News Gabba Upgrade & Olympics News

[Kernel Kurtz]

The pat rafter area is only 120 mill I think its worthwhile as opposed to sending it to melbourne, the games need to be reasonably central and considering its spread to Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast thats enough combined with cricket/soccer being spread also

It would take a little pressure off accomodation in Brisbane if these events were interstate.
Great idea.
Spread the love.
We live in different times where the cost of builds are almost out of control ,also a short supply of builders so not a horrible idea to spread events arouund the hosting Country.
Otherwise what nation would bid on the games in the future. ( other than the emirates).

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

I saw an estimate of $113 million but that will blow out especially if there is a worker shortage which there will be.
Money is always an issue but for me the LNP are creating a worker shortage when they could do things to mitigate that.
The two biggest issues for Brisbane are the workers required and the lack of transport even allowing for what's planned.

Finding enough construction workers is a big problem and Liveris knows it.
He spins it well but also states it keeps him up at night.
Liveris also has stated we need another 32K beds on top of the usual demand increases to accommodate visitors.
That's a lot of construction the LNP government has made very little mention of yet, but they would/should be aware.

The LNP and GIICA saying everything is moving forward well, is just a slogan really.
6 of the 7 new venues are in the planning and approval stage which is great and they should be at this stage.
VP stadium is "Planning and approvals phase, Design phase, Early works phase" which it should be as the biggest build.
So, in that sense they are correct, but the hard part begins in the next 12–24-month period.

Cricket will be at The Gabba and maybe Carrara or ABF. So basically, they stay at the Athletes village in Brisbane
Sydney and Melbourne are already being used for soccer, so it's already spread out and that won't change.
Moving these two venues will add more athletes to those cities which i think is a good thing.
They should be able to find suitable accommodation there in our 2 largest cities.
That means less beds needed in Brisbane's village.
Moving the 2 won't make the Olympics more spread out, it will be the same.

Lol ,
I read your post before this one and made a few points you have detailed very well here.
I got to lift my game.
Totally agree with you

 

[mighty_lions]

It would take a little pressure off accomodation in Brisbane if these events were interstate.
Great idea.
Spread the love.
We live in different times where the cost of builds are almost out of control ,also a short supply of builders so not a horrible idea to spread events arouund the hosting Country.
Otherwise what nation would bid on the games in the future. ( other than the emirates).

One of the most important parts of the olympics is fan/athlete experience, are athletes really going to feel apart of it if they are shipped off to melbourne Sydney or Rockhampton? or fans for that matter

 

[Section 5]

A mate of mine works for the QLD government in the construction field.

We drove out to BHA together last Friday and had a long chat about the Olympics, and possible labor shortage.

His response was there won’t be a labor shortage for the Olympic projects.

He said he was in a government briefing last week, where this was discussed (mostly outlining what his department had to do).

He said the money on offer for construction labor will ensure that. And what shortfall their might be, will be made up by bringing in workers from SEA.

He said there will be two major impacts though. There will be a massive housing labor shortage as workers get sucked out of that industry (both builders & renovators).

And if you think rents are crazy now, wait until the real build starts. He said it’ll be nothing for three blokes to pay $2k rent a week for an old three bedroom post war house in the mid inner suburbs.

He also said that we don’t currently have the facilities to produce the amount of concrete the stadium and other projects will need, and this will have a big impact on housing construction during the Olympic build.

He also said anyone wanting to do a renovation during the later stages of the Olympic build are going to have to pay insane prices.

That's encouraging regarding the Government Olympic venues but it's still only a Government Departments model.
It could turn out to be correct or not. Not so encouraging are likely shortages of materials like concrete

He mentions there won't be a worker shortage as they will get them from housing. By anticipating this you are creating a housing shortage which he mentioned. A worker shortage is a shortage no matter how you look at it.
Next time you talk to your mate ask him if he knows the modeling used to come to that conclusion.
Mention a few of the below especially ask about (B)

Depends on the model the Government are using.
(a) I assume the minimum model used would include all new and existing venues, athletes villages at Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coasts and any regional accommodation. All Bruce Highway costs, new rail link projects that have not started like the new Wave & rail connection. Metro extensions to Brisbane Airport and Belmont rifle range. I am sure there are quite a few i have missed

(b) Have they modeled for SEQ's normal yearly construction/housing build trends without the Olympics. Brisbane is struggling to keep up now. Also, the new hotels/apartments for overseas visitors Liveris says we need to the tune of 32K beds. Plus, the additional accommodation for all workers doing these projects

If they only modeled for (a) then they may get enough workers for Olympic venues. If they have not modeled for the extra public and private construction in (b) that's an issue.

Above is just things i thought of off the top of my head.

As a very rough guide
AI Overview

The number of hotels needed for 32,000 beds depends on the average capacity per hotel, ranging from approximately
64 large hotels to 640 small boutique hotels.

---

 

[Perrip]

Had a read through the BCC meeting minutes of last week after the Paddington Ward Councillor posted about the LNP & ALP Councillors voting against a SVP petition to fulfil the old BCC Vic Park plan.
Schrinner confirmed that all the land within Victoria Park will be transferred from BCC control to the Queensland Government in preparation for the Olympics.

