Development for Brisbane 2032 athletics warm-up facility will not require demolition of homes

Controversial plans for the development of the athletics warm-up facility for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will not now require the demolition of homes in the inner-Brisbane suburb of Kangaroo Point.

Identified as the location for warm-up facilities for athletics events during the Games, initial plans for Raymond Park, located 500 metres from the Gabba stadium, had envisaged the compulsory purchase of homes.

However, following a series of protests, Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles confirmed yesterday that the Queensland Government is now proposing a thinner track which will allow the sports facility to fit inside the current dimensions of the park.

Deputy Premier Miles advised “while early planning considered an eight-lane track, a four-lane track with six-lane straight complies with the International Federation requirements and minimises impacts on residents and trees.

“The Kangaroo Point Rovers Football Club will need to temporarily relocate. We will work with the club to identify alternative facilities and minimise impacts during the construction and operation of the temporary warm-up track.

“The existing club building will be replaced with a new improved football clubhouse after the Games, ensuring a long-term legacy for the club and community.”

The updated plan comes after a petition calling on the government to scrap the redevelopment of the Gabba and save Raymond Park attracted more than 3000 signatures.

The petition, championed by Greens MP Amy MacMahon, protested the positioning of the warm-up track to protect the football club, sports fields, homes and old trees.

The petition stated “a standard athletics track cannot fit in the park - the government will have to bulldoze family homes, clear everything in the park, and dig deep foundations for a track, grandstand, parking and other facilities, which will be ripped up after the Games.”

Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris has also set out to reassure residents that the construction of the Olympic warm-up venue will not see the disrupt of homes with in the area.

Speaking to the Brisbane Times, Liveris stated “heritage structures within the park will remain in place, and the Queensland Government will work with the local football club to build a new clubhouse within Raymond Park.

"Importantly, there are no expected impacts for Raymond Park until much closer to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Committing to staying in close communication with residents around Raymond Park during the construction of the temporary facility, Liveris added “we are committed to being good neighbours to the residents of Raymond Park and will work closely with the Queensland Government to ensure the community is kept informed of planning and progress over the coming years."

Traditionally, warm-up tracks have been adjacent to the Olympic athletic venues but the lack of space around the Brisbane Cricket Ground - which is due to be rebuilt at an approximate cost of $2.7 billion - means Raymond Park is the closet location.

The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee is responsible for the construction of the temporary four-lane track, with a six-lane straight and warm-up facilities.

The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee will be responsible for the construction of the temporary four-lane track, with a six-lane straight and warm-up facilities and will manage operations around the Raymond Park precinct during Games time.

It will also be tasked with restoring the area after the Games.

Development of the Gabba will also see the loss of the neighbouring East Brisbane State School, with its heritage buildings to be incorporated into the redeveloped venue.

Images: Raymond Park from the air with the Gabba in the background (top, credit: Google Earth) and plans for the Brisbane 2032 athletics warm-up facility in Raymond Park (below, credit: Facebook/Amy MacMahon).