Latest news with #BrisbaneOlympics2032
Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Sport Minister's grim 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games warning
Don't miss out on the headlines from Brisbane Olympics 2032. Followed categories will be added to My News. Queensland cannot be guaranteed all 2032 Games events will be held in the Sunshine State despite the desire of the state government and event organisers, the Federal Sports Minister has warned. The Crisafulli government has vocally touted 2032 as the Queensland games despite ongoing concerns Rockhampton's Fitzroy River will not be approved as a Games venue. Brisbane 2032 are in discussions with World Rowing and the International Canoe Federation regarding a technical visit to Rockhampton in the coming months. Anika Wells, speaking in Brisbane alongside state Sports Minister Tim Mander on Thursday, warned decisions about Games venues could ultimately be made outside of governments. 'Obviously, the Queensland Government has indicated their strong preference that all events be contested within the state,' she said. 'But it isn't just up to Tim (Mander), or I, or even Brisbane 2032 (Organising Committee), it is also very much a question for the International Federations to advise us on what they will accept.' Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells. Ms Wells said there was precedent for events to be held outside host cities and regions after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this month cast doubt over the 2032 venue plan by suggesting Melbourne could still host tennis and rowing be relocated to Penrith. For Sydney 2000, soccer matches were held at the Gabba and the MCG, while for Paris 2024, surfing was held in Tahiti. Ms Wells said value for money must be considered. 'I don't think anyone would challenge my passion for being a Queenslander, but as the Australian Sports Minister, I am elected and charged with the responsibility of making sure that all Australian taxpayers feel … that they have a place in the Brisbane 2032 Games., ' she said. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie reaffirmed the state government's promise to hold rowing on the Fitzroy River. 'Rowing will absolutely be in Rockhampton on the mighty Fitzroy River,' he said. 'And as I've said for many occasions now, including to the IOC, I might add, if it is okay for a teenager from Rocky to row the mighty Fitzroy River on the weekend, so too, is it okay for Pierre from Paris.' Mr Bleijie remained confident that all regional competition venues would remain as set out in the 2032 delivery plan. An artist impression of Brisbane Stadium in Victoria Park for Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Source: Queensland Government. Mr Mander and Ms Wells said discussions over a new 2032 intergovernmental agreement, including the use of $2.5bn previously allocated to the Brisbane Arena, would be finalised 'soon'. 'We understand that people want to see us get on with this,' Ms Wells said. 'We understand that people want to see work advance as quickly as possible.' Mr Mander said conversations were also ongoing with Athletics Australia, soccer and gymnastics officials whose sports were not given permanent new venues in the 2032 Delivery Plan. 'I'm very confident we'll have legacy infrastructure for all those sports,' he said. 'I'm just asking people to be just a little bit more patient as we work through this. 'There's a lot of decisions to be made, but I can guarantee you that there'll be legacy in those sports.' Mr Mander said he guaranteed Queenslanders 'won't be paying more than $7.1 billion' between the state and federal governments for 2032 infrastructure.
7NEWS
03-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Brisbane's biggest park on the chopping block: 63,000-seat Olympic stadium to take over Victoria Park
Once promised as the city's major new green space, Brisbane's Victoria Park is now set to lose the majority of its land to Olympic stadium construction, new research reveals. Premier David Crisafulli in March announced plans to build a new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He said the decision was made after a review of infrastructure options, revealing major works at the Gabba could not be completed in time, and emphasised hosting the Games at Victoria Park was the best choice for Queensland' s interests. The new stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as athletics events — becoming the centerpiece of the Games. Post-Games, it is expected to serve as Brisbane's new home for cricket and AFL. Concerns have been raised about the loss of green space, heritage values, and the adequacy of infrastructure to support the new stadium. Critics argue the development will significantly impact the 64ha park, with some estimates suggesting at least 58 per cent of the park will be affected. A preliminary analysis by sustainable development researcher Dr Neil Peach, commissioned by advocacy group Save Victoria Park, paints a stark picture of the impact of the Brisbane Olympics 2032. He used government-issued visuals of the proposed stadium overlaid with Perth's Optus Stadium — a 60,000-seat, 14-storey venue similar in size to that planned for Brisbane. 'This is an extremely hilly, challenging landscape, in a high-traffic area next to Queensland's largest hospital — you can't simply plonk mega venues here,' Save Victoria Park spokesperson Rosemary O'Hagan said. She criticised the government's promotional images as 'nothing more than architectural artifice' and demanded clarity on how much public land will be lost and the true cost of the project. 'Where are the sprawling plazas, the bridges, the towering retaining walls, and the extensive amenities that will be required to cope with tens of thousands of people at a time?' O'Hagan said. 'Where are the multiple carparks and connections to roads and train stations that have been promised?' Crisafulli stated the choice to host the games in the park was clear: 'It became a choice between the embarrassment of hosting the Games at QSAC (Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre) or a new stadium at Victoria Park. 'The Games must be held at a new stadium at Victoria Park. 'Any other choice would have meant placing the government's interests ahead of the interests of Queensland.' Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner had sought to ease concerns about green space loss after Crisafulli's announcement in March. 'The construction elements that are proposed, including the stadium and the swimming complex, will only take up a fraction of the green space,' Schrinner said. He described the stadium as a 'world-class sporting venue' and 'an asset for Brisbane for decades to come'. Meanwhile, community group Save Victoria Park has fiercely opposed the development, warning of irreversible damage to Brisbane's green heart. 'There are — and always have been — other viable options: flat, less challenging sites not listed on Queensland's Heritage Register,' O'Hagan said. Despite official assurances, critics argue the government has yet to fully disclose the true scale of parkland loss or offer a clear plan for preserving Brisbane's largest inner-city green space.
