Game over for Gabba rebuild, premier turns to old venue

A costly Gabba rebuild has officially been scrapped, with the Queensland premier to pursue a Brisbane Olympic project considered "very hard to justify".

The Queensland government has accepted almost all of a 2032 Games infrastructure review's 30 recommendations, shelving the divisive Gabba reconstruction.

But Premier Steven Miles has not backed a key finding to build a world-class stadium in an inner-Brisbane park, instead opting to upgrade Suncorp Stadium and the 49-year-old Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre.

Suncorp Stadium general manager Alan Graham and Premier Steven Miles
Queensland Premier Steven Miles says the state cannot afford to rebuild the Gabba.

The 60-day review led by former lord mayor Graham Quirk recommended a $3.4 billion stadium be constructed at Victoria Park as the 2032 Games centrepiece.

It said the proposed 50,000 capacity stadium could be completed in three years and was a better legacy investment, having the potential to rival the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

But Mr Miles ruled it out, saying they would look at an upgraded Suncorp Stadium and QSAC to host the Brisbane Olympic drawcard events.

"When Queenslanders are struggling with housing and other costs, I cannot justify to them spending $3.4 billion on a new stadium," he told reporters on Monday.

The premier said Suncorp Stadium was now set to host the opening and closing ceremonies with QSAC to be the track and field venue, despite the review's warnings.

Built in 1975, QSAC was a 1982 Commonwealth Games venue.

The review found QSAC would require a $1.6 billion redevelopment but believed it would be "very hard to justify" and would not demonstrate value for money.

It claimed transport and access to QSAC - a 20-minute drive from Brisbane's CBD - during the Games would be "extremely challenging and costly to facilitate", recommending it not host Olympic track and field events.

Graham Quirk
A review headed by Graham Quirk recommended a $3.4 billion stadium be constructed at Victoria Park.

But Mr Miles backed calls by International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates for a QSAC revamp, saying the government had been working on the plan for weeks.

"We will upgrade the Queensland sport and athletics complex to be the nation's best athletics facility," he said.

"I know the review rejected that option on the basis of the Olympic access costs - the IOC has committed to me that they will work with us to minimise those requirements."

Depending on the QSAC revamp, Mr Miles said about $1 billion would be spent on upgrades to Suncorp Stadium and a "modest enhancement" of the Gabba.

Mr Miles ordered the review in December after taking over as premier following backlash over a proposed Gabba rebuild, initially estimated to cost $2.7 billion.

The review on Monday revealed a Gabba redevelopment would likely blow out to almost $3.4 billion.

The 42,000 capacity Gabba, first built in 1895 and revamped in 1995, was in "poor condition" and nearing the end of its design life, the review said.

It recommended that when an alternative stadium became available the Gabba should be demolished and the site repurposed.

"The Gabba will reach the end of its life by 2030," Mr Quirk told reporters on Monday.

Artist's impression of a redeveloped Gabba
A number of artist impressions were produced for the possible redevelopment of the Gabba.

"Even if you keep it going beyond that date with some upgrades at some stage the Gabba is going to need to be replaced and it is never going to be a tier one stadium because of the limitation of space."

Mr Miles confirmed the Gabba would instead receive some "enhancement" but AFL and cricket would not be displaced and the nearby East Brisbane State School wouldn't be vacated.

"The iconic Gabba will always be a stadium," he said.

The premier did back a key review recommendation to relocate the proposed $2.5 billion Brisbane Arena, which is set to host the Olympic swimming.

The 15,000-seat venue was initially set to be built over inner-city Roma Street rail lines, but the cost looked set to blow out to more than $4 billion.

Instead, the review recommends Brisbane Arena be relocated to a nearby council depot site to the north of Roma Street Parklands.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store