Fri. May 17th, 2024
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A review of Queensland’s Olympic infrastructure is set to recommend scrapping the $2.7 billion Gabba redevelopment in favour of a more expensive stadium at Victoria Park in Herston, the ABC understands.

Former lord mayor Graham Quirk’s review of Olympic facilities is set to be released publicly on Monday morning.

Steven Miles ordered the review of Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure last December, within days of taking over as premier.

It is understood the report recommends building a new $3.4 billion stadium at Victoria Park. 

Mr Miles announced in January that Mr Quirk would lead the review, amid rising opposition to the Gabba rebuild. 

The premier said then his preference was to “find a better value-for-money outcome”.

The outside of the Gabba stadium with crowds walking to and from.
An artist’s impression of the Gabba from the outside, for the 2032 Olympic Games.(Supplied: Queensland Government)

It is not yet known if the government will accept the Victoria Park recommendation from Mr Quirk, who played a key part in Brisbane’s bid to host the 2032 Olympics.

The $2.7 billion proposal to tear down and rebuild the Gabba stadium has faced fierce opposition from the local community.

‘Good working relationship’

Relations with the Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner also soured when he quit a key games committee, calling it a “pointless talkfest”.

Speaking on Sunday ahead of the review’s release, Mr Miles said he was looking forward to working with the newly re-elected Adrian Schrinner.

“The lord mayor and I have a good working relationship,” he said.

“We don’t agree on everything, but we do agree the Brisbane 2032 games will be the best games ever and we’re determined to do what we need to do to deliver that.”

Mr Schrinner said yesterday he was also ready to move forward.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to press the reset button on the Olympics and the Paralympics to make sure that we can get this process back on track,” Mr Schrinner said.

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