‘Absolutely mental’: Outrage erupts over Brisbane’s Olympic plans
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Hosting an international event like the Olympics is always a grand affair, but when plans for new venues and infrastructure emerge, they can stir up quite the debate.
As details of the 2032 Brisbane Games were unveiled, reactions ranged from excitement over world-class facilities to frustration over broken promises and hefty price tags.
What followed was a wave of public scrutiny, with opinions divided on whether the new developments are a necessary investment or an unnecessary burden.
The 2032 Brisbane Olympics venue plans have ignited fierce debate, with some praising the upgrades while others accused Premier David Crisafulli of backflipping on his election promises.
Crisafulli announced the venue allocations across Queensland, revealing a major infrastructure overhaul, including a brand-new Olympic stadium at Victoria Park.
The $650 million National Aquatic Centre, a 25,000-seat venue set to become the home of Australian water sports, was one of the biggest talking points.
Despite plans for the stadium to be reduced to 8,800 seats after the Games, journalist Mark Gottlieb questioned the necessity of such a large venue, writing on social media: ‘What on earth do we need a 25 thousand seat swimming complex for? Honestly. Absolutely mental. Leaving a legacy for swimming is a worthwhile goal but a giant white elephant that will never be used is nuts.’
The Brisbane Tennis Centre was set to receive a new 3,000-seat court alongside Pat Rafter Arena, with 12 additional courts planned.
The RNA Showgrounds would be converted into a 20,000-seat stadium, located next to the new Brisbane athletes’ village.
Following the Olympics, the 60,000-seat Victoria Park stadium would become home to the Brisbane Lions and Cricket Australia matches.
Crisafulli’s announcement drew immediate backlash, with Opposition Leader Steven Miles accusing him of breaking a key election promise.
‘He promised you no new stadiums. Today he announced he will build a new stadium in Victoria Park. It’s not good enough that he’s broken this promise,’ Miles wrote on social media.
Some echoed Miles’ frustration, with a commenter writing: ‘A broken promise, how surprising, NOT. Another one term LNP government.’
Despite criticism