitted the following:
Submission to the 100-Day Olympic Games Review: Proposal for Victoria Park as the Site for the Main Olympic Stadium
I am submitting this proposal as an engaged and passionate Queenslander with a deep interest in the Olympic Games and a desire to see the 2032 Brisbane Olympics present the best possible representation of our city to the global stage. While I do not possess professional expertise in town planning or event management, my fervent support for the Games and my extensive experience as an Olympic fan guide my recommendations for the development of Brisbane’s infrastructure in anticipation of the event.
After careful consideration, I firmly believe that the most appropriate site for the main Olympic stadium is Victoria Park, rather than the currently proposed location at Woolloongabba. While I understand that this suggestion would involve the loss of some greenspace and the relocation of specific Olympic events, such as mountain biking and equestrian, I am confident that the long-term benefits of establishing a new stadium at Victoria Park far outweigh these challenges.
Potential Challenges of Constructing a New Stadium at Victoria Park
- Loss of Greenspace: One of the key disadvantages is the reduction of greenspace at Victoria Park, an important public area.
- Increased Traffic Congestion: The addition of a major stadium may exacerbate traffic flows in the surrounding areas, particularly near the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
- Noise Pollution: The increased frequency of events at the stadium may contribute to noise, which could affect the surrounding residential areas.
- Accessibility Concerns: The location of the stadium may require attendees to walk long distances to reach available public transport, particularly for those relying on alternative forms of transportation.
- Relocation of Events: The relocation of mountain biking and equestrian events to other venues would necessitate the identification and development of alternative sites.
Despite these potential drawbacks, the benefits of constructing a new stadium at Victoria Park present a compelling case.
Benefits of Constructing a New Stadium at Victoria Park
- Accommodation for Major Sporting Events: The establishment of a new stadium at Victoria Park would facilitate the seamless transfer of sporting events such as cricket and AFL from the Gabba, ensuring continuity of these major events in the region post-2032.
- Post-2032 Urban Development: The demolition of the Gabba after the 2032 Games (if used as part of an Olympic 2032 T20 cricket tournament) could provide valuable space for other essential community facilities, such as the expansion of the East Brisbane State School.
- Reduction in Traffic Disruptions: Rebuilding the Gabba would require the closure of major thoroughfares such as Stanley and Vulture Streets, which would likely result in traffic disruptions for an extended period. Victoria Park, by contrast, offers a more advantageous location for avoiding these long-term disruptions.
- Enhanced Stadium Capacity: A new stadium at Victoria Park could accommodate between 60,000 and 70,000 spectators—significantly more than the Woolloongabba site, which is constrained by surrounding infrastructure such as major roads and schools.
- Improved Security Management: With fewer surrounding buildings, the Victoria Park site would be easier to secure for the Games and for the international dignitaries attending, ensuring better overall safety and protection.
- Flexibility for Additional Events: The parkland surrounding Victoria Park would provide ample space for hosting additional events and activities beyond the Olympic Games, including concerts, with fewer restrictions compared to the Woolloongabba site.
- Streamlined Logistics: The extensive parkland around Victoria Park would facilitate efficient event logistics, including security screening, food and merchandise vendors, and broadcasting services, all of which are essential for the smooth operation of large-scale events.
- Proximity to the City: Victoria Park’s central location, within walking distance from the Brisbane CBD, ensures ease of access for both local residents and international visitors, contributing to a positive experience for all attendees.
My personal experience attending large-scale events at Optus Stadium in Perth further supports the benefits of a well-designed stadium complex. In February 2024, I attended the WWE Elimination Chamber event, which hosted over 52,000 spectators, followed by an AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and Hawthorn, which drew nearly 49,500 attendees in June 2024. At both events, I experienced minimal delays in entry, efficient crowd movement, and quick access to public transport, including an onsite train station that facilitated easy travel back to the Perth CBD.
In contrast, attending the Brisbane Lions vs. Carlton match at Woolloongabba on September 7, 2024, with a sellout crowd of 35,660, presented several challenges. Although the transport issues would be solved by upcoming improvements from the Cross River Rail project, the journey to the venue involved significant delays due to heavy traffic, particularly along the Riverside Expressway. Once I arrived at the venue, I had to navigate crowded streets and limited entry points, leading to delays in entering the stadium. The narrow concourses and long queues for food and bathroom facilities also made for a less-than-ideal experience.
Considering the Long-Term Legacy of the Games
In evaluating the proposed locations for the main Olympic stadium, it is essential to consider the long-term legacy that will be left after the IOC departs. Sydney’s 2000 Olympics, widely regarded as one of the best in history, transformed a derelict industrial area at Homebush into a thriving sports and entertainment precinct that remains in use to this day. This enduring legacy is a model for what Brisbane should aspire to achieve, ensuring that the Olympic Games leave behind positive, lasting impacts on the city and its residents.
Given the anticipated growth of Brisbane’s population, it is essential that the main stadium accommodate at least 60,000 spectators to ensure that as many Queenslanders as possible can experience this once-in-a-lifetime event in person. The Woolloongabba site, constrained by surrounding infrastructure, is unlikely to provide sufficient space for a stadium of this size, nor for the necessary supporting infrastructure, including security screening areas, media facilities, and general public spaces.
Concerns Regarding the Brisbane Live Venue and Aquatics Centre Proposal
I have reviewed the proposal by Arcadis for the development of the Brisbane Live Venue and an upgraded Aquatics Centre in Victoria Park, and I strongly oppose this approach. The concentration of multiple venues in one area could place undue pressure on local transport infrastructure, particularly if several events conclude simultaneously, potentially resulting in the movement of up to 90,000 people at once. Furthermore, while I support the idea of a national aquatics centre, I believe that this facility would be better suited to a location such as the Chandler Aquatic Centre, rather than contributing to the further loss of parkland at Victoria Park.
Additionally, I believe that the proposed site for the Brisbane Arena should remain at Roma Street, which is well-served by existing transport infrastructure and represents an underutilized space with great potential. Focusing on the construction of a single stadium at Victoria Park would allow for the preservation of greenspace and would present fewer political and logistical challenges compared to developing multiple venues in the area.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I strongly urge the 100-Day Olympic Games Review team to recommend the construction of a new stadium at Victoria Park. The benefits of this location—including increased capacity, better logistical support, improved security, and long-term urban development opportunities—far outweigh the drawbacks. By prioritizing the creation of a world-class venue that can accommodate the growing needs of Brisbane, the 2032 Olympic Games will leave a lasting legacy for future generations of Queenslanders.
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Nicer work.
Love you Brisbane.
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It seems to be the logical option, I can’t believe it hasn’t already been chosen.
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Great submission! I agree with 90% of that for sure. The only thing I think might make a case for the Brisbane Arena being co-located with the new stadium at Victoria Park might be the economies of scale of building them together in the one place. I would think that the cost of the stadium + arena at Victoria Park would end up being significantly less money than the stadium at Victoria Park and the area at Roma St. I really wouldn’t be surprised if they end up building both at Victoria Park. But I’m happy as long as the stadium goes to Victoria Park as it’s just the best bang for buck and legacy value.