New & upgraded 2032 Games infrastructure for Greater Brisbane

As a result of a 100 Day Review, stakeholder consultation and community input, the Queensland Government has released Delivering 2032 and Beyond – a plan that earmarks several developments for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

As part of the 2032 Delivery Plan, a new world-class Brisbane Stadium is set to be built at Victoria Park and it will become part of a thriving central Games precinct that spans Spring Hill, Bowen Hills and Victoria Park. 

Beyond the Games, the new Brisbane Stadium will provide a long-lasting legacy for AFL in Queensland. 

“Building the new stadium at Victoria Park was a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy or securing the future of sports, like the AFL, with a new home. 

“The Brisbane Lions inspire so many young Queenslanders to get involved in sports, and we all take great pride in their success. 

“The AAFL Premiers can finally feel secure in the fact they will have a world-class stadium to call home for years to come,” Premier David Crisafulli said. 

“Unlocking urban renewal along our major transport networks also delivers new homes, more jobs and increased investment to supercharge Queensland’s economy,” Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said. 

The stadium will have a capacity to seat 63,000 fans for AFL matches, which is almost double the capacity of the ageing The Gabba venue that holds just 37,000. This means the reigning AFL Premiers – the Brisbane Lions – will be able to hear an additional 26,000 fans roaring when they tackle the competition in their new den. 

The new Brisbane Stadium will be the centrepiece of the 2032 Delivery Plan, but the benefits that this infrastructure will deliver for Queensland will last decades beyond the Games. 

“The Brisbane Lions have done an incredible job of growing AFL in Queensland, with junior participation rates comparable to some traditional football strongholds around the country. 

“The new world-class facilities will motivate the players to even better performances, turning Victoria Park into a place the likes of Collingwood will dread,” Minister for Sports and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said. 

“The Gabba has been a great home for the past 30 years, but the city has outgrown it, the Lions have outgrown it, and the venue is reaching its end of life. 

“Between now and the Olympics, nearly four million Queensland sports fans will visit The Gabba for either a Lions or cricket match, with each event creating jobs and economic opportunities, and ensuring our local events industry is equipped and skilled to deliver the Games,” Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann said. 

In addition to the new stadium, the 2032 Delivery Plan has also outlined the construction of a new National Aquatic Centre at the site of the Centenary Pool in Spring Hill to cater for swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming events. 

The Queensland Tennis Centre will also have a major upgrade that will deliver a new 3,000-seat show court arena as well as 12 new match courts which, in addition to Pat Rafter Arena, will open the doors to even more tournaments for Brisbane. 

Meanwhile, the Main Arena at the RNA Showground will be upgraded with a 20,000-seat outdoor arena that will give the Queensland Ekka an even brighter future. 

At Bowen Hills, the main Athlete Village will be built within walking distance of the new Brisbane Stadium. After the Games, it will be converted to permanent housing. 

A Brisbane Arena is no longer needed for the Games however, the Queensland Government has taken steps to allow Brisbane Live to be delivered by the private sector to provide the opportunity for the Australian Government’s contribution to be directed towards other essential Games infrastructure. 

The Brisbane Arena priority site is going to be moved to the vacant GoPrint site in Woolloongabba. This will pave the way for a permanent legacy in addition to a new housing and entertainment precinct over the Gabba when it is taken down. 

Moreover, this move will secure the future of the East Brisbane State School, ensuring that it is not relocated. 

Greater Brisbane will also benefit from other new and upgraded infrastructure, including: 

• Upgraded Chandler Sport Precinct to include a dedicated Para-sport Facility 

• New Redland Whitewater Centre will be delivered within the future Birkdale Community Precinct 

• Brisbane International Shooting Centre upgraded to increase capacity of the indoor range 

• Logan and Moreton Indoor Sports Centres built to address the growing demand for indoor courts in some of the fastest growing areas of Queensland 

“Brisbane will be centre stage for the greatest show on earth and the benefits will last for decades after the Closing Ceremony. 

“With major new venues and upgraded sports facilities, greater Brisbane will have high-performance venues attracting world events beyond 2032. 

“A new stadium will allow Queensland to attract sporting and music events and be the new home for AFL and Cricket. 

“Delivering 2032 and Beyond is a gamechanger for our State and with this plan we will deliver a Games all Queenslanders can be proud of,” Premier Crisafulli said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements (1, 2)