RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Looking forward to the ' Quirk Review ' outcomes next week

Wow, Victoria Park it is, with a new state of the art stadium 😃

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This is a good recommendation and outcome as well, having a new pedestrian bridge 

QuoteSUNCORP STADIUM

No upgrade is recommended, but a new bridge from Roma Street Parklands over Countess St to the top of Caxton St would better connect it to the city.

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They may build the new Western track overpass or underpass linking the platforms at Roma Street to increase capacity. Hopefully with by directional escalators similar to what they have done at North Melbourne station.

QuoteROMA STREET STATION

That the arena not be built here, due to cost constraints, but a new pathway be constructed to link the station to the new arena site, 500m away to the north.

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They might build an event station at Normanby or around the tunnel portal. I went past there the other day it's now six tracks abreast.


The Brisbane Metro buses certainly wouldn't be able to cope. Walking from  Roma Street or the Ekka station is a bit of an ask really.

Couriermail --> Bombshell Olympics review: Gabba scrapped for $3.4bn 'world class' stadium $

QuoteA "world class" $3.4bn stadium should be built in inner-Brisbane's Victoria Park as the centrepiece of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in place of the controversial proposed Gabba rebuild, the government has been told.

Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's bombshell Games venues review also recommends a new $2.5bn 15,000-plus seat indoor arena be constructed at Roma Street Parkland, adjacent to the Normanby fiveways.

It rejects the proposal from International Olympics Committee vice-president John Coates for the athletics to be run at Nathan, the site of the 1982 Commonwealth Games as not representing value for money or legacy.

And it reveals the real cost of the Gabba redevelopment – with the displacement costs for AFL and cricket – would have been up to $3.4bn, $700m more than had been claimed by the State Government. ...

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:

VICTORIA PARK

A new $3bn-$3.4bn 50,000-seat stadium be built here, on a site to be determined, to host Olympics and Paralympics track and field events – and AFL, cricket and concerts into the future.

ROMA STREET PARKLAND

A new $2.5bn 15,000-plus seat indoor arena be built on an existing carpark and maintenance depot at the northwestern corner of the parklands.

ROMA STREET STATION

That the arena not be built here, due to cost constraints, but a new pathway be constructed to link the station to the new arena site, 500m away to the north.

SUNCORP STADIUM

No upgrade is recommended, but a new bridge from Roma Street Parklands over Countess St to the top of Caxton St would better connect it to the city.

THE GABBA

The stadium be maintained to a minimum standard until the new Victoria Park stadium is constructed, after which the Gabba would be demolished and the site "repurposed".

QUEENSLAND SPORTS AND ATHLETICS CENTRE, NATHAN

Not to be used as an Olympic and Paralympic Games venue to host the track and field events.

ALBION PARK RACEWAY

The government does not proceed with building an indoor sports centre at this site.

BOONDALL/ZILLMERE

A new indoor sports centre to be built here to service Brisbane's northern suburbs.

SLEEMAN SPORTS CENTRE, CHANDLER

Proceed with building a new indoor sports centre here, as well as expand the site and upgrade existing facilities.

REDLAND WHITEWATER CENTRE, BIRKDALE

Proceed with the project as scoped, and scrap the consideration of Penrith in NSW as alternative option.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

# Proceed with the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre project, but increase its size.

# Continue with planning and delivery of the Logan Indoor Sports Centre.

# Progress the investment decision for the Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre.

# Proceed with the Wyaralong Flatwater Centre near Boonah as a competition venue.

# Progress the investment decision for the Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade.

# Continue with the Barlow Park project in Cairns as scoped.

# Do not proceed with the Toowoomba Sports Ground project.

# Continue with the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre upgrade as scoped.

# Consider what works are needed to ensure the Queensland Tennis Centre is fit for purpose.

I had been informed that the recommendation would be NOT to build over Roma St due the cost and disruption to rail services.  Glad that common-sense won out on this. This is a sensible outcome.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/brisbane-olympics-and-paralympics-2032/bombshell-olympics-review-gabba-scrapped-for-34bn-world-class-stadium/news-story/e86fdce29bcd9463e93a305c619b63d7

Quote... The review said the "superior site" for the Brisbane Arena would be over the new Cross River Rail station at Roma Street, but that option was both cost-prohibitive – at $4bn – and would mean 40 per cent of all train services would have to be replaced by buses for more than two years during construction.

Instead, the review recommends Brisbane Arena be built 500m north to the corner of the Roma Street Parkland bounded by College Road and Countess Street that is currently a carpark and council maintenance depot. ...

 

Couriermail --> Editor's view: Games venues review a leadership test $

QuoteIf Premier Steven Miles and his LNP opponent David Crisafulli truly believe in doing their best for Queensland, then their first phone call today should be to each other – to negotiate an Olympic truce over the venues for the 2032 Games so that state cabinet can today sign off on all of what former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk's excellent review has recommended.