 

[Kernel Kurtz]

One of the most important parts of the olympics is fan/athlete experience, are athletes really going to feel apart of it if they are shipped off to melbourne Sydney or Rockhampton? or fans for that matter

Yeah not ideal, but having said that , do the games have to evolve to stay afloat?
Otherwise , maybe just stick to big cities . They'll probably run out of countries bidding.
Have to bend a little .

Could be a new blueprint , not ideal but could still work for the visitors experience.

 

[Section 5]

Jarrod Bleijie just on channel 7

"If the rowing is not at Rockhampton then there will be no rowing. The IOC won't like that"

Power gone to the LNP's head already. Are they going to overrule the IOC on other matters
I don't think threatening the IOC will work out well for the LNP.

 

[BuntonRules]

Like the winter Olympics, the future is not a city hosts the Olympics, but a country. Go with the times.

 

[Perrip]

Jarrod Bleijie just on channel 7

"If the rowing is not at Rockhampton then there will be no rowing. The IOC won't like that"

Power gone to the LNP's head already. Are they going to overrule the IOC on other matters
I don't think threatening the IOC will work out well for the LNP.

It's expected though. Bleijie and other members of the government aren't going to publicly say they have a backup plan in case the federations reject using the Fitzroy as the Olympics venue. Until the IOC or Federations officially reject or approve the venue, the rowing & canoeing venue remains the Fitzroy and that's what the government is pushing.

Olympic rowing standoff: Council pushes Lawnton site despite Bleijie’s rejection:
Asked if he was threatening to cancel the rowing if the IOC did not agree to host it in Rockhampton, he said he “didn’t say that”.

If Bleijie was serious about calling the bluff of the Federations on not approving the Fitzroy as the Olympics venue, he would've confirmed his government will withdraw rowing/canoeing from the 2032 sports program. But, he didn't.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Some design inspo

Vietnam Will Build the Largest Stadium in the World Called Trong Dong With a Capacity of Over 130,000 People

The construction of what will be the world's largest stadium in terms of spectator capacity has begun, aiming to become a new landmark in the region

www.beinsports.com

 

[Perrip]

Netball sweetener: Rockhampton could lose 2032 Olympic rowing over river fears Jacquelin Magnay
Negotiations behind the scenes during the Milan Cortina Winter Games – where Olympic powerbrokers, IOC officials, international federation executives and Brisbane 2032 organisers are here in force – have looked at moving rowing and canoeing from Rockhampton and relocating them elsewhere in Queensland.

Seems IOC officials are now reconsidering using Sydney as a venue rather than somewhere in SEQ or Rocky.
Shock and oar: It’s Games on in Brisbane Olympics rowing row Jacquelin Magnay

After the LNP government issued a stunning ultimatum to the IOC, threatening to axe rowing from the 2032 Olympics unless it accepts Rockhampton as the venue, Olympic officials are now reconsidering moving the rowing to Sydney as a last gasp option.
...
Despite Mr Bleijie’s threat, the IOC’s position has been long established: that the international federations, in this case World Rowing and the International Canoe Federation, have to sign off on the Olympic venue, and the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton doesn’t meet their requirements.
The Olympic Host contract gives review and approval of the venues to the IOC.
One Olympic official said; “there is a lot of water to flow under the bridge with this one.’’

 

[Grasshopper17]

Some design inspo

View attachment 2526227

Vietnam Will Build the Largest Stadium in the World Called Trong Dong With a Capacity of Over 130,000 People

The construction of what will be the world's largest stadium in terms of spectator capacity has begun, aiming to become a new landmark in the region

www.beinsports.com

This is just blatantly incorrect. That stadium in India that hosted the cricket World Cup Final in 2023 holds 130k or thereabouts.

 

[jimbler]

Some design inspo

Vietnam Will Build the Largest Stadium in the World Called Trong Dong With a Capacity of Over 130,000 People

The construction of what will be the world's largest stadium in terms of spectator capacity has begun, aiming to become a new landmark in the region

www.beinsports.com

That's a big dong

 

[briztoon]

Some design inspo

View attachment 2526227

Vietnam Will Build the Largest Stadium in the World Called Trong Dong With a Capacity of Over 130,000 People

The construction of what will be the world's largest stadium in terms of spectator capacity has begun, aiming to become a new landmark in the region

www.beinsports.com

They are building a whole Olympic sporting complex, at the cost of US$56b. The stadium itself is budgeted at US$13b.

Vietnam has also announced plans to relocate 860,000 residents inside ring road 3, in Hanoi to modernise the city centre and parts of the old district.

And they are planning to build a high speed train track between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, at the cost of US$67b.

They are on a fast track to catch up with Korea & Singapore.

 

[Perrip]

GIICA appear to have entered Brisbane Stadium into the 'Early Works' phase now.

