Design consortium reveals proposal for riverside Brisbane 2032 Olympic stadium

Amid uncertainty over the Queensland Government’s plans for a main stadium for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, the Brisbane Design Alliance has unveiled a proposal for a 60,000 seat stadium and surrounding sport and hospitality precinct on the Brisbane River.

The ‘speculative proposal’ from the Brisbane Design Alliance - a collaborative team of architecture, planning and engineering firms that comprises Buchan, HKS, NRA Collaborative, Aurecon and Nikken Sekkei - reimagines a site on Brisbane's Northshore as a lively new precinct accommodating the new stadium along with housing, recreation and entertainment venues.

The scheme, named Northshore Vision 2050, features a 60,000-seat stadium with an adjacent aquatic centre, a wave pool and retail and hospitality zone along with pedestrian promenades that would maximise access to the Brisbane River and create a waterfront tourism destination.

The Alliance envisages that the $6 billion the scheme could be brought to life through a private finance model, minimising costs to the Queensland Government.

HKS Director Andrew Colling said the proposed design transforms underutilised industrial land, as well as leverages the potential of the Brisbane River as a prominent feature. He explained that the scheme responds to projected population growth in the next 25 years through a mixed-use precinct located on the shores of the Brisbane River.

Explaining that that the scheme addresses the challenges of the city’s existing sports infrastructure, Colling noted “we love the Gabba and its history, but its potential will always be constrained by its narrow site.

“A new, world-class stadium at Northshore can be purpose-built for cricket and Aussie Rules while creating a unique Brisbane 2032 Olympics experience and venue to be proud of. Having direct connection to the river and views from inside the stadium back to the CBD will showcase our city’s natural beauty, river setting and sub-tropical climate to the world.”

Advising that the proposed project would be delivered in stages, said Buchan Principal, Phil Schoutrop added “stage one would establish a sports and entertainment precinct that accommodates the 2032 Olympics. It includes the stadium, warm-up facilities, and a 2,500 apartment athletes’ village, alongside hotel, restaurant and leisure amenities.”

The ensuing stages would occur over 15 years. These stages would see the establishment of an additional 12,000 residential apartments and townhouses; enterprise, innovation and cultural zones; a specialist high performance sports science and sports medicine zone, and a central park with public open spaces. An elevated, landscaped walkway or highline would later connect the precinct to Doomben Station, while a green pedestrian bridge over the river would link the site to the suburb of Bulimba.

Schoutrop went on to highlight the success of the 2012 London Games in revitalising the suburb of Stratford, adding “London used the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to turn industrial land in the city’s east into a precinct that is now a thriving place to live and work, with enviable sports and wellness facilities. We can do the same in Brisbane. Our design-led scheme optimises land use and investment to make the most of this exciting period of growth and opportunity.”

Queensland Government reaction
Surprisingly, the release of the concept has been met with an unenthusiastic response from the Queensland Government, which is currently planning on upgrading the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre Stadium to serve as the main athletics venue during the 2032 Games.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles has said it is “highly unlikely” that the proposal could be privately funded, while Queensland Minister for Education and Youth Justice Di Farmer indicated that tenders have already been issued for the QSAC Stadium upgrade.

Following the Queensland Government’s decision to scrap the rebuilding of the Gabba earlier this year in favour of the QSAC Stadium upgrade, various groups and influencers have called for a better option.

Image: The Brisbane Design Alliance's concept for a 60,000 stadium and surrounding precinct on Brisbane’s Northshore. Credit: Brisbane Design Alliance.