Efforts to gear up for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games have been sluggish, and the situation appears to be further complicated by an upcoming election to elect Queensland’s premier, where differing visions are clashing.
Brisbane secured the hosting rights for the 2032 Olympic Games in July 2021, allowing the city over ten years to get ready. This timeline marked the longest preparation period ever granted to a city for organising a summer Olympics. However, more than three years into this extended timeline, concerns are mounting among critics who argue that not enough progress has been made.
In March, Queensland Premier Steven Miles revealed a plan for Brisbane 2032 infrastructure, confidently stating that “Brisbane will host the greatest Olympic and Paralympic Games in history,” a statement that earned enthusiastic praise from the IOC Coordination Commission.
Nearly 1000 days have passed since Brisbane was chosen to host the 2032 Olympics, but with the Queensland election looming on 26 October, progress might slow as political factions vie for dominance. David Crisafulli, leader of the Liberal National Party, is anticipated to secure victory, potentially ending Labor’s nine-year tenure. If elected, Crisafulli has pledged to conduct a 100-day review of the 2032 infrastructure plans.
Crisafulli has previously criticized some of Labor’s proposed strategies, indicating that further adjustments to the Olympic plans originally crafted under Miles might soon be necessary. Associate Professor Judith Mair from the University of Queensland believes that a decisive plan must be established promptly. “Time is currently on their side, but not for much longer,” Mair stated. “We are approaching the deadline where changes can be made – a decision needs to be reached soon.”
Given the historical financial challenges faced by host cities post-Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) now advocates for cities to enhance existing venues or employ temporary solutions, aiming for a more cost-effective and sustainable event.
Nevertheless, there have been disputes regarding Brisbane’s stadium plans, centring on whether to upgrade facilities such as the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Suncorp Stadium, and the Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as the Gabba, or to construct a new billion-dollar flagship venue in Victoria Park, Brisbane. Under former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, there was a proposal to demolish the ageing Gabba and replace it with a new, purpose-built stadium. However, this idea was abandoned when Miles chose instead to refurbish the QSAC, though he soon faced criticism for what many deemed an inadequate strategy.
The suggestion to update the 40,000-seat QSAC stadium was met with ridicule, with critics arguing it would be humiliating to host athletics events in what would be the smallest Olympic track and field stadium since the 1928 Games.
A thorough review, reportedly disregarded by Miles, criticised the plan as flawed, suggesting that the QSAC would necessitate a $1.6 billion upgrade to meet the required standards as the primary venue for 2032.
Earlier this year, IOC President Thomas Bach was compelled to refute claims that Brisbane was contemplating withdrawing its bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games due to the stadium issues.
The ambiguity extends beyond stadium matters. The Brisbane Metro is another focal point, with plans for 22 new stations in a significant expansion project ahead of the 2032 games. Crisafulli’s 100-day review aims to push this further north to Maroochydore, though the government declared it unfeasible, showcasing more disagreement.
Whoever wins the election on 26 October will face time constraints to advance preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, given the considerable delay despite an early start.
