100-Day Review of Brisbane Olympics Plan and Infrastructure

[Victorian]

Gold Coast's Hinze Dam being considered for rowing (transport is an issue - govt themselves are aware of this)

https://www.9now.com.au/9news-latest-news/season-2025/clip-cm71lqvog00040hnrfl8lj54d

[AustralianFan]

23 days to go

Report handover of  GIICA 100-Day Review

[AustralianFan]

Sunshine Coast “Horizon Centre”:  Entertainment Venue, Hotel and Athletes Village

Another submission to the 100-Day Review has been released re a billion dollar proposal by the Walker Corporation for a 7,000 seat entertanment venue, a five-star hotel and an Athletes Village in the Horizon Centre development at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.

13 February 2025:  A major developer that capitalised on the 2000 Sydney Olympics has put forward a billion-dollar proposal to build an athlete’s arena on the Sunshine Coast. 

In what will be the fifth 2032 proposal for the Sunshine Coast, the Walker Corporation has put forward a submission for a 7000-seat entertainment venue in Maroochydore with a five-star hotel and athlete’s village. 

The Horizon Centre, which Walker Corporation would be paid through a commercial partnership, could house 1400 athletes and is promised to be “realised on time and on budget”.

Walker Corporation executive Peter Saba said a public-private partnership (PPP) would be pursued with top construction company Built, and leading architect Woods Bagot for the multi-use precinct.

“The PPP model provides the certainty needed to deliver the Sunshine Coast the multi-use arts, music, convention, entertainment and exhibition centre the region has been in desperate need of for decades, while ultimately giving the Coast a world-class venue to host more Olympic competition or heats action,” he said.

Walker Corporation claim a public-private partnership can ensure the project in Maroochydore was delivered on time and on budget, ready for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

The proposal has been touted as a significant legacy project for the Sunshine Coast, with the Horizon Centre to integrate a mixed public and active transport system.

The Walker Corporation has an extensive development resume including transforming the contaminated Sydney Rhodes Peninsula after the 2000 Sydney Games.

They were also involved in the developments of Sydney’s King Street Wharf, the Gold Coast’s Hope Island Resort, and Melbourne’s $3.5bn Collins Square precinct. 

Walker Corporation chief executive David Gallant described the project as a “powerful Brisbane 2032 legacy.” 

“The Horizon Centre has always been central to the Maroochydore City Centre vision to create a landmark economic and social hub which drives growth,” Mr Gallant said.

Built and Woods Bagot are currently delivering the $450m Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre together in Victoria.

Woods Bagot chief executive Sarah Kay said the company had the international experience to create what she predicted to be a “premium architectural icon” for the Sunshine Coast.

“The Horizon Centre will be a premium architectural icon for the Sunshine Coast seamlessly integrating the arena with a multi-modal transport network, providing a secure athletes village, and carefully blending open space, landscaping and community into a cohesive outdoor environment,” Ms Kay said.

The Horizon Centre will also feature dedicated carparks, and large open space areas for athletes to recover between competition events during the Games.

Built chairman Marco Rossi said the precinct would be a world-class sustainable event space.

“We are excited to leverage our global experience to create this architectural landmark for Maroochydore that will be a sustainable, world-class events space, while also providing critical social and employment outcomes,” Mr Rossi said.

Their proposition forms a submission to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) as part of the state government’s 100-day review, which is due to be returned to the government by March 8.

Other Sunshine Coast venues that will be reviewed by GIICA are the Kawana Precinct and Indoor Sports Centre, Alexandra Headland, the Mountain Bike Centre at Parklands, and the Sunshine Coast Athlete Village in Maroochydore.

Credit:  Courier Mail - Developer’s billion-dollar pitch for game-changing Olympics ‘icon’

[AustralianFan]

14 hours ago, Victorian said:

Gold Coast's Hinze Dam being considered for rowing (transport is an issue - govt themselves are aware of this)

https://www.9now.com.au/9news-latest-news/season-2025/clip-cm71lqvog00040hnrfl8lj54d

I think that the Review will stick with Wyralong as the 2032 flatwater rowing venue because the Queensland State Rowing Centres is based there.  Hinze Dam is, according to chit chat on skyscrapercity.com, very under-developed.

[AustralianFan]

Let’s not forget too it’s not a “Stadium 100-Day Review”.   We tend sometimes to focus only on the Olympic Stadium.

In fact it’s a 100-Day Games Review << click for terms of reference.

GIICA is reviewing the entire Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Plan and infrastructure.

