News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News

[Viceregal]

Save Victoria Park has disputed the call over "nothing scary", have claimed they have heard the haunted screams of the undead emitting from several of the geotechnical bore holes.

As long as they are settler/convict/guard undead that is fine ... only an issue if they are first nations undead!

 

[Perrip]

Save Victoria Park has disputed the call over "nothing scary", have claimed they have heard the haunted screams of the undead emitting from several of the geotechnical bore holes.

They commented this under Bliejie announcing the Delivery Partner on Linkedin. Funny that it differs from what GIICA said about the geotechnical study results.

 

[Section 5]

In line with the Queensland Procurement Policy (QPP), the principles that drive
GIICA’s procurement activities are:

Principle 1: Achieve value for money
We will achieve value for money by considering:

• cost-related factors including up-front price, whole-of-life costs and transaction costs associated with acquisition, use, holding, maintenance and disposal
• non-cost factors such as fitness for purpose, quality, delivery, service, and support
• relevant government economic, ethical, social and environmental objectives and targets.

Principle 2: Apply a 'responsible public procurement' approach
We will ensure our procurement activities deliver added value for economic, ethical, social and environmental outcomes, consistent with Queensland Government objectives.

Principle 3: Behave ethically, and embed integrity, probity and accountability
We uphold a culture of ethics, integrity, probity and accountability, respecting the trust of all stakeholders including suppliers and the community.

Principle 4: Be leaders in procurement practice
We strive for continuous improvement in capability and performance.

Principle 5: Collaborate for more effective outcomes
We will collaborate with stakeholders and Games Delivery Partners to maximise opportunities for efficiency.

Principle 6: Support strong governance and planning
We support governance structures established by the QPP and integrate planning at all levels, from ‘category ‘strategies, through to procurement planning and ‘significant procurement’ planning.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

They commented this under Bliejie announcing the Delivery Partner on Linkedin. Funny that it differs from what GIICA said about the geotechnical study results.
View attachment 2498542

Maybe they're assuming (read: hoping) that the underlying rock is Brisbane Tuff, which is a super-hard igneous rock that runs mostly from Kangaroo Point up through Kedron (one of the reasons the Cross-River Rail has seen such delays). Not that the geology that is there is easily excavated by any stretch, but due to the way the layers of the rock angle obliquely downward, it's much easier to take out though open-cut excavation than by tunnelling. Or so I've been told.

 

[Section 5]

2032 Brisbane Olympics - Arup to Shape Victoria Park Legacy | Construction People

The 2032 Olympics is the stage. But the real story is whether Victoria Park becomes a long-lasting, much-loved part of Brisbane’s everyday.

constructionpeople.com.au

The above is a pretty good article

The basics – What has recently been announced​

1. Project scope. Arup will steer the masterplan covering Victoria Park, the Brisbane Showgrounds, and the National Aquatic Centre.
2. Site size. Roughly 64 hectares of inner‐city land. This includes the former golf course area of Victoria Park / Barrambin.
3. What the masterplan covers. Urban design, engineering, transport planning, sustainability, stakeholder and community engagement.
4. Immediate task. The first major deliverable is an Infrastructure Structure Plan. That means technical site investigations, major connectivity designs, public infrastructure, all with an eye to how people will move through the precinct during Games time, and (importantly) afterwards.

.............................................................................................

Why this matters – The big picture​

It’s not simply about hosting world‐class sporting events. The Queensland government and stakeholders are clear – the precinct must endure ie. they want public and green spaces that carry value long after the Olympic flame has been extinguished.

Key legacy themes being emphasized:

1. Connectivity. Better walking and cycling routes, roads, bridges, public transport. The precinct is seen as a node that should be easy to access from various parts of the city.
2. Green space and environmental restoration. Increased tree canopy (Victoria Park / Barrambin’s council master plan targets 60%), restored waterholes, wetlands and providing more shaded public space. These contribute to urban cooling, biodiversity, and livability in Brisbane’s subtropical climate.
3. Cultural and community infrastructure. Sporting and recreation assets, event facilities, places for public gathering designed for everyday use, not just special occasions.
4. Respect for history. The site’s heritage, including its First Nations cultural significance, will be acknowledged and incorporated into the design in a way that strengthens identity without compromising usability.

....................................................................

Bottom line​

Handled well, Victoria Park could become a legacy precinct – parklands and nature restored, iconic venues that live many lives, better connected neighborhoods, and spaces that breathe life into Brisbane long after the Olympic crowds have gone.

On the flip side, missteps now – marginalizing community voices, underestimating heritage, pushing budget over viability, designing for spectacle over substance – could leave behind costly monuments rather than meaningful legacies.

