ASM Global’s Harvey Lister ‘disappointed’ at exclusion of Brisbane Arena project from 2032 Games venue proposals

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli's announcement that plans for venues to host events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics will not include the Brisbane Live/Arena has left Harvey Lister, Chairman and Chief Executive of Brisbane-based ASM Global (APAC & MENA) “disappointed”.

Announcing the 2032 Games Delivery Plan yesterday, Premier Crisafulli advised that the Queensland Government will not proceed with the 17,000-seat sports and entertainment venue to be built close to the heart of the city - above the new Roma Street underground train station - that ASM Global first proposed in 2016.

Noting the release of the venues and infrastructure plan, ASM Global released a statement welcoming the “certainty” that the announcement “provides all those involved with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

Acknowledging that announcements provided the clarity that Brisbane needed, Lister stated “clearly after over a decade of investment and planning we are disappointed to see Brisbane Arena not be named as one of the Olympic venues at the Roma St site.

“We are however encouraged by the Premier Crisafulli’s commitment to immediately call for Market Led Proposals for Brisbane Arena for the alternative site at Go Print site in Woolloongabba.

“We eagerly await details regarding the urban renewal opportunity the Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie has now assumed responsibility for and further clarity of the process of delivering at this alternative location.”

Premier Crisafulli’s exclusion of the venue, apparently a recommendation of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA), comes despite the Federal Government committing $2.4 billion for the Brisbane Live/Arena project in February 2023 and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week confirming financial backing for a new Brisbane Arena.

Instead, Premier Crisafulli said that he expected the Commonwealth funds would go towards other infrastructure, including the Brisbane stadium, swimming, tennis and national aquatic centre.

Suggesting a new indoor arena would be at the vacant GoPrint site at Woolloongabba, Premier Crisafulli said that its relocation would not mean the "death of (the) Brisbane arena".

He indicated that the Queensland Government had instead received offers from the private sector to build an arena at "a fraction of the cost for taxpayers" with a call for Market Led Proposals for the venue.

ASM Global entered an Early Operator Engagement Deed with the Queensland Government in 2018 for a new indoor venue to be built on an over-rail site at Roma Street - a location chosen by the then Queensland Government.

In 2019, Lister expressed his frustration at the lack of progress on the transformational scheme.

The global venue management company noted that Brisbane has never enjoyed a purpose-built inner-city arena, adding “our city is currently served by the 12,000 seat Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondall, which was, ironically, built as the gymnastics venue as part of a previous Olympics bid by Brisbane in 1992."

Lister added “Premier Crisafulli shares our Brisbane Live vision where Brisbane is well served by our concept of a world-class, indoor, inner city 18,000 seat arena.”

Images: A previously rejected concept for the Brisbane Live/Arena at Woolloongabba (top) and a 2021 concept for the venue above the new Roma Street underground train station (below).