Key 2032 Olympic projects and Gabba rebuild to be reviewed

A plan to rebuild the Gabba should be scrapped, a Brisbane 2032 Olympic infrastructure review says. Photo: Queensland government
A controversial Gabba rebuild will be reconsidered along with other Brisbane Olympic infrastructure projects under a new-look Queensland government.
Incoming premier Steven Miles says an independent authority will be established to look over 2032 infrastructure plans, with the $2.7 billion Gabba reconstruction on the list.
Rivals have called for the rebuild to be scrapped due to its escalating costs after the planâs initial $1 billion price tag blew out to almost three times that estimate.
Miles announced last month the Gabba would be demolished and reconstructed by 2030, unveiling a bold new vision for Brisbaneâs home of AFL and cricket.
But those plans are now being reviewed, with Miles confirming an independent authority would be set up when he takes the reins.
Miles will be sworn in as Queenslandâs 40th premier after Annastacia Palaszczuk officially tenders her resignation on Friday.
âEvery other time Iâve asked those questions the advice back has been the Gabba redevelopment is absolutely necessary to host Brisbane 2032,â Miles told reporters on Wednesday.
âBut I think itâs reasonable for us to be absolutely assured of that before we finalise those tenders.â
Miles said he wanted to be assured the Gabba redevelopment was the best value outcome for Queensland and the displacement plan looked after its tenants, AFLâs Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket.
A row has erupted over the AFL and cricket temporary home, with the Brisbane Lord Mayor refusing to back a funding plan for a $137 million RNA Showgrounds revamp.
Treasurer Cameron Dick, who is set to be Milesâ deputy in a new-look cabinet, said Olympic projects were on âpauseâ ahead of the 60-day independent review.
âWeâll be conducting a review of investment into Olympics infrastructure,â he said.
Asked if the Gabba rebuild may not happen, Dick said: âLook, letâs take it one step at a time.
âI think we need to pause. Weâre going to pause on the projects.
âWeâre just going to have a review. Weâre going to take our time to consider that and weâre going to set up an independent authority.â
Miles said he had begun talks with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and the review had been raised with both the International Olympic Committee and Brisbane 2032 organisers.
Deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie said the LNP had been calling for an independent authority to be installed for more than a year.
âWe have been consistently calling for an independent body to end the madness and the chaos and crisis,â he said.
The Queensland Greens and Katterâs Australian Party have called for not only the Gabba rebuild but also the 2032 Brisbane Games to be scrapped and funding allocated elsewhere.
-AAP








