Incoming Queensland Premier to review Olympic stadium plans

Incoming Queensland Premier Steven Miles has said he will establish an independent body to oversee infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The move follows mounting criticism of the in-house approach to Games infrastructure adopted by outgoing Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who stepped down on Sunday announcing her retirement from politics.

Current Deputy Premier Miles, who is expected to be confirmed as Premier on Friday, announced yesterday that under his leadership, an independent infrastructure agency would be established to deliver projects for the Games.

He confirmed that this would mean major infrastructure projects for the Games, including the $2.7 billion rebuilding of the Gabba and the recently announced $137 million redevelopment of the RNA Showgrounds’ Main Arena as its temporary replacement.

Pledging a review of the projects, Deputy Premier Miles explained “I want there to be a review of the major venues master plan.

“That will again look at the Gabba and those displacement issues. Every other time I’ve asked those questions, the advice has been that the Gabba redevelopment is absolutely necessary to host Brisbane 2032.

“But I think it’s reasonable for us to be absolutely assured of that before we finalise those tenders so that process will happen. I also want to make sure that we have a good displacement plan for the Brisbane Lions and our cricket teams to make sure that they have somewhere good to play in the time that needs to happen.”

Under Premier Palaszczuk, the Queensland Government had previously opted to install an Olympics Coordination Office instead of a cross-government agency overseeing infrastructure projects.

When questioned on the Gabba project, Treasurer Cameron Dick, who will on Friday be elected Deputy Premier, indicated that there would be a “pause” on projects while a review takes place.

Treasurer Dick stated “we’re going to pause on the projects, we’re just going to have a review.

“We’re going to take our time to consider that and we’re going to set up that independent authority. There are some moving parts there, that we’re going to reflect on as a new government.”

As Deputy Premier, Miles had been a strong supporter of keeping Olympics planning within the Premier’s department. Just last month he unveiled plans for the surrounding precinct - dubbed ‘East Bank’ after Brisbane’s South Bank, which was redeveloped following World Expo in 1988.

However, speaking yesterday he advised that he had been “convinced” of the need for an independent delivery authority for games infrastructure, noting “we’ll start work just as soon as I get my feet under the desk on that initiative, amongst all of the others which I intend to outline to Queenslanders once the caucus has met on Friday.”

The Queensland Government last month announced it was seeking out design and construction partners for the complete redevelopment of the Gabba Stadium after the project to transform the venue into the centrepiece for Brisbane 2032 was approved.

The International Olympic Committee has repeatedly declared that the Gabba redevelopment is not required to host the Games. The upgrade has been justified on the ground that the Gabba is ageing and needs a refresh.

The review will also look into other Olympics infrastructure, including the Brisbane Live arena and a range of regional venues.

Images: Concepts for Brisbane 2032 venues as submitted in the Olympics/Paralympics bid in 2021 (top) and incoming Queensland Premier Steven Miles (below).