In a bold move, Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions AFL club have joined forces to implore Premier David Crisafulli to reconsider his stance on building a new stadium for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. The sporting bodies recently sent a joint letter to the premier, expressing their support for the proposed $3.4 billion Victoria Park venue as the centerpiece of the Games.
Frustrations Mount Over Gabba’s Future
The plea comes amidst growing frustrations over the uncertain future of the aging Gabba stadium, home to both Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions. According to sources close to the matter, the two organizations are seeking assurances from the government about a comprehensive venue plan that ensures the survival of both sports without financially crippling them.
Terry Svenson, CEO of Queensland Cricket, spoke candidly to reporters, stating, “We’re hoping to meet with the new premier and his team over the next couple of weeks to discuss our expectations and, more importantly, the frustrations we have had over the last 18 months.”
Premier’s Stance on New Stadium
The joint plea comes in the wake of Premier Crisafulli’s decision to scrap the previous Labor government’s Olympic venue plan after winning the October 26 election. The Liberal National Party leader has repeatedly ruled out building a new Olympic stadium, instead opting for an independent body to conduct a 100-day review and provide a new 2032 blueprint.
However, Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions remain undeterred by the premier’s stance. “We hope common sense will prevail,” Svenson remarked, as the two organizations prepare to meet with the premier to discuss the Gabba’s future.
Gabba’s Tumultuous Journey
The Gabba has undergone a tumultuous journey in recent years, with various plans for its redevelopment or replacement being proposed and subsequently abandoned. Initially, under the Labor government, the stadium was set to be demolished and rebuilt for a staggering $2.7 billion ahead of the 2032 Games. However, this plan was scrapped following a public backlash over the escalating costs.
A more modest $600 million Olympic facelift for the Gabba was then proposed, but this plan was also shelved when the new LNP government took office, sending the stadium’s future back to square one.
Victoria Park Stadium Pitch
Svenson emphasized that “everything is on the table” for their upcoming talks with the government but expressed support for the proposed 55,000-capacity Victoria Park stadium. An independent Olympic venue review earlier this year concluded that the Gabba would reach the end of its lifespan in 2030 and was in “poor condition.”
The uncertainty surrounding the aging facility’s future has left the Gabba scrambling to host prestigious international cricket matches, currently ranking as Australia’s fifth-best Test venue.
Time for Decisive Action
Both Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions are urging the government to make a decision on the Gabba’s fate sooner rather than later, allowing them to plan for the future. If the stadium is to be revamped or replaced, the two sporting codes would need to find alternative home venues, with Queensland Cricket alone facing potential displacement costs of up to $40 million.
“If displacement is back on the table, we actually need to have that conversation with the government,” Svenson stressed. “If this place gets knocked down and rebuilt, where do the Lions play, where does Australian cricket play? It’s important for us to have certainty that it doesn’t send us broke.”
Government’s Response
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, while acknowledging that he had not yet seen the letter, expressed his willingness to look into the matter. However, he reiterated the government’s commitment to the 100-day review and maintained their stance against building a new stadium.
As the 100-day review gets underway, the fate of the Gabba and the dreams of a new Olympic stadium for Brisbane hang in the balance. Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions await the opportunity to present their case to the premier, hoping to secure a future that benefits not only their sports but also the city of Brisbane as it prepares to host the world’s greatest sporting event in 2032.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of Brisbane’s Olympic preparations and the legacy it will leave for generations of athletes and fans to come. As the debate over the Gabba’s future intensifies, one thing remains clear: the decisions made today will shape the face of Australian sport for decades to come.
