Queensland government considers scrapping Brisbane 2032 Olympics after public backlash… but is warned pulling out will cost $500 million

The Queensland government has reportedly explored the possibility of withdrawing from hosting duties for the 2032 Olympics.

Brisbane will host the event in eight years’ time but politicians have faced a backlash over stadium plans. An independent review has found that the $2.7 billion rebuild of the Gabba Stadium should be scrapped in favor of developing a new 55,000-seater stadium. , which costs about $3 billion.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles rejected the controversial proposal, arguing he had sought “a better value option”.

He added that no one “wants to see money spent on facilities that are only needed for four weeks” and was skeptical about the final cost of the project.

And now 9News has reported that the Queensland government has discussed the possibility of pulling out of hosting duties altogether, a move that would send shockwaves through the sporting world.

A stadium row has broken out with politicians unwilling to spend billions on development

But the withdrawal will cost Steven Miles’ government at least $500 million

However, the government was told this would cost approximately $500 million in compensation. In addition, $3 billion in federal government funding would be withdrawn.

As a result, the government is focused on finding a solution to the stadium crisis after considering that going ahead with the Games would deliver greater value to taxpayers.

The main conclusions from the independent assessment are as follows:

• The Queensland Government has accepted 27 recommendations arising from the review led by former Brisbane mayor Graham Quirk
• The most controversial suggestion is to scrap a $2.7 billion plan to rebuild the Gabba in favor of building a new 55,000-seat stadium in Brisbane.
• The proposal would cost around $3 billion, with around $360 million in relocation costs for AFL and cricket teams, and would take three years to build.
• The assessment found that the 42,000-seat Gabba is ‘aging’, does not meet building regulations and even if it were completely rebuilt would not be considered a ‘tier 1’ venue due to its size.
• If an alternative stadium is available, the Gabba should be demolished and the site repurposed, the review recommends
• Prime Minister Steven Miles has rejected the review’s key recommendation to build a new stadium at inner-city Brisbane’s Victoria Park.
• Instead, he will explore upgrades to the Queensland Sports and Athletics Center (QSAC) and Suncorp Stadium

The Miles government says its plan ‘prioritizes community benefit while ensuring the coasts remain within the agreed $7.1 billion funding envelope to be shared between state and Commonwealth governments ‘.

‘The government does not believe it would be possible to deliver a 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 is outside the ‘new normal’ of the use of existing or already planned locations,” it said.

‘The government is therefore ruling out a stadium at Victoria Park, preferring instead to investigate upgrades from QSAC and Suncorp.’