The Gabba will be demolished in 2025 ahead of a rebuild that will see it become the centrepiece of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics as part of a $2.7 billion project.
Queensland’s deputy premier, Steven Miles, on Friday unveiled the state’s vision for the surrounding precinct, which could be rebranded East Bank, after accepting a project validation report for the iconic stadium.
Demolition work is set to start after the Ashes Test in 2025, 130 years after the Brisbane sporting venue was first established.
Three new pedestrian bridges will be constructed over adjoining roads as part of Queensland’s biggest urban renewal since 1988’s Expo, with retail, dining, housing and open space to also feature.
The Gabba’s capacity will be boosted from its current 42,000 to 50,000 for sporting events, with the government saying it would be able to host up to 80,000 for concerts and events, meaning artists like Taylor Swift would no longer be inclined to skip the city from Australian tours.
Construction is set to take four years, with the new-look Gabba expected to start hosting events by 2030.
Under the plan, the Gabba will be linked to a concourse and a nearby Cross River Rail station which will be in operation prior to the stadium’s redevelopment.
“That project validation report assessed four possible options for the Gabba and identified that a demolition and rebuild provided the best possible outcome, the best value outcome for the city,” Miles said.
“It will be a well-connected stadium but, most importantly, it will trigger the urban renewal that we want to see … it will be one of the best parts of the city to live in.”
Miles said he would be asking the community what they thought of naming the new-look Gabba precinct East Bank, and whether they had alternative suggestions.
Miles said they were working with cricket administrators and the AFL’s Brisbane Lions to determine where they could play during the rebuild.
He said the government would consider compensation for lost ticket sales for playing at smaller venues.
Construction is set to start in 2026 with a 90% likelihood of being delivered within budget, Miles said.
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