Sixty days to decide whether Queensland gets its $2.7 billion Olympic showpiece
The Queensland premier has not ruled out scrapping a controversial Gabba rebuild ahead of a 2032 Olympic infrastructure review.
Former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk will lead the independent, 60-day assessment set to start on Thursday.
Premier Steven Miles ushered in the review when he took over the reins from Annastacia Palaszczuk last month, saying the 2032 Brisbane Olympics had become ādivisiveā.
The $2.7 billion Gabba reconstruction is set to be top of Mr Quirkās infrastructure evaluation list.
Rivals have called for the rebuild to be scrapped due to its escalating costs after the planās initial $1 billion price tag blew out to almost three times that estimate.
The premier on Thursday confirmed Mr Quirk would lead the review which is set to be completed in March.
Mr Miles said he would accept the reviewās recommendations, even if it meant axing the Gabba rebuild.
You might like
āI have always taken independent advice whenever I have asked for it, thatās precisely what Iāll do here,ā he told ABC TV.
āHe (Mr Quirk) will go in to determine to recommend to me the best possible solution for Queensland and I commit to take his recommendation.ā
Mr Quirk is set to report the reviewās findings to Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace on March 18.
Mr Miles announced in November the Gabba would be completely demolished and reconstructed over four years, ensuring Brisbaneās AFL and cricket had to find a new home.
However a row erupted over a makeshift AFL and cricket venue, with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner refusing to back the state governmentās funding plan for a $137 million RNA Showgrounds revamp.
Other proposed Olympic venues to be assessed by the review include the inner-city $2.5 billion Brisbane Arena set to host the 2032 Olympic swimming program in a drop-in pool.
Stay informed, daily
Mr Miles said he wanted the Brisbane Olympics to deliver āgood value for moneyā.
āI want to also make sure they unite Queenslanders,ā he said.
āIām really concerned that this issue has been becoming more political and divisive than it ever should have.ā
Ms Palaszczuk was the Olympics minister with two others assisting her in the cabinet before her shock resignation.
The Olympics portfolio was axed in a revamped Queensland cabinet under Mr Miles, who said he did not want it to become a distraction ahead of the October 2024 state election.
The Olympics does not appear in any job title in the new ministry under Mr Miles, although Ms Grace will assume responsibility.
āI hope this independent review can give all Queenslanders certainty that we have the right plan for Queensland, the right plan to deliver the best Games ever,ā Mr Miles said.
āBut more importantly ā¦ the right plan to deliver what our state needs and I think really that comes down to transport connectivity.
āThat was the promise of the Games and I want to make sure that delivers.ā
Want to see more stories from InDaily Qld in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily Qld as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily Qld". That's it.