 

[Section 5]

I asked copilot to give me an image of a possible construction area for a new stadium at Victoria Park
Using satellite view of google maps as a guide
Changed the wording a bit the second time
Interesting that AI has taken the same 2 fairways that the workers were contracted to do a topography survey of.

First result



Second result.

 

[Perrip]

Handled well, Victoria Park could become a legacy precinct – parklands and nature restored, iconic venues that live many lives, better connected neighborhoods, and spaces that breathe life into Brisbane long after the Olympic crowds have gone.

On the flip side, missteps now – marginalizing community voices, underestimating heritage, pushing budget over viability, designing for spectacle over substance – could leave behind costly monuments rather than meaningful legacies.

Sounds like AECOM and Arup are aware that these precincts and venues need to be used long-term and designed for the community. Which should be the priority.

AECOM Australia chief executive Mark McManamny said the biggest lesson they could bring from previous Games was ensuring a legacy was left behind for the population.
“For Queensland, in this instance, it’s not just about the delivery of the Games themselves – it’s actually about the impact that the infrastructure will have on communities long term,” he said.
“The lesson is making sure that...
“Secondly, it’s making sure that once the Games have occurred, those assets are then valuable to the community, and that there’s an ongoing legacy that’s provided for everyone who’s been part of it.”

Arup to lead Victoria Park Masterplan for Brisbane 2032 Games Precinct

The precinct, which includes the future Brisbane Stadium, National Aquatic Centre, and Brisbane Athlete Village, will be reimagined as a vibrant hub for sport, recreation, and community life. Arup will deliver the foundational planning, design, and technical investigations to shape this generational infrastructure investment.
...
The first phase of the detailed master-planning process for the Victoria Park Precinct is the development of the Infrastructure Structure Plan which will include technical site investigations, planning and design the major pieces of connectivity and public realm infrastructure to support infrastructure delivery and ensure visitors can move seamlessly around the precinct.
The masterplan will focus on world-class and public and green spaces, improving connectivity, and creating connectivity through transport integration, and seamless experiences for the thousands expected to enjoy the precinct during and long after the Games.
...
“From the Sydney 2000 Games through to Paris and now Brisbane, our approach to masterplanning is grounded in a once-in-a-generation lens - one that aligns with the Queensland Government’s bold vision for the Victoria Park Precinct. The opportunity to reimagine the inner Brisbane precinct as a world-class hub for recreation, events, entertainment, and lifestyle as a lasting legacy for Queenslanders well beyond the Games is both familiar and tremendously exciting for our team to be a part of.”

 

[dlanod]

People like to shit on Olympic Park here in Sydney but it's actually a really good precinct - and with the Victoria Park equivalent being within walking distance (if not easy) of the CBD it'll be a massive win going forward to keep it all open and available for use.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

If the above is the location, they can do some really interest stuff with the topography, using the gullies for access to lower levels seating and gullies to upper levels, drainage notwithstanding. I tend to think that the northern end of that zone is more likely due to reduced earthworks.

Interesting that google maps isn't showing the locations of those boreholes anymore.

 

[Perrip]

If the above is the location, they can do some really interest stuff with the topography, using the gullies for access to lower levels seating and gullies to upper levels, drainage notwithstanding. I tend to think that the northern end of that zone is more likely due to reduced earthworks.

Think that formed part of the Lions submission for Victoria Park, if I remember correctly from Anson on the Roar Deal, to really integrate the stadium with the hilly Victoria Park.

 

[Section 5]

Found this very cool golf site that has a "Hole Flyover" for each hole from when it was in operation.
It is excellent at showing the hilly nature of the VP area.
Especially so for those on BF that have never been to VP. Even includes the weather forecast.

The two fairways that they were doing topography on, are holes 9, 13 and 14.

Below link should open up at hole 9.
To view the other holes (recommended if you have not been to VP) just click on the ones you want.

To get a better perspective click on the full screen icon.
Viewing on YouTube also available. You will have to go back to the original golf site each time to select the next hole

Every Hole Flyover for Victoria Park Public Course in HERSTON, Queensland, AU in 4006 by GolfTraxx

golftraxx.com

If you just want to look at holes 9, 13, & 14 on YouTube they are below.

 

[Perrip]

Who could've seen this coming
Suncorp stagnation: No progress yet on plans for stadium upgrade - Cameron Atfield

The planned upgrade of Suncorp Stadium is not as advanced as Premier David Crisafulli has made out, with government searches showing no progress has been made.
...
... right to information requests lodged with Stadiums Queensland, along with the Department of State Development and the Department of Sport, produced no evidence of any such work being undertaken.
All three RTI requests found a total of zero documents related to planned upgrades at the stadium.
When confronted with the RTI results, a spokesman for Crisafulli confirmed progress had not gone beyond budget deliberations.
“We have made commitments to upgrade Suncorp Stadium ahead of 2032, and that will absolutely occur, with internal discussions around budget arrangements under way,” he said.
The government’s priority, the spokesman said, was to get “get those venues that don’t current exist up and out of the ground” in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

[Section 5]

Who could've seen this coming
Suncorp stagnation: No progress yet on plans for stadium upgrade - Cameron Atfield

If they were smart, nothing would be done with Suncorp.
I hope the IOC convince Crisafulli it's not needed and should not proceed.

