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The stadium, projected to cost $3.8 billion and with 63,000 seats, will stage the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games and be the city’s largest stadium.
Federal Funds Redirected, Consultation Promised
Catherine King, the infrastructure minister, committed the funds to Olympic infrastructure federally if the Queensland government funds the one-off costs of security and ticketing. Those funds will now flow to the Brisbane Live Arena which is no longer going to get public funding. The Victoria Park site will be the new permanent home to AFL and cricket once the games have concluded.
King said the precinct plan would focus on providing green space and include consultations with local communities, in particular First Nations. The site, which has cultural and historical significance, has been a long-simmering sore point. Parliament approved a bill last month that would allow the state to overrule cultural heritage laws if it fails to reach an agreement with Indigenous groups.
New Olympic Projects Under Way
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli had previously promised at the election not to build a stadium at Victoria Park but later reversed course and issued an apology. Bleijie said no other site was workable, and there were also onsite preparations underway already for the Victoria Park project.
The swimming events slated for Brisbane Live Arena will now be held at a new National Aquatic Centre located near Centenary Pool in Spring Hill, near the stadium. Bleijie also announced the Brisbane Arena project would still go ahead but in a new location next to the old GABBA stadium with procurement due by the end of 2024 and construction starting in 2026.
The entire Olympic-venue construction program will cost 7.1 billion dollars, shared between the federal and Queensland state governments. Altogether, 17 new or redeveloped venues will be constructed or improved for the Games.
