Brisbane Olympics 2032: Victoria Park stadium announced as swimming a big winner from venues reveal

The race to the Brisbane 2032 Games is finally under way after a few false starts, with the long-awaited Olympic venue plan unveiled.

But the finishing line is already fast approaching, with an expert warning organisers are “up against the clock” to complete projects across Queensland.

A 63,000-seat main stadium in Brisbane’s Victoria Park has been confirmed as the centrepiece of a bold venue plan revealed by the Queensland government after a 100-day review.

The infrastructure blueprint that promised to deliver new venues and an improved transport network was confirmed on Tuesday, 1343 days after Brisbane was named host city.

Queensland “finally” had a plan, Premier David Crisafulli said.

“The time has come to just get on with it.”

The clock is ticking with projects proposed from the state’s southeast to far north after resistance to relocating sports interstate.

But time has already run out to redevelop the ageing Gabba.

The premier said the 2032 Games would mark the famous venue’s swansong, sounding alarm bells for Australian Constructors Association chief executive Jon Davies.

“That shows you just how up against the clock we now are,” he told AAP.

“We’ve wasted a good three or four years.”

Mr Davies said organisers could not afford drawn out business cases and tender processes if they wanted to complete the 2032 plan amid resource shortages and escalating prices.

Queensland vowed to pull out all stops to ensure boots on the ground to meet the 2032 deadline, with the Victoria Park stadium set to cost an estimated $3.8 billion.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the state would “absolutely steal workers” from NSW and Victoria to help with construction.

“We’ll put a big shining light in Queensland and say ‘move to Queensland’,’‘ he said.

Some sports are already getting excited after emerging as the venue plan’s big winners.

They include swimming, with the inner-city Centenary Pool to be transformed into a 25,000-seat national aquatic centre near the main stadium, ditching initial drop-in pool plans.

Brisbane Showgrounds will get a facelift with a 20,000-seat stadium planned next to a relocated main athletes village.

Hockey will also be happy, with the sport to be held on the Gold Coast at a revamped 2018 Commonwealth Games venue.

But the plan did not feature a proposed Commonwealth-backed $2.5 billion Brisbane Arena in the CBD, with the state government allocating federal funding to other infrastructure.

Mr Crisafulli said the private sector would be asked to splash out for the 18,000-seat indoor centre to save taxpayer dollars.

The arena was initially part of the $7.1 billion Games venue funding envelope agreed by the Queensland government and Commonwealth in February 2023.

However, the review report indicated if the arena remained publicly funded the venue price would blow past $8 billion because of rising costs and time constraints.

A private sector-backed Brisbane Arena will be built near the outgoing Gabba.

Brisbane’s traditional cricket and AFL home will be bulldozed and eventually become an entertainment and housing precinct.

Football will be held in north Queensland calling for a permanent 30,000-seat stadium, preferably at Brisbane’s Perry Park.

Rowing will be hosted in central Queensland’s Fitzroy River, in crocodile country, raising concerns it may not meet international standards.

Queensland Tennis Centre will get a major upgrade reportedly worth $113 million to host the sport, avoiding plans to relocate to Melbourne.

Equestrian events have been moved to Toowoomba and sailing from Moreton Bay to north Queensland.

Mr Crisafulli apologised for breaking an election promise after vowing there would be no new stadiums but the Olympic body liked what it saw.

“The International Olympic Committee is very aligned with where we’re heading and very excited we have a plan,” Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris said.