Brisbane, the host of the 2032 Olympics is yet to confirm what venues will be used to host events, and may not do so for the next 12 months, after Premier Steven Miles last week ruled out adopting recommendations from a report he commissioned.
Brisbane was awarded the games after their bid was considered highly favourable due to the city’s existing infrastructure, experience in hosting major events, and strong government support.
However, three years after being awarded hosting rights, Queensland has yet to produce a full infrastructure plan for the games.
Complicating matters is predicted change in government. Premier Miles’ Labor government is looking increasingly unlikely to retain its majority after poor results in the Ipswich West and Inala byelections.
Detractors from the states’ Liberal opposition have pounced on the delay, announcing, that if elected in seven months they will appoint an independent infrastructure authority to expedite the plan and finalise locations.
In a contentious decision last week, Premier Miles ruled out adopting the recommendations from the Quirk report for a new Olympic Stadium to be built in Victoria Park, instead choosing to save money with a scaled-down infrastructure plan that will utilise the existing 50,000-seat Suncorp Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies.
A refurbishment of the nearly 50-year-old Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre will also be actioned in readiness for the games’ athletics events, alongside a modernising of The Gabba ground, which is set to host the Olympic debut of cricket. The only new stadium to be built is the $2.5 billion Brisbane Arena which will host the swimming program.
Undoubtedly with one eye on the approaching election, Mr. Miles played to the public’s concerns over cost blowouts saying: “When Queenslanders are struggling with housing and other costs I cannot justify to them spending $3.4 billion on a new stadium.”
“I ordered this review because I had heard from Queenslanders that $2.7 billion at The Gabba was too much. So I know that for Queenslanders $3.4 billion at Victoria Park will be too much. So I am ruling that out.”
IOC ‘Not Concerned’
The IOC’s Coordination Commission chair Kirsty Coventry said they anticipated a “few months to a year” before the infrastructure plan was final, but added the IOC was not concerned by the apparent delay stressing there was still plenty of time to get things right.“There’s really no reason to start panicking at this point.”
Ms Coventry added, “Obviously there will be ... some point that we might start getting a little bit concerned. But when big facilities are being planned, built and delivered there are quite specific timelines so we have quite a bit of confidence in that and won’t be stepping in ...right now or in the foreseeable future.”
Andrew Liveris, president of Brisbane 2032, was equally optimistic after a meeting with Olympic officials and releasing a progress report yesterday, saying he was “pleased that we delivered on our 2023 commitments, including the development of a clear strategy and Games plan. Our Organising Committee is determined to deliver a Games for all to be proud of and benefit from.”
Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said any potential snags would be mitigated by proper organisational structure.
“These are decisions to be made by the communities and when you have the support from the ground up, this is how you ensure you have no further issues down the road.”
However disquiet remains in some quarters, with three high-profile athletes recently expressing concern that the game’s buildup is being tainted by the mismanagement of assets.
On March 19, Olympic champion swimmer and now Triple M Brisbane radio host Liesel Jones said, “I was so confident before about the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. I am so nervous now about what’s going to happen because we can’t agree on anything. We can’t decide on what we’re going to do with The Gabba … I’m so worried about these Games that they’re going to be costing so much more than we even expected.”
On March 27, swimmers Cate Campbell and Ariarne Titmus said organisers would consider the infrastructure legacy of the event, with Ms. Titmus saying the Brisbane sports scene should be left basking in the Olympic afterglow-much like what happened after the Sydney 2000 games.
“Legacy is a word thrown around a lot, a bit of a buzzword with the Olympics, and I feel it’s being thrown around without actually thinking what legacy will be left behind. Young kids of this country, having a home Games, I really hope that’s being put at the forefront of the mind when decisions are being made.”
In the face of the criticism, Mr. Liveris pragmatically tempered fears by saying, “Procurement will start and ground will be turned. You will see activity this year which is very exciting.”
