The blueprints for the highly anticipated 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been revealed by the Queensland government.
The Games will extend beyond Brisbane and have been labelled as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the state.
What has been announced?
Victoria Park will be home to the main stadium, which will become capable of hosting sporting and major entertainment events.
Meanwhile, the swimming is set to be transformed with the development of a national aquatics centre, featuring more than 25,000 seats.
The centre will be located at Spring Hill’s Centenary Pool.
“A number of Olympic and Paralympic sports will move their headquarters to Brisbane permanently, creating a world-class legacy that will serve these sports for decades to come,” Crisafulli said.
“It will be constructed at Centenary Pool, and that has the backing of Diving, Artistic Swimming, Water Polo, and Swimming Australia.”
The Brisbane Showgrounds will be upgraded to include a 20,000-seat venue and will also house the Brisbane Athlete Village.
The Queensland Tennis Centre will also undergo a transformation, which will include a new 3000-seat show court arena along with 12 new match courts.
“Melbourne will not be taking the tennis from Brisbane — not on our watch,” Crisafulli said.
The 2032 Olympics appear to be much more than just Brisbane, with the government planning to hold events in neighbouring regions on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
The Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre will be the hub for mountain biking and nature-based recreational activities, while a whitewater centre will be established in Redland.
The Gold Coast will feature an athlete village and will also host hockey, along with the triathlon.
“We’ve mapped out a plan to deliver not just the Games but generational infrastructure for every part of Queensland,” Crisafulli said.
“There will be elements people disagree with but we have a plan now and we can go forth and deliver it for the budget that has been set.
“We can deliver once in a generation opportunity to build a better Queensland.”
Election promise broken
Nearly four years since Brisbane secured the rights and the premier admitted there was “no longer time” to upgrade the Gabba.
Crisafulli confirmed he had to break his election promise of “no new stadium”.
He said he was ready to face the political heat following this decision.
“I am and I am sorry about it,” he said.
“It came down to a choice, a choice between the embarrassment of hosting the Games in QSAC or a new stadium at Victoria Park,” he said.
“Any other choice would have meant placing the government’s political interests ahead of the interests of Queenslanders.”
A raft of transport and infrastructure announcements were also made, including “The Wave,” a new public transport link connecting Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.