Brisbane Olympics 2032

[Panthera Tigris]

Gabba redevelopment might be off.

‘Fifth in Australia’: Gabba facing 20-year issue with $2.7bn rebuild ‘dead, buried and cremated’

‘Fifth in Australia’: Gabba facing 20-year issue with $2.7bn rebuild ‘dead, buried and cremated’

www.foxsports.com.au

Olympics boss tells Queensland to ditch $2.7bn plan for Gabba demolition and rebuild | Brisbane Olympic Games 2032 | The Guardian

John Coates tells review of 2032 infrastructure that stadium proposal risks turning people against hosting Olympic Games

amp.theguardian.com

 

[FitenFitenWin]

Is this a precursor to the cancellation of the Brisbane Games. There’s got to be some chance. Break it to the masses gently?

 

[Panthera Tigris]

Is this a precursor to the cancellation of the Brisbane Games. There’s got to be some chance. Break it to the masses gently?

If that is the case, there are all sorts of ironies in that.

The entire premise for Brisbane getting the games was under a revised hosting model.

You see, the games have grown into such a giant unsustainable beast that they cannot be hosted without creating an artificial building boom, that very few cities (or even countries) can pull off without sending themselves into a financially burdensome state. And for what? A multi billion dollar two week party which leaves all these brand new shiny toys, with all the latest bells and whistles, sitting to decay as white elephants (and a few IOC officials Cayman Island bank balances are fatter). Meanwhile, the city’s needy people still live in shantytowns, tents and under bridges and Ambulances ramp outside hospitals. The citizens that municipal, state, provincial and national governments are answerable to have wised up to this and the Olympics are on the nose.

The IOC, despite being paralysed by their usual hubris, finally realised this will potentially be the death of the games if they cannot find cities willing to host. And that has been looking increasingly likely in recent editions as cities refuse to bid or pull out of bids midway, dropping like flies as the bidding races unfold.

So they decided to come up with a model that cities of more modest means can realistically host. More minimalist in nature. Essentially brand spanking new, latest bells and whistles venues are no longer needed. Things don’t need to be absolutely perfectly laid out in neat sporting precincts anymore. Whatever venues already exist in a metropolitan area or hinterland can be used. The idea is minimal, if any, construction. Possibly only modest upgrades to existing facilities, that are already proven to be used regularly and will continue to be.

This is how the Brisbane bid was sold to Queenslanders, but government authorities appear to have betrayed the trust of the people of Brisbane and QLD on this. And aspects of the old hosting model with wasteful spending and construction appeared to be creeping in. So they either go back to a style of more modest/minimalist games that was originally promised, or Queenslanders will increasingly revolt.

 

[tigerdell]

Many companies are planning for a boom in the pre Olympics building phase

 

[year of the tiger]

Many companies are planning for a boom in the pre Olympics building phase

Tigerdell - that‘s good for now but remember Sydney went into a local building and investment recession for quite a few years after Sydaneee 2000. Games infrastructure is more about sustaining ongoing local legacies rather than the big wow factor.

The AFL don’t get that and that’s the problem with the Tassie Mac proposals being debated down here.

 

[tigerdell]

Tigerdell - that‘s good for now but remember Sydney went into a local building and investment recession for quite a few years after Sydaneee 2000. Games infrastructure is more about sustaining ongoing local legacies rather than the big wow factor.

The AFL don’t get that and that’s the problem with the Tassie Mac proposals being debated down here.

Fully agree. Its gonna be an interesting ride.
But we have foreknowledge of the post olympic come down.
Can the QLD and Federal govts prevent it?

 

[year of the tiger]

Fully agree. Its gonna be an interesting ride.
But we have foreknowledge of the post olympic come down.
Can the QLD and Federal govts prevent it?

Don't know to be honest - it will be an amazing event regardless of the build or venues I reckon.

 

[FitenFitenWin]

If that is the case, there are all sorts of ironies in that.

The entire premise for Brisbane getting the games was under a revised hosting model.

You see, the games have grown into such a giant unsustainable beast that they cannot be hosted without creating an artificial building boom, that very few cities (or even countries) can pull off without sending themselves into a financially burdensome state. And for what? A multi billion dollar two week party which leaves all these brand new shiny toys, with all the latest bells and whistles, sitting to decay as white elephants (and a few IOC officials Cayman Island bank balances are fatter). Meanwhile, the city’s needy people still live in shantytowns, tents and under bridges and Ambulances ramp outside hospitals. The citizens that municipal, state, provincial and national governments are answerable to have wised up to this and the Olympics are on the nose.