Sadly, the results of Saturday's two by-elections show the October state election will be a ding-dong battle – and so the leaders will be tempted to put short-term politics over the best long-term outcome for the state. That is an epic shame. ...

Brisbanetimes --> The 48 hours that will see a political reset and an Olympic restart $

QuoteIn the tourist brochures, Queensland is beautiful one day, perfect the next.

In Queensland politics, those 48 hours can see the season change and the outlook suddenly become unpredictable. If Premier Steven Miles thought the byelection results on Saturday night were tough, wait until he deals with the long-awaited Olympics review on Monday.

The independent review that Miles commissioned, and gave former Liberal lord mayor Graham Quirk responsibility to deliver, will seemingly swap one politically tricky mega-project for another. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1769417172907159952?s=20

Facebook ...

ABC News: Olympic review calls for Gabba rebuild to be scrapped for 'marginally more expensive' stadium at Victoria Park

QuoteThe plan to rebuild the Gabba is now likely to cost $3 billion and should be scrapped in favour of a new, "marginally more expensive" stadium at Victoria Park, an independent review of Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure has found.

Former lord mayor Graham Quirk's 60-day review said a "greenfield" stadium at Victoria Park — with up to 55,000 seats — would likely cost between $3 billion and $3.4 billion, but "provides an opportunity to deliver the best outcome".

"The Gabba rebuild, costed on a comparable basis, is likely to now cost around $3 billion (plus $185-$360 million in displacement costs for AFL and cricket)," the report said.

"The cost of a stadium in Victoria Park ($3-$3.4 billion) is likely to be marginally more expensive than the full Gabba rebuild (more than $3 billion) with better operational efficiencies and outcomes that would deliver a true international standard venue, enabling Brisbane to compete with other top stadiums in Australia and generate [an] additional premium seating revenue. ...

... Other recommendations include that the Brisbane Arena not proceed at the Roma Street over-rail site and instead be built on the car park and maintenance depot development site north of the Roma Street Parklands. ...

Well, well.  Review outcomes leaked to media before consideration by Cabinet today.

All outlets seem to be on it, so is it a deliberate strategy to lock in the Government?

Time will tell.

No changes on the web page:

Independent Review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Venue Infrastructure
https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/industry/brisbane-2032

What do you think of the review recommendations as far as we know?

Definitely not building over Roma St station itself is a smart move.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-news-live-labor-losing-votes-left-and-right-brisbane-s-significant-next-48-hours-20240317-p5fd35.html

QuoteBuilding the Brisbane Arena where planned would disrupt public transport

The Brisbane Arena, an events centre due to host the Games swimming and other major drawcards after that, is in a tricky spot.

According to the review panel, building the centre above rail lines at Roma Street would cost more than the $2.5 billion the federal government has set aside for the project. It will probably end up costing "in excess of $4 billion" – more than even the Gabba rebuild.

Not only that, its construction would cause public transport disruptions.

"The panel was advised that 40 per cent of rail services passing through Roma Street Station would have to close for more than two years," the government has been told.

"It is calculated that around 200 additional buses, not included in the current $2.5 billion budget, would be required to provide a rail replacement service along with the construction of temporary bus set down bays."

However, the review panel has identified a better site nearby.

The review recommends Brisbane Arena be built 500m north to the corner of the Roma Street Parkland bounded by College Road and Countess Street that is currently a carpark and council maintenance depot.

https://x.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1769471544902697008?s=20

Could have been leaked to gauge public reception before committing to anything.

Victoria Park will draw more ire from Greens supporters than the Gabba rebuild did. Aside from already having spent money on the redevelopment, the loss of green space will be a big turn-off for many.

LNP supporters will be angry at the prospect of the Gabba being demolished. It would likely be redeveloped into "green space" and apartments (<1% of total area will be green).

Interestingly, the Birkdale whitewater facility is set to stay. Given the new Redlands mayor's opposition, this will also see a lot of community backlash.

If we're looking at this whole thing as a 30-50 year legacy, it's a solid plan. At this stage though, I'm ready to agree to just about anything, just sign it off and set the tradies to work, we are running out of time. If we wait much longer, you'll be getting the engineers and planners on the tools to finish the job.

Courtesy of Brisbanetimes ...

Sport Venue Review
Independent Review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic
and Paralympic Venue Infrastructure

> https://www.smh.com.au/interactive/hub/media/tearout-excerpt/26406/Sport-Venue-Review---FINAL.pdf

Brisbanetimes --> $2.6 billion: The cost of gaining nothing from the Olympic Games $

QuoteThe cost of a new stadium at Victoria Park has been estimated at $3.4 billion, but the cheapest option for a Brisbane Olympic stadium presented to the Queensland government was just $800 million less – and the city would effectively gain nothing from it.

