Gabba won't lose seats in 2032 Olympic rebuild

The Queensland government has ruled out cutting the number of seats at the Gabba. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

A controversial Gabba rebuild for the 2032 Olympics has not been finalised but the Queensland government has dismissed talk the upgrade will reduce capacity.

The Brisbane Games' maligned venue plan has gained momentum, with the green light given for projects worth more than $560 million in contracts to go to tender.

Expressions of interest to build three Sunshine Coast venues and revamp the Chandler Indoor Sports Centre and pool in Brisbane's south will be released from Monday.

It ensures almost a quarter of the $1.87 billion minor venues program will be out in the market in the coming months, with almost half due by the end of the year.

Gabba rebuild plans are ongoing after premier Steven Miles ignored an independent 2032 infrastructure review's key findings and opted to revamp the ageing stadium.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner reportedly said there was an alternative government plan to spend more than $1 billion on a Gabba rebuild that would remove 4000 seats, describing it as "crazy".

But Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace on Friday said the Gabba's validation report was still being finalised, dismissing the lord mayor's claim.

"Can I categorically say there is no proposal to spend $1.1 billion and reduce seating - not going to happen," she told reporters.

"We've always known that the Gabba requires work, and we are working through a balanced process about what that work will entail.

"The premier always said it will take some time for us to land on exactly what that is going to look like but we'll be well and truly prepared for 2032."

The independent venue review this year recommended a new $3.4 billion, 55,000-seat stadium be built at Victoria Park in inner Brisbane as the 2032 centrepiece.

The premier copped criticism for disregarding it, instead opting for the Gabba, Suncorp Stadium and the 49-year-old Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre to be upgraded.

It is believed about $1 billion has been set aside for Gabba-Suncorp Stadium improvements.

Mr Schrinner on Friday said he had "held out hope" that other 2032 stadium options would be considered but claimed he would now make the best of it, rejoining a Brisbane Olympic leaders forum.

Brisbane 2032 organising committee president Andrew Liveris was on Friday asked if he had been frustrated by the ongoing debate about the Gabba.

"The word 'frustrated' is not in my vocabulary. What I do is solve problems," he told reporters on the Sunshine Coast.

"We don't have a problem right now. We are waiting for the result of the detailed studies that the minister (Ms Grace) talked about."

Mr Liveris said he had been in constant contact with the International Olympic Committee about Brisbane's progress.

"What I keep getting from people like (IOC president) Thomas Bach ...is no master plan at bid resembled the master plan at implementation," he said.

"So please be ready for the ebbs and flows of changes that are necessary for the most important part of all of this ...the legacy for the community well beyond any Olympics or Paralympics."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store