Objectives
The primary objectives of this 100-day Games Review are to:

• Assess infrastructure demand alignment: confirm that infrastructure projects are strategically chosen based on demand, ensuring they are located in the right places to meet the needs of the Games and support Queensland's long-term legacy outcomes.
• Assess connectivity and integration: evaluate the interconnectivity of venues, transport systems, athlete’s villages and precincts within the infrastructure network including the need to facilitate access during the Games and promote long-term mobility solutions.
• Evaluate affordability: examine all proposed infrastructure investments for their economic viability and value for money. This includes ensuring investments within the venues program remain within the agreed $7.1 billion funding envelope from the State and Australian governments, and other investments for athlete’s villages and transport infrastructure meet legacy and Games needs.
• Evaluate deliverability: assess the feasibility of completing infrastructure projects on time and within budget, considering resource availability, Olympic Host Contract and Games commitments and other risk factors. This includes reviewing infrastructure procurement, staging strategy and delivery models, including those that involve private investment, and evaluating industry capacity.
• IDENTIFY PRIORITY PROJECTS: >> identify critical infrastructure investments that are essential for both Games-time needs and long-term growth for Queensland, while recommending opportunities for cost savings across the venues program.
• Maximise long-term benefits: ensure that infrastructure investments support regional economic development and align with broader strategies, including tourism, and deliver lasting community benefits such as increased housing and improved public amenities.
• Assess Games governance: evaluation the current governance arrangements for the Games and recommend any changes that are considered to increase the likelihood for successful delivery of the Games, including the infrastructure required, and to reduce the overall cost and risk in delivering the Games.

 

[AustralianFan]

GAMES REVIEW
I think this Crisafulli retreat yesterday is from his statement of 1 year ago when he pledged “no new stadiums”:

Queensland premier retreats from pre-election Olympic stadium pledge
16 February 2025, ABC News Australia

 

[AustralianFan]

From the Courier Mail is this report on the release timelines of the 100-Day Games Review Report: Interim report to Govt on 08/03/2025, public release 25/03/2025.

State's Olympic infrastructure reveal date set

• Queenslanders will know on March 25 what infrastructure will be built for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie told parliament the government would release the 100-day infrastructure review report, and his response, on March 25.
• Mr Bleijie said the report would be handed to the government on March 8 before it consults with other levels of government, the International Olympic Committee and 2032 organising committee President Andrew Liveris to ensure they are in “lock step” towards the Games.
• The report is expected to inform the state’s final infrastructure plan, three-and-a-half years after winning the Games.
• Where Brisbane should host athletics and if a new stadium must be built will be answered in the review report.

Credit:  Courier Mail

[Rob2012]

19 hours ago, AustralianFan said:

Queenslanders will know on March 25 what infrastructure will be built for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

After all this equivocation and two separate reports from two different governments we finally have a date. Hopefully things can crack on then, and we might even have a stadium build to follow.

[AustralianFan]

3 hours ago, Rob2012 said:

After all this equivocation and two separate reports from two different governments we finally have a date. Hopefully things can crack on then, and we might even have a stadium build to follow.

I’m waiting to see what of the review’s recommendations the new Queensland Government actually  supports and converts into which ones they disregard.

Fingers crossed there’s no regressive backflips 

[AustralianFan]

Where is the engineering advice that a Gabba West Stadium
cannot be built over the CRR Station?

 

In the Brisbane Times the Kirk Studio architects advise that a timber stadium is proposed in their 100-Day Review submission for a new, relocated Gabba.

 

They also advise:

• using timber would reduce the stadium’s weight – allowing it to sit more easily, from an engineering perspective, above both the Cross River Rail and Clem7 tunnels,
• the Kirk Studio proposal would have a brand new Gabba built metres from the existing stadium, which would be demolished after Brisbane 2032 to make way for housing and a Gabba-inspired park
• Gabba West is already an active construction site, allowing new development to commence immediately – potentially even before the completion of the Cross River Rail project.”

• With a bit of design work, the Cross River Rail proximity and dealing with it in section, not just in plan – that is, treating the movement vertically, not just horizontally – gives you that total dispersal”
• ”It’ll be the only stadium where you can arrive without getting wet“
• “Given the Gabba’s proximity to bars and restaurants – something Victoria Park lacks – not everyone would be going home at the same time.”
• “You can create a destinational precinct where people can spend time and linger, which is precisely what you want to do,” Kirk said.

“So sometimes these things that appear to be negatives can end up being attributes.”

[Rob2012]

Like the look of that, aesthetically. I know it'll never happen, but still. Also, building an enormous greenhouse is certainly one way of mitigating the lower temperatures in 2032! RIP Aussie cricket fans in the summer though.