That option was to spend $1.6 billion preparing the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre at Nathan for Olympic competition, using temporary stands to create a 40,000-seat stadium – the smallest in recent Olympic history – and leaving just 14,000 seats post-Games.

But if Brisbane was to retain an oval stadium for cricket and AFL, another $1 billion would need to be spent simply to bring it up to code if it were to remain operational beyond 2032. ...

This is really a bit odd.  Media outlet publishes the Review, holus bolus!

Great comment towards the end of the document.

QuoteGovernments often have many different competing interests and objectives - not all of them
are economic and not all can be assigned a monetary value required to develop a Beneift
Cost Ratio. The Benefit Cost Ratio is a helpful tool for comparing like projects which meet
similar objectives (site or project option comparisons) but is not useful or intended to
compare different types of projects such as comparing an Arena with a road or hospital.

The Review is now available at https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/industry/brisbane-2032

View the Sports Venue Review final report (PDF 2.6 MB) for full details of the findings.

Suspect the Gabba Metro Stop is dead as a doornail now!!

^
Good point.

They're definitely going to need a station at Spring Hill on CRR now, and that'll probably cost a similar amount.

Love this quote about Chandler

QuoteThe biggest challenge for the Sleeman Sports Complex is the signiKcant number of sports,
spectators and sessions that will be accommodated during the Games. This currently
includes gymnastics, track cycling, BMX racing and the aquatic sports of water polo, artistic
swimming and diving. This intensity of multiple sports hosting multiple sessions a day may
create transport and crowd flow issues.
The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee may wish to consider replacing the gymnastics
competition at the venue with lower capacity sport(s) (i.e. capacity up to 7,000) to improve
the spectator experience and better manage Games related activities occurring within the
Sleeman Sports Complex

Tell me public transport suck without saying your public transport sucks.

https://x.com/CameronAtfield/status/1769580598795145684?s=20

Brisbanetimes --> Miles rejects Victoria Park stadium plan, dusts off Commonwealth Games venue instead $

QuoteThe Miles government has sensationally rejected the signature recommendation of the Quirk review into Olympic venues, instead choosing a $1.6 billion refurbishment of the old QEII Stadium at Nathan, which would save taxpayers money but leave a lasting legacy of just 14,000 seats.

Former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk led a 60-day review into Olympic venues, commissioned after former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's planned $2.7 billion Gabba rebuild received significant public opposition. ...

Is he trying to lose in October? 

Dumb.

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/miles-rejects-victoria-park-stadium-plan-dusts-off-commonwealth-games-venue-instead-20240318-p5fd9x.html

"  ... When he Miles) announced Quirk would lead the review in January, Miles said he hoped everybody would accept its outcome.  ..."

I thought it was bit strange how the media had the review and started touting it before Cabinet had considered it.

All is not well in Big Willy!!  There is more to this than meets the eye ...

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99913

New direction for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games sports venues has community sport at its heart

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier
The Honourable Steven Miles

Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing
The Honourable Grace Grace

. Miles Government accepts 27 of 30 recommendations from the independent Sport Venue Review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

. Go ahead for new Brisbane Arena in a different location at Roma St precinct.

. Upgrades planned for the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium, subject to due diligence and consultation with games partners.

. Exploring legacy transport opportunities to link QSAC, QEII hospital, and Griffith University with connected precincts in the city.

. Proposed new stadium for Victoria Park ruled out.

. Gabba rebuild will not proceed.

The Miles Government will accept almost all the recommendations made as part of the Review into Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue infrastructure.

The 60-day Sport Venue Review of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue infrastructure was completed by an independent panel led by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

The final report was provided to the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace on Friday afternoon (15 March).

More than 900 submissions were received during the Review, while the panel held 130 meetings with stakeholders, assessed numerous studies, and conducted 28 site visits.

The findings have identified new opportunities to deliver value-for-money for Queenslanders, while supporting the government's legacy vision. At its core, the government's response prioritises community benefit while ensuring costs remain within the agreed funding envelope of $7.1 billion to be shared between the State and Commonwealth governments.

The Government will now explore upgrades to QSAC and Suncorp Stadium while continuing to deliver the new state-of-the-art Brisbane Arena, securing benefits for more than 30 sporting facilities across Queensland, and exploring exciting opportunities for new transport connections in Brisbane as part of a revamped plan to enhance community legacy.

The new Brisbane Arena is a much-needed piece of community infrastructure which will have multiple legacy uses for decades to come. It will feature within a connected precinct where accessibility and walkability will be a key feature to its position among the city's cultural and entertainment centres.

Suncorp Stadium and QSAC are the two most highly used venues in Queensland, with QSAC hosting nearly 782,000 visits in 2022-23. More than 527,000 visits were community sporting groups and schools, with another 167,000 visits from training and aspiring athletes. This compares to community visits of less than 20,000 at the Gabba, and around 4,000 athlete visits. Any upgrades to QSAC will further broaden community access.