 

[Perrip]

If they were smart, nothing would be done with Suncorp.
I hope the IOC convince Crisafulli it's not needed and should not proceed.

That's what I've always thought since Miles announced it after the Quirk review. Even GIICA said in the 100 Day Review they don't believe Suncorp requires any significant upgrade to host Olympic events. Seems to be just a cheap political move for votes after the Broncos won the two GFs this year.

 

[Section 5]

That's what I've always thought since Miles announced it after the Quirk review. Even GIICA said in the 100 Day Review they don't believe Suncorp requires any significant upgrade to host Olympic events. Seems to be just a cheap political move for votes after the Broncos won the two GFs this year.

Hopefully that is all it was because if they go ahead, it will be as expensive or likely more expensive than the National Aquatic Centre.
I am using The Gabba estimate as a guide and The Gabba was not getting a roof to enclose the stadium.

Crisafulli at present can see the Olympics as his legacy but it could be his downfall if he continues along this path.
He has done a good job to right the sinking ship that was Labors plan.
Now is not the time to put his own big hole in that ship

The government estimate for NAC was $650 million.
GIIC did a more realistic budget being $1.2 billion.
Price still unknown of course until we see a contract.

 

[Perrip]

Message from the Chairman

Off Field, on 25 March the Queensland Government announced its plan to deliver a new 63,000 seat oval stadium at Victoria Park in Brisbane’s inner north, to replace the ageing Gabba. The stadium will be built to support the delivery of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with the Lions and cricket to be legacy users. This stadium is a game changer for our club, our code and the city more broadly. We would like to publicly acknowledge the State Government’s vision and the support of the Federal Government towards the project. We continue to engage with the Government and relevant authorities around the planning, design and development and look forward to keeping members updated over the years to come.
...
The club has progressed development of a new $50 million the Community Hub adjacent to Brighton Homes Arena, with a Development Application submitted to Ipswich Council in September. The Hub will deliver more sporting facilities and community spaces to benefit the local region and deliver additional green space for the club to enhance our Academy programs.

 

[Saucery]

Wouldn't it be awesome to include:

Movie animation technology can help athletes recover from ACL injuries

The reasons for high rates of serious knee injuries among female athletes are not fully understood.

www.abc.net.au

In a high-performance hub.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Wasn't even about the Olympics or events at the stadium and aquatics center post-2032, it was about construction of those venues impacting school pickup.
View attachment 2492333

Oh no, those poor Brisbane Grammar kids being picked up in mummy's Porsche Cayenne might have to face a little more traffic getting home from school!

 

[MSB ROYS]

Oh no, those poor Brisbane Grammar kids being picked up in mummy's Porsche Cayenne might have to face a little more traffic getting home from school!

They could use the public transport at 50 cents a trip, but would have to mix with the plebs. What a dilemma .

 

[Perrip]

GIICA: 2025 industry highlights

The first half of 2026 is set to be an exciting period as momentum builds. We’re on track to award several tenders, including:

• Principal Architect for the new Brisbane Stadium
• Principal Architect for the new National Aquatic Centre
• Principal Design Consultants for: Barlow Park Stadium, Sunshine Coast Stadium, Logan Indoor Sport Centre, Moreton Bay Indoor Sport Centre, and Redland Whitewater Centre
• Victoria Park Early Works Contractor.
• Writers and Principal Consultants to progress planning, design and approvals for: Queensland Tennis Centre, Chandler Sports Precinct, Rockhampton Flatwater Facility, Toowoomba Showgrounds, and Brisbane International Shooting Centre

Next year, two proponents will be asked to participate in a dual Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process for Brisbane Stadium. Another key opportunity anticipated to be released to the market during the first half of 2026 is the Invitation to Offer (ITO) for the National Aquatic Centre Early Contractor Involvement.

 

[Section 5]

GIICA: 2025 industry highlights

So just a review of progress in 2025.

 

[Section 5]

Last walk to check out VP for 2025.

All the surveys have been completed.
No barriers remain for where the drilling, testing & ground repair took place.
Just one barrier up that held some work vehicles overnight at end of Gilchrist Avenue.

I have no idea how long it will take to collate the data and issue a full report.
Maybe it is already done and been handed to the LNP or GIICA.
Or sometime mid to late January seeing we are now going into the Christmas New year break.