[AustralianFan]

Brisbane 2032 Venues Announcement event 25 March 2025

Should we lower our expectations? So from the Courier Mail is this report further below that the Queensland Government is to announce the Venues Plan on 25 March 2023 following consulations/approvals with Games stakeholders. Hope they can stick to this all-encompassing, consultations-complete timeline of 25 March. Perhaps this tight timeline is a real indication that changes to the existing overall Brisbane 2032 venues and infrastructure plan are not going to be widespread as was first thought ? I mean if the government were to support widespread changes to the Venues plan, then 17 days (8-25 March) is an awfully short period of time for consultations and approval with and from the IOC, affected international sport federations and government. So for this reason, I’m guessing that widespread venue changes and infrastructure projects will not be happening. Perhaps a new stadium for track and field, ceremonies and legacy tenants AFL & Cricket and that’s it ... everythng else pretty much unchanged including Brisbane Arena staying in Roma Street Parklands. A Maroochydore rail line likely a bridge too far. But that’s only my guess. Perhaps now’s a good time to begin lowering our expectations of what is coming. Yes, …. and hoping too for some leaks from 8 March onwards.

So, on to this report about the Venues Announcement from the Courier Mail:

***************

• Premier David Crisafulli will unveil his 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues and infrastructure plan at The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane Special Event on 25 March.
• It will be the most significant announcement for Brisbane since winning the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• More than 300 people, including leaders of government, industry and Brisbane 2032 decision makers will be at Howard Smith Wharves for the announcement.

BOOK YOUR TICKET TO FUTURE BRISBANE

• As revealed last week, the Queensland Government will release the 100-day infrastructure review report, and its response, on Tuesday, March 25.
• The government will receive the report on March 8 and then use the subsequent 16 days to consult other levels of government, the International Olympic Committee and 2032 organising committee President Andrew Liveris.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Federal Sport Minister Anika Wells and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli at The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane event in November, 2024.

• The Premier will announce the venues plan in conversation with The Courier-Mail Editor Chris Jones at the Future Brisbane Special Event lunch.
• Sunday Mail Editor Melanie Pilling will then host an expert panel with industry reaction to the Games venues plan.
• Since 2017, The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane series has played a leading role in advocating for our city and ensuring the 2032 Games deliver long-term legacy benefits.

[AustralianFan]

41 minutes ago, AustralianFan said:

Brisbane 2032 Venues Announcement event 25 March 2025

 

Should we lower our expectations? So from the Courier Mail is this report further below that the Queensland Government is to announce the Venues Plan on 25 March 2023 following consulations/approvals with Games stakeholders. Hope they can stick to this all-encompassing, consultations-complete timeline of 25 March. Perhaps this tight timeline is a real indication that changes to the existing overall Brisbane 2032 venues and infrastructure plan are not going to be widespread as was first thought ? I mean if the government were to support widespread changes to the Venues plan, then 17 days (8-25 March) is an awfully short period of time for consultations and approval with and from the IOC, affected international sport federations and government. So for this reason, I’m guessing that widespread venue changes and infrastructure projects will not be happening. Perhaps a new stadium for track and field, ceremonies and legacy tenants AFL & Cricket and that’s it ... everythng else pretty much unchanged including Brisbane Arena staying in Roma Street Parklands. A Maroochydore rail line likely a bridge too far. But that’s only my guess. Perhaps now’s a good time to begin lowering our expectations of what is coming. Yes, …. and hoping too for some leaks from 8 March onwards.

So, on to this report about the Venues Announcement from the Courier Mail:

***************

• Premier David Crisafulli will unveil his 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues and infrastructure plan at The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane Special Event on 25 March.
• It will be the most significant announcement for Brisbane since winning the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• More than 300 people, including leaders of government, industry and Brisbane 2032 decision makers will be at Howard Smith Wharves for the announcement.

BOOK YOUR TICKET TO FUTURE BRISBANE

• As revealed last week, the Queensland Government will release the 100-day infrastructure review report, and its response, on Tuesday, March 25.
• The government will receive the report on March 8 and then use the subsequent 16 days to consult other levels of government, the International Olympic Committee and 2032 organising committee President Andrew Liveris.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Federal Sport Minister Anika Wells and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli at The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane event in November, 2024.

• The Premier will announce the venues plan in conversation with The Courier-Mail Editor Chris Jones at the Future Brisbane Special Event lunch.
• Sunday Mail Editor Melanie Pilling will then host an expert panel with industry reaction to the Games venues plan.
• Since 2017, The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane series has played a leading role in advocating for our city and ensuring the 2032 Games deliver long-term legacy benefits.

Damn.

The big Brisbane 2032 Venues Announcement Event at Howard Smith Wharves on 25 March has sold out already.

[Sir Rols]

A major announcement “event” signals they’ll have something exciting to announce - so a major stadium is certainly on the cards. And that the powers that be already know what’s in store before the actually delivery of the report.

Two weeks between handing the report over and the public announcement, with stakeholders to be briefed in between, pretty well guarantees most of the major details will leak ahead of the 25th. The event will mainly be confirming what will have been put out already. Watch the Courier-Mail friom the 8th (if not earlier). 