Investment at QSAC would also provide the opportunity to explore expanded transport links servicing not only the stadium but also Griffith University, the health precinct at QEII hospital, and the growing communities on the southside of Brisbane to provide additional legacy benefits.

The Moreton Bay community is also one of the winners, with their new Indoor Sports Centre being investigated for an expansion.

The Breakfast Creek Indoor Sports Precinct at Albion will not proceed with the panel recommending an indoor sports centre be located in Zillmere or Boondall instead. The proposed upgrades to the Toowoomba Sports Ground will not proceed, but opportunities to host other Games events in the region will be explored.

The Government will move quickly to complete due diligence on venues in the coming months, followed by construction. Around half of these venues are outside of Brisbane, providing an economic and jobs boost during construction and beyond.

The Review panel recommended a brand new multi-billion dollar stadium at Victoria Park. However, as the reviewers noted, significantly more work is required to understand the opportunity and before these preliminary findings can be relied upon.

The Government does not believe it would be possible to deliver any new stadium at Victoria Park within the existing agreed funding, and the IOC has noted that a new stadium for the Olympic and Paralympic Games sits outside the "new norm" of using existing or already planned venues.

The Government is therefore ruling out a stadium at Victoria Park, instead favouring investigating upgrades to QSAC and Suncorp.

The previously proposed re-build of the Gabba will not proceed, instead replaced with a more modest enhancement of the existing facility in consultation with AFL, Cricket Australia, and other stakeholders. Those sports will no longer be displaced from the Gabba, and East Brisbane State School will not need to vacate its current site by the end of 2025. However future works to the Gabba are expected to impact the school, and the government will work closely with the school community as those plans develop.

Any change of sports venue requires consultation with Games Delivery Partners, including the Australian Government, and final games approval from the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Delivery of the sports venue program will be the work of the Independent Delivery Authority when it is established mid-2024.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

"This Review was one of my very first acts as Premier of Queensland and was driven by what Queenslanders told me was important to them – bang for buck and a lasting legacy.

"No one wants to see money spent on facilities that are only needed for four weeks.

"Instead, this new direction will deliver decades of benefit to local schools, community athletics programs and Olympic and Paralympic athletes in 2032 and beyond.

"I want to thank Graham, Ken and Michelle for taking on this challenge and for their dedicated work over the last 60 days.

"My government will accept 90 per cent of the recommendations made, for the benefit of Queenslanders right around the state.

"One of their recommendations would have meant the demise of the Gabba, which is something we couldn't accept for such a beloved venue.

"And while the concept of a new stadium at Victoria Park has merit, the uncertainty around final cost means it is unfortunately not an option.

"2032 is one of the greatest opportunities to put Brisbane and Queensland on the map and leave a legacy for generations to come."

Quotes attributable to Minister Grace Grace:

"I want to place on record my thanks to Graham, Ken, and Michelle for the work they have done on such an important issue.

"I also want to thank all those who took the time to make a submission. Over 900 submissions were carefully reviewed, and informed the report and our response to it.

"The Miles Government now has a clear new approach, and we will be consulting closely with our delivery partners in the Commonwealth Government, the IOC, and the IPC to do our due diligence on QSAC and Suncorp and progress as quickly as possible.

"Victoria Park is highly-valued by the community, and we have no plans to spend billions of dollars to encroach into that green space.

"With the Review completed, we'll be wasting no time with getting on with the job with a range of venues proceeding through to the next stage of delivery.

"Venues at the Sunshine Coast – the Indoor Sports Centre, Stadium Upgrade and Mountain Bike Facility, as well as the Chandler precinct projects can now progress to procurement with others following soon after."

Quotes attributable to IOC Vice President John Coates:

"Athletics Australia will be very pleased that with a QSAC upgrade, Queensland and Australian athletics will be left with a legacy venue for the development of the sport in Queensland.

"Sydney 2000 left a competition and warm-up track legacy for athletics, a legacy missing from the London, Rio, and Tokyo Games.

"The IOC will make available its Games construction experts to advise in respect of the potential upgrades to QSAC, including specifically whether the full $1 billion of suggested upgrades are needed."

Quotes attributable to Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris:

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games must fit the region, not the region fit the Games, and we will use the venues and infrastructure made available to us.

"We acknowledge the Queensland Government's actions in accepting the majority of the independent review's recommendations and urge due diligence across venues and infrastructure to be completed quickly and in consultation with stakeholders.

"Time and cost estimates are of the essence and progress must move swiftly.

"Once decisions are finalised, we will work with the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee to refine our Venue Master Plan and Sport Program, in line with our Olympic Host Contract commitments."

^ from statement above