The Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games are approaching with a mix of promises and concerns for the city’s residents. On one hand, they represent an opportunity to position Brisbane alongside the world’s great cities. On the other, there is a collective fear that Queensland might not rise to the challenge. With just over seven years remaining, Australian leaders are working to dispel all doubts.
Since Brisbane was announced as the host city in 2021, the Queensland government has presented three different plans for Olympic stadiums and facilities. However, none of them have managed to resolve the tension between the need to limit costs and the pressure to avoid falling short compared to cities like Paris or Los Angeles, which have delivered memorable spectacles at their Games.
The state government recently announced a new plan that includes the construction of a main stadium in Victoria Park, with an estimated cost of $2.4 billion and a capacity of 63,000 seats. This project, which breaks a campaign promise by Premier David Crisafulli not to build a new stadium, has sparked criticism and opposition, particularly due to its impact on a culturally significant site for local Indigenous communities.
BROKEN PROMISES AND POLITICAL CHALLENGES
During the 2024 election campaign, Crisafulli promised not to build a stadium in Victoria Park and instead proposed a 100-day review to evaluate venue options. However, the new plan includes not only the stadium in Victoria Park but also a world-class aquatic center in Spring Hill, with a capacity of 25,000 during the Games and 8,000 afterward.
Crisafulli publicly apologized on Monday for breaking his promise: “I have to own that, and I will. It’s my decision, and I accept that decision. In the end, it was a choice between Qsac and a new stadium, and I know which one would have been politically easier for me, but I’ve made the right choice.”
The government also confirmed that the Gabba stadium will be demolished to make way for residential development, while the Brisbane Live Arena project, initially planned to host swimming competitions, will be entirely funded by the private sector.
A $4.5 BILLION BUDGET
The government insists that the Games will be delivered within the existing $4.5 billion budget, although the individual costs of each facility have yet to be disclosed. To meet deadlines, the main stadium must be completed 12 months before the opening ceremony, meaning construction will need to be finished in just four years.
The premier also noted that private sector collaboration will be sought to fund several projects, including the main stadium. “We have received multiple offers from the private sector to build the stadium, with the government providing the land and planning approvals. This makes a lot of sense, not just for taxpayers but also for those who want to see cities become world-class,” Crisafulli said.
AVOIDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The plan to build in Victoria Park has faced strong opposition, including potential legal challenges and criticism from Indigenous leaders who oppose the use of the site, known as Barrambin, due to its cultural significance. Additionally, Brisbane residents have expressed concerns about the environmental impact and the lack of public consultation regarding the type of Games they want.
The International Olympic Committee has been clear in its message: the Games must adapt to the host city, not the other way around. However, the lack of a clear vision from political leaders has delayed planning and created uncertainty about how Brisbane will present itself to the world in 2032.
