- Federal and Queensland governments reached agreement
Many Aussie taxpayers can’t wait for the Brisbane Olympics to begin in 2032 – but they won’t be happy to hear they’ll be forking out more than $7billion to host the Games.
Under a deal struck with the Queensland government, the Commonwealth has agreed to contribute just under half the cost of building when it comes to Games venues and other infrastructure.
The federal government will provide $3.43billion for 17 new and upgraded venues for the Games – with the whole bill forecast to cost $7.1billion.
Given the long track history of Olympics being subject to huge cost overruns, the eventual total could be far in excess of that.
A large proportion of federal government’s contribution will be spent on the new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park as well as a 25,000-seat National Aquatic Centre in Spring Hill.
In total, 37 venues across 11 Queensland cities will be used to host the 28 Olympic and 22 Paralympic sports.
Aussie taxpayers won’t be happy to hear they will be forking out billions for the privilege of hosting the world’s biggest sporting event (pictured, rising track star Gout Gout, who is expected to be one of the stars of the Brisbane Games)
The bill for the Games infrastructure stands at $7.1billion now – but given the long history of the Olympics suffering from huge cost overruns, the eventual figure could be much higher
A large portion of the federal government’s contribution will be spent on the new 63,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park (pictured)
But given some sports won’t be determined until an International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting is staged next year, Games organisers will be forced to create a venue plan while not knowing what sports they are hosting.
At the LA Olympics in 2028, there will be six additional sports: cricket, baseball, flag football, lacrosse, squash and softball.
In March, Premier David Crisafulli apologised to Queenslanders for breaking a major election promise after announcing the construction of a new stadium as part of Brisbane’s $7billion plan for the 2032 Olympics.
Crisafulli repeatedly pledged not to build any new stadiums on the campaign trail in the lead-up to last year’s state elections.
‘It became a choice between the embarrassment of hosting the games at [the run-down Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre] or a new stadium at Victoria Park,’ he said earlier this year.
‘In the end, the choice was clear. The Games must be held at a new stadium at Victoria Park.’
Crisafulli was asked how he planned to respond to claims he had back-flipped on his earlier promises.
‘By being honest and copping that on the chin,’ he conceded.
‘I have to own that, and I will, and I am sorry. (But) it is my decision.’
Following the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the new stadium will host home games for the Brisbane Lions and Cricket Australia matches.
Brisbane won the rights to host the 2032 Games four years ago when the International Olympic Committee stated the city was its ‘preferred candidate’ based on its previous successes in hosting international sporting events.