The IOC, despite being paralysed by their usual hubris, finally realised this will potentially be the death of the games if they cannot find cities willing to host. And that has been looking increasingly likely in recent editions as cities refuse to bid or pull out of bids midway, dropping like flies as the bidding races unfold.

So they decided to come up with a model that cities of more modest means can realistically host. More minimalist in nature. Essentially brand spanking new, latest bells and whistles venues are no longer needed. Things don’t need to be absolutely perfectly laid out in neat sporting precincts anymore. Whatever venues already exist in a metropolitan area or hinterland can be used. The idea is minimal, if any, construction. Possibly only modest upgrades to existing facilities, that are already proven to be used regularly and will continue to be.

This is how the Brisbane bid was sold to Queenslanders, but government authorities appear to have betrayed the trust of the people of Brisbane and QLD on this. And aspects of the old hosting model with wasteful spending and construction appeared to be creeping in. So they either go back to a style of more modest/minimalist games that was originally promised, or Queenslanders will increasingly revolt.

Spot on - great summary of the situation. Olympics are also largely a TV observed event. As such it shouldn’t matter that the facilities aren’t brand spanking. A lot of sins can be concealed behind a camera lense. The modest model is really the only one that will work going forward. That or leave every major sporting event to the oil rich Middle East nations and recycle everything else between 3-4 cities that have the facilities already established.

 

[tigersnake]

How is Coates? He is a Mr Burns parody clinging to power with his cold, dead hands. Give it away Coatsey. Give someone else a go.

 

[tigersnake]

If that is the case, there are all sorts of ironies in that.

The entire premise for Brisbane getting the games was under a revised hosting model.

You see, the games have grown into such a giant unsustainable beast that they cannot be hosted without creating an artificial building boom, that very few cities (or even countries) can pull off without sending themselves into a financially burdensome state. And for what? A multi billion dollar two week party which leaves all these brand new shiny toys, with all the latest bells and whistles, sitting to decay as white elephants (and a few IOC officials Cayman Island bank balances are fatter). Meanwhile, the city’s needy people still live in shantytowns, tents and under bridges and Ambulances ramp outside hospitals. The citizens that municipal, state, provincial and national governments are answerable to have wised up to this and the Olympics are on the nose.

The IOC, despite being paralysed by their usual hubris, finally realised this will potentially be the death of the games if they cannot find cities willing to host. And that has been looking increasingly likely in recent editions as cities refuse to bid or pull out of bids midway, dropping like flies as the bidding races unfold.

So they decided to come up with a model that cities of more modest means can realistically host. More minimalist in nature. Essentially brand spanking new, latest bells and whistles venues are no longer needed. Things don’t need to be absolutely perfectly laid out in neat sporting precincts anymore. Whatever venues already exist in a metropolitan area or hinterland can be used. The idea is minimal, if any, construction. Possibly only modest upgrades to existing facilities, that are already proven to be used regularly and will continue to be.

This is how the Brisbane bid was sold to Queenslanders, but government authorities appear to have betrayed the trust of the people of Brisbane and QLD on this. And aspects of the old hosting model with wasteful spending and construction appeared to be creeping in. So they either go back to a style of more modest/minimalist games that was originally promised, or Queenslanders will increasingly revolt.

Some good points, and I agree with the sentiment, but a couple of clarifications and expansions.

Firstly, it wasn't really sold to Queenslanders in that way, it was implied, a bit, at times, and it wasn't sold as an extravaganza, but it definately wasn't sold as Aldi Olympics either.

Second, the Gabba is an icon, and the sad reality is it needs a complete overhaul. I'm not saying it has to be done for the Olympics, I'm not saying it should be done at all, and the debates about the cost is legit, but the fact is it is an iconic stadium that will be well used well after the Olympics, and it is horribly designed. It is hard to get to, hard to get in and out of, hard to move around once you are in. Its a shitshow. Its an indightment on all involved with the design, its terrible and only 20-odd years old.

 

[Panthera Tigris]

Some good points, and I agree with the sentiment, but a couple of clarifications and expansions.

Firstly, it wasn't really sold to Queenslanders in that way, it was implied, a bit, at times, and it wasn't sold as an extravaganza, but it definately wasn't sold as Aldi Olympics either.

