QLD Premier confirms new Victoria Park stadium, opens Brisbane arena plans to private sector

This afternoon the Premier announced the Victoria Park stadium lay at the centre of the government's delivery plan for the games, which also includes what he claims will be "the best aquatic centre in the globe" at Centenary Pool, the opening up of vacant land near the Gabba for the private sector to build a Brisbane Arena, and a variety of regional projects.

"The certainty and investment driven by a united Queensland working together to implement this plan will create generational opportunities," Premier Crisafulli said.

"It will unlock a 20-year tourism strategy for this state - we must capitalise on the increased interest that comes with hosting this event.

"Imagine the visit Queensland story. Just imagine people sitting there consuming the best food and drink we have on offer in buildings built using Queensland products, and medals made using Queensland minerals. That's a story to tell."

He said the decision followed a 100-day review from an independent infrastructure coordination authority created by his new government, which reviewed thousands of submissions.

"The review thoroughly examined the options on the table. That work revealed the option of major works at the Gabba to bring it up to a standard to befit a Queensland Games just wasn't possible," he said.

"The experts advised it could not be delivered in the timeframe we inherited. There is no longer enough time to get that done.

"So it came down to a choice: a choice between the embarrassment of hosting the Games at QSAC or a new stadium at Victoria Park; it became a choice between spending billions on temporary facilities and temporary stands that delivered no legacy, or securing the future of AFL and cricket at a new home.

"It became a choice between delivering a games with an eye to the future or rewinding the clock for decades."

Crisafulli then emphasised the passion that Olympic and Paralympic swimming stirs in the emotions of Queenslanders "in a way that few other sports can".

"There have been credible options put forward from a concert arena with a drop-in pool, to even a drop-in pool at Suncorp Stadium. The problem with these is that legacy for swimming disappears after the games," he said.

"Instead, we are excited to announce we will build a new national aquatic centre with a games capacity of 25,000 people. The centre will see a number of Olympic and Paralympic sports move their headquarters up to Brisbane permanently - a real world-class legacy which will serve these sports for decades to come.

"It will be constructed at Centenary Pool, and that has the backing of Diving, Artistic Swimming, Water Polo and Swimming Australia."

He said that whilst the review could not consider the merits of a Brisbane Arena being privately funded, the government had seen offers from the private sector to build the venue at a "fraction of the cost for taxpayers".

"The government's decision not to proceed with the arena as part of the Games plan does not mean the death of Brisbane Arena - far from it. What it does mean is an opportunity to put the $2.5 billion the federal government has budgeted towards other infrastructure," he said.

"To show how serious we are about progressing plans with the private sector, today I officially announce our government will move the new Brisbane Arena priority site from Roma Street to the vacant Goprint site at Woolloongabba, and we will proceed immediately with a market-led proposal.

"The vision our government has beyond the Games also includes the Gabba coming down to make way for urban renewal beside a world class arena. Wouldn't it be amazing to see the Australian cricket team win gold at an Olympic final, the Gabba's swan song?"

Other works in the plan include a major upgrade of the Queensland Tennis Centre to include a new 3000-seat show court arena and 12 new match courts which, in addition to Pat Rafter Arena, will opens the doors to even more tournaments for Brisbane.

The Main Arena at the RNA Showgrounds will be upgraded with a 20,000 seat outdoor arena, and the main athlete Village will also be built at the Bowen Hills precinct, within walking distance of the Brisbane Stadium.

Premier Crisafulli also mentioned new and accessible indoor sports centre at Logan and Moreton Bay, a new white water rafting centre in the Redlands, and an upgrade to the Chandler sporting precinct to become a dedicated para-sport community facility.

"When we say legacy, we mean legacy for everyone, and so it will be with transport where upgrades to road, rail and our main highway will better connect Queensland's second-largest city, the Gold Coast," he said.

"The Gold Coast will be home to an athlete's village at Royal Pines, as well as a new arena. I can also today announce that hockey will secure a legacy beyond the Games with a major upgrade to the Gold Coast Hockey Centre."

He also announced Toowoomba's showgrounds would be transformed into an equestrian centre of excellence that will host equestrian events at the Games.

Transport plans also include The Wave rail line running from Beerwah to Birtinya, linking with metro services all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport, through Maroochydore with its CBD "transformed with a new integrated athlete's village" complete with an arena and cultural precinct. 

The Premier also highlighted various projects planned further north in the state.

"It is with great excitement that today I announce in 2032 rowing will be held in Rockhampton," he added.

"Rockhampton has already been the venue for training camps for the Australian Olympic rowing squad, international squads, and it's hosted Queensland schools rowing regattas.

"But that's not all. Football and basketball will be played in Cairns with the possibility of cricket, should it be included in the Games. Townsville will co-host sailing, and the football. Billions of people will see the beauty of the Whitsundays when they co-host sailing.

"There are also plans for Mackay to host the cricket, Maryborough will host archery, and in doing so it will offer the world the chance to witness the majesty of those historic buildings before turning their attention to the beauty, the natural beauty of Harvey Bay."

The Games are due to take place between 23 July and 8 August 2032.