The Gabba stadium in the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
The Qld Government is now gauging private sector interest in revamping Woolloongabba after the 2032 Olympic Games.
The government is already looking long-term for the former GoPrint site and Gabba stadium even as it builds for the Games.
On more than nine hectares of inner-city land just 2km from Brisbane’s CBD, the combined sites are close to public transport like the South-East Busway and a Cross River rail station.
The Cross River project involves 10.2km of new rail lines with 5.9 km of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and CBD with four new underground stations at Boggo Rd, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street stations, and an upgraded Exhibition station.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie claims the legacy will endure well beyond the games. Previous Olympic host cities have struggled to make use of purpose-built facilities post-games.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to capitalise on the 2032 Games and transform Woolloongabba into a vibrant entertainment and housing precinct in the heart of our capital city,” he says.
He describes the impact of development of the sites as “generational”, opening the door to more investment and events like sports. Australian football (Brisbane Lions) and cricket (state and national) are two major sports codes that call the Gabba home.
“We are inviting industry experts to help shape this project while ensuring we deliver the transport and community infrastructure,” Bleijie says.
“The site is surrounded by key transport infrastructure that is ideal for an urban renewal precinct of this size and scale.”
Under the government’s 2032 Delivery Plan for the Games, bus and train fleets will expand as will bus depots, upgrade pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, create bike and e-mobility parking, and boost the tax fleet.
The next stage of the process, government says, will be to invite the private sector to submit proposals.
Businesses wanting to register their details can visit www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/gabba-entertainment-precinct.
