A 2032 Olympic review will look for a better option than rebuilding Brisbane’s Gabba stadium, with Queensland Premier Steven Miles concerned over its $2.7 billion price tag.
Miles said on Thursday his preference was to find an alternative, barely two months after announcing the bold stadium project.
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Former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk has been appointed to lead a 60-day Olympic infrastructure review starting on Thursday and the “divisive” Gabba project is set to top his list.
Rivals have called for the reconstruction of the venue to be axed due to escalating costs after the plan’s initial $1 billion price tag blew out to almost three times that estimate.
“Queenslanders are concerned about that level of expense. I certainly am too,” Miles told reporters on Thursday.
“There were several stages through last year when I set my department … (to) find me new options, and the options that came back were not as good.
“I’m hopeful this independent review process, this fresh set of eyes … can come back to us with options … that are better value for money.”
Quirk — assisted by experts Ken Kanofski and Michelle Morris — will report to Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace on March 18.
The premier said he would accept their recommendations even if it meant axing the rebuild.
“The advice to me consistently had been that this was the best option to meet the requirements of the Games — I want a fresh set of eyes on that,” he said of the Gabba reconstruction.
“They might come back and say that’s true, in which case I hope that that puts the issue behind us.
“But my preference would be that they come back and say ‘actually there is an alternative and here’s what we think you should do’ in which case I will take that advice.”
Asked if his preference was to ditch the rebuild, Miles said: “My preference is to find a better value for money outcome”.
He announced in November the Gabba would be completely demolished and reconstructed over four years from 2026, meaning Brisbane’s AFL and cricket had to find a new home.
However, he ushered in the Olympic infrastructure review barely a month later, after taking over as premier from Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Miles said he called for the review to ensure the Brisbane Games united Queenslanders.
“Brisbane 2032 will be the best Olympic and Paralympic Games ever,” he said.
“But concerns about the cost of some venues have made it a divisive issue in the Queensland community — I want to change that.”
Quirk, Brisbane lord mayor from 2011-2019, was a catalyst for a Brisbane Olympics when he oversaw a 2015 feasibility study.
“Many people call him the father of the Brisbane Games and I can’t think of anyone better to lead this review,” Miles said.
Other proposed Olympic venues to be assessed include the inner-city $2.5 billion Brisbane Arena set to host the 2032 Olympic swimming in a drop-in pool.
Projects will be evaluated on whether they can be delivered, provide value for money, are fit for purpose and create a “substantial legacy”.
“It will purely be looking at the big ticket items,” Quirk said.
“I will not be seeking any extension of time; 2032 is not going to wait for us, so each day counts.”