Second, the Gabba is an icon, and the sad reality is it needs a complete overhaul. I'm not saying it has to be done for the Olympics, I'm not saying it should be done at all, and the debates about the cost is legit, but the fact is it is an iconic stadium that will be well used well after the Olympics, and it is horribly designed. It is hard to get to, hard to get in and out of, hard to move around once you are in. Its a shitshow. Its an indightment on all involved with the design, its terrible and only 20-odd years old.

I wonder if the Gabba is simply a victim of its suburban location. Inner suburban, yes, but still suburban. Maybe should have been abandoned for an alternative site 25 years ago, that would provide more longevity. The same issues Hobart is dealing with, regarding the lack of foresight when developing Bellerive Oval in a similar era.

The Gabba site is like trying to build Arden St or Victoria Park into a major stadium.

 

[tigersnake]

I wonder if the Gabba is simply a victim of its suburban location. Inner suburban, yes, but still suburban. Maybe should have been abandoned for an alternative site 25 years ago, that would provide more longevity. The same issues Hobart is dealing with, regarding the lack of foresight when developing Bellerive Oval in a similar era.

The Gabba site is like trying to build Arden St or Victoria Park into a major stadium.

You're not wrong, but I think you're undervaluing icon status. What is Brisbane famous for? There's the Gabba, which is unique, iconic and famous, then what? The Story Bridge? yeah its nice but its no Harbour Bridge, the Breakfast Creek Pub? Famous but not as much as the Gabba. You can't buy icon status.

Also there is a lot of good things nearby, an existing cool restaurant precinct and a couple of potential areas, public transport. its just very poorly connected to any of it. I'm on the fence. If it was re-designed well, the money spent well, it would be well used, a city focus and take off. The backlash is a bit wrong headed IMO, its a result of cities historically spending far too much on single-use facilities. The Gabba isn't that.

 

[Panthera Tigris]

You're not wrong, but I think you're undervaluing icon status. What is Brisbane famous for? There's the Gabba, which is unique, iconic and famous, then what? The Story Bridge? yeah its nice but its no Harbour Bridge, the Breakfast Creek Pub? Famous but not as much as the Gabba. You can't buy icon status.

Also there is a lot of good things nearby, an existing cool restaurant precinct and a couple of potential areas, public transport. its just very poorly connected to any of it. I'm on the fence. If it was re-designed well, the money spent well, it would be well used, a city focus and take off. The backlash is a bit wrong headed IMO, its a result of cities historically spending far too much on single-use facilities. The Gabba isn't that.

If they had their time again, I wonder if perhaps 20-30 years ago the Gabba could have been retained as more of a quaint village green style of boutique ground in the mould of North Sydney Oval or The Basin in Wellington, retaining some of the older grandstands and perhaps incorporating a picket fence and rows of Morton Bay fig trees at the rear of some grass spectator hills. Utilising it for shield cricket and lesser tests.

A newer more expansive modern stadium built as part of the South Bank development complemented with pedestrian foot bridges across the river, as well as existing train stations at South Brisbane and South Bank.

 

[tigersnake]

If they had their time again, I wonder if perhaps 20-30 years ago the Gabba could have been retained as more of a quaint village green style of boutique ground in the mould of North Sydney Oval or The Basin in Wellington, retaining some of the older grandstands and perhaps incorporating a picket fence and rows of Morton Bay fig trees at the rear of some grass spectator hills. Utilising it for shield cricket and lesser tests.

A newer more expansive modern stadium built as part of the South Bank development complemented with pedestrian foot bridges across the river, as well as existing train stations at South Brisbane and South Bank.

No land at southbank. And it would cost the same, much more if you have to buy land. The gabba would work as a 70k cap stadium if it was redesigned and rebuilt. All the other alternatives have their own issues which means none are compelling as an alternative, and no icon status

 

[Willo]

Olympics and Commonwealth games are outdated.
In these days of climate change all the greenhouse emissions form all the planes for contestants, family and spectators should be done away with.
Or each contestant, family member or spectator should have to supply and plant a million trees each to offset those emissions.
Cities that host the games and build new stadia, accommodation, and clear land should be penalised at the same rate.

Carbon capture and carbon offsets is the new investment vehicle

 

[Panthera Tigris]

No land at southbank. And it would cost the same, much more if you have to buy land. The gabba would work as a 70k cap stadium if it was redesigned and rebuilt. All the other alternatives have their own issues which means none are compelling as an alternative, and no icon status

I was talking in the context of Harry hindsight, at that time that South Bank was being developed coinciding with the Gabba being redeveloped for the Bears to move from Carrara.