The Queensland premier has flagged the cost of redeveloping the Gabba for the 2032 Games could increase beyond the proposed $1 billion price tag.
Key points:
- The Queensland government had originally proposed a $1 billion redevelopment of the Gabba for the 2032 Olympics based on cost estimates at the time
- The Premier has acknowledged there has been an increase of supply and material shortages
- Ms Palaszczuk said the final costings would be made public
It comes after Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was comfortable with plans for both the Gabba and Brisbane Live after concerns were raised last week additional construction was needed to allow the venues to be built for the 2032 Olympics.
Speaking at a media conference yesterday Ms Palaszczuk said there would be a business case for the Gabba redevelopment, with the government “working through all those issues at the moment”.
When asked how the government had determined the redevelopment would cost $1 billion, Ms Palaszczuk said it was based on cost estimates at the time.
“Of course now we understand that there’s been a lot of increase in … shortages of supply and materials, they’re worldwide issues,” she said.
When the premier was asked if she anticipated the redevelopment would cost more than $1 billion, she said they do not have the final costs yet.
“But of course we’ll absolutely reveal those to the public,” she said.
Speculation about the size of the Gabba redevelopment has increased in recent weeks with concerns the planned upgrades will impact the local road network including Vulture and Stanley Streets, key thoroughfares through Woolloongabba.
Last week, it was reported a proposal to tunnel under the streets had been put forward but that would significantly increase the $1 billion cost of the Gabba redevelopment.
Meanwhile, the question of East Brisbane State School’s future remains unanswered. The heritage school tucked under the shadow of the Gabba stadium will have to be relocated to make way for the stadium expansion.
At parliamentary estimates hearings last week, ministers were grilled on plans for the school’s future.
Education Minister Grace Grace admitted there are still no concrete plans for the school, as the Gabba redevelopment is in such early stages of planning.
“We do not know the footprint. We do not know the design. We have a schematic sketch,” Ms Grace.
“We are still stabbing in the dark. It is still 10 years away, but I recognize that the stadium probably needs to build for the future,” she said.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles told estimates that the education department “has been undertaking long-term planning for the East Brisbane State School and the surrounding primary school network”.
The proposal also involves a 50-50 spending split with the Commonwealth and Queensland government.
“We’ve got an infrastructure spend from the Commonwealth and state but let me say very clearly that what we signed up to with the International Olympic Committee — we will be delivering,” Ms Palaszczuk said yesterday.
The Brisbane Times reported in July the Australian government was still considering the Queensland government’s proposed package for transport and infrastructure projects to support the Games.
On Monday Ms Palaszczuk said the Commonwealth and State have “agreed with the infrastructure spend”.
“A lot of our infrastructure spending, over $50 billion over four years is actually already factored in when you’re talking about transport, Cross River Rail, Road upgrades,” she said.
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