 

[yoshi]

I certainly doubt anyone would host a major public event to announce the 1928 throwback that was the second official plan. Even the Gabba rebuild would feel a little underwhelming for the hype, since that would just be going back to square one.  That says to me too that one of the plans for a proper, larger new stadium has been picked. 

[Bear]

The Brisbane 2032 Organizing Committee, as well as the Coordination Commission will be delivering an update on the 20th to the IOC Session. Anything to be said on the 25th should be known by then, I assume. Though with Brisbane, anything is possible...

[Sir Rols]

Hmmm. I wonder if Kirsty?/Juan?/Seb? will make the trip out for it?

[cfm Jeremie]

26 minutes ago, Sir Rols said:

Hmmm. I wonder if Kirsty?/Juan?/Seb? will make the trip out for it?

I would imagine the first trip of the new IOC President would rather be to the IOC HQ to meet the staff and to the next host. 

[Rob2012]

1 hour ago, yoshi said:

I certainly doubt anyone would host a major public event to announce the 1928 throwback that was the second official plan. Even the Gabba rebuild would feel a little underwhelming for the hype, since that would just be going back to square one.  That says to me too that one of the plans for a proper, larger new stadium has been picked. 

Looks to me to be a banqueting venue that holds a few hundred people and I'm guessing a lot will be journos and stakeholders anyway. I'd hesitate to call it a "major public event". They're obviously putting some effort into the announcement, which is a nice thing to do especially given how behind closed doors nearly everything else related to Olympic bidding and planning is these days. But I'm not entirely sure I would read anything into what may be announced just from the scope of the event.

What I would read into it is they want to see this as something of a hard reset after the embarrassing muddles that have got them to this point. This is likely going to be presented as the new Day 1 of Brisbane 2032.

Edited February 24, 2025 by Rob2012

[Rob2012]

EDIT: OK, reading further it's not even a Brisbane 2032 event. It's an already planned Courier Mail event the new Premier has just decided to announce the venues at. Still nice to have a public announcement and maybe there'll be some renders and things to come out of it.

Edited February 24, 2025 by Rob2012

[Tejas57]

Channel 9 is reporting reporting the 100 day review will recommend Vic Park

[yoshi]

3 hours ago, Rob2012 said:

Looks to me to be a banqueting venue that holds a few hundred people and I'm guessing a lot will be journos and stakeholders anyway. I'd hesitate to call it a "major public event". They're obviously putting some effort into the announcement, which is a nice thing to do especially given how behind closed doors nearly everything else related to Olympic bidding and planning is these days. But I'm not entirely sure I would read anything into what may be announced just from the scope of the event.

What I would read into it is they want to see this as something of a hard reset after the embarrassing muddles that have got them to this point. This is likely going to be presented as the new Day 1 of Brisbane 2032.

Yeah it's still an event though. Suggests it's not something they're embarrassed about - I see the last post says it's Victoria Park after all. Hopefully this does mark an end to the chaos & the start of the actual buildup, with the traditional seven years to go as well. Interesting thought about the reset, & it almost being a launch of the games properly, I wonder if we might get the logo on March 25th? Would be a sensible thing to do to mark the settling of the problems & a new phase in the buildup. 

[cfm Jeremie]

3 minutes ago, yoshi said:

. Interesting thought about the reset, & it almost being a launch of the games properly, I wonder if we might get the logo on March 25th? Would be a sensible thing to do to mark the settling of the problems & a new phase in the buildup. 

I doubt it. It seems the March 25th event is a government-led event.

I would assume that the emblem launch will be controled by the OCOG from A to Z (but I would be very happy to be proven wrong).

[AustralianFan]

5 hours ago, Bear said:

The Brisbane 2032 Organizing Committee, as well as the Coordination Commission will be delivering an update on the 20th to the IOC Session. Anything to be said on the 25th should be known by then, I assume. Though with Brisbane, anything is possible...

Excellent @Bear.   Is that Brisbane 2032 update to occur at the IOC Executive Board Meeting on 17th March preceding the 144th IOC Session which starts on 20th (?)

Usually these Games updates occur at the EB Meetings.

[AustralianFan]

5 hours ago, Sir Rols said:

Hmmm. I wonder if Kirsty?/Juan?/Seb? will make the trip out for it?

 

5 hours ago, cfm Jeremie said:

I would imagine the first trip of the new IOC President would rather be to the IOC HQ to meet the staff and to the next host. 

The IOC-President Elect does not take up his/her position until 24 June 2025.  Thomas Bach will continue to be IOC President until then.

However, a Press Conference with the IOC President and the IOC-President Elect for 20 March, immediately after the Election.