 

[Section 5]

 

[Section 5]

First thing to remember Rocky is now held by the LNP the first time since 2032.
Kurwongbah state seat (includes Lawnton) is held by Labor and reasonably safe with a 11.8% swing needed by the LNP

This proposal from Moreton Bay Council far exceeds legacy capacity compared to Rocky
Not sure who pays for what (Council/Boral partnership) as long as the State pays no more than the Rocky costs.

City of Moreton Bay puts forward Australia’s best new flatwater venue

City of Moreton Bay today unanimously resolved to formally release its Flatwater Rowing Precinct for consideration, as an international standard venue for rowing and paddle sports, at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au

In a unique partnership, Council today also committed to supporting development of the Precinct with Boral who have form delivering significant flatwater infrastructure, including the Penrith Lakes development used for the 2000 Olympics.

“Together, we see the potential for a world class facility based in Queensland that will exceed the current capacity of Penrith as a Category A facility, meets the dire need of our 5,000 SEQ registered rowers, and also supports daily community use, school programs, club competitions and high-performance pathways

“The whole site will be further reimagined to include additional recreation and sporting facilities, an urban koala reserve, pedestrian connections to our 2032 Olympic and Paralympic venue, the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, as well as an exciting new lakeside residential community to alleviate the City’s chronic undersupply of housing.

 

[Perrip]

First thing to remember Rocky is now held by the LNP the first time since 2032.
Kurwongbah state seat (includes Lawnton) is held by Labor and reasonably safe with a 11.8% swing needed by the LNP

This proposal from Moreton Bay Council far exceeds legacy capacity compared to Rocky
Not sure who pays for what (Council/Boral partnership) as long as the State pays no more than the Rocky costs.

I can't see the state government moving rowing/canoeing elsewhere in Queensland if they have to stump up funds for it. Especially if they're going to build something else in Rocky, either for the Olympics or not.

 

[Section 5]

I can't see the state government moving rowing/canoeing elsewhere in Queensland if they have to stump up funds for it. Especially if they're going to build something else in Rocky, either for the Olympics or not.

Not sure why the Government would build something for rowing or anything else in Rocky if the IOC end up not approving the site.
If they have say $50 million set aside for Rocky just don't spend more than $50 million elsewhere

• Final Authority: The Olympic Charter establishes that the IOC can and will intervene if venue conditions do not meet international standards or pose safety risks to athletes.
• Safety Priority: If a venue is deemed unsuitable for elite competition or athlete safety, the IOC can force the host to modify the site or move the event, even to a different country, as part of the contractual obligations for hosting.
• Contractual Control: The host country agrees to abide by the rules of the Olympic Movement, allowing the IOC to move events or dictate site specifications to ensure fair competition.
• Dispute Resolution: Disputes regarding the suitability of venues are typically handled within the Olympic movement's framework, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

 

[qlderlions]

GIICA appear to have entered Brisbane Stadium into the 'Early Works' phase now.
View attachment 2526469

That usually means that they have completed the location trade-offs and have identified an early works package (earthworks for the pad, service relocation, demolition of existing facilities, site construction offices/facilities and laydown areas) for the locked footprint. Likely they will now complete the detailed scope of the early works package for procurement with early works contractors starting in April and Award (Start) by June 30th (fulfilling commitment of Mid-Year commencement).

Note I have no association with Brisbane Stadium and/or GIICA, ARUP Design Team (nor insider knowledge) - just translating the technical terms for the benefit of this group and giving what would be a rough timeline for a job of this size.

 

[Perrip]

GIICA has a procurement ad out for the Delivery Contractor for National Aquatic Centre - Invitation for Prequalification (IFP) on VendorPanel.

• Closes: Wednesday 25 February 2026
• Supplier query cut-off: Friday 20 February 2026
• Expected decision: Wednesday 08 April 2026

We seek to engage suitably qualified entities to submit a prequalification application to design, construct and commission the National Aquatic Centre within the Victoria Park Precinct as part of GIICA’s Authority Games Venues Infrastructure Program.

 

[Section 5]

 

[Perrip]

Jonty Bush MP on Facebook:

BREAKING: the Government have tonight introduced legislation to hand over Victoria Park to GIICA as freehold land. This legislation will be debated and voted on tonight, without a referral to a committee for oversight.

Major Sports Facilities and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 Explanatory Notes

Provide the necessary tenure arrangements for the new Brisbane Stadium and National Aquatic Centre at Victoria Park. These tenure arrangements will cancel the Deed of Grant in Trust, to convert the land tenure of Victoria Park (and other land) to an estate in fee simple to:

• ensure that the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) is able to commence construction works for the Brisbane Stadium and National Aquatic Centre on 1 June 2026 and accordingly deliver the Brisbane Stadium and National Aquatic Centre in time for the Games; and
• facilitate the timely delivery of the Brisbane Stadium and National Aquatic Centre at Victoria Park for the Games.

Bit of info about the Gabba Arena in this new Amendment too:

• Include the Gabba Arena as an Other Venue in the BOPGA Act, to facilitate the timely delivery of the arena to ensure it is available for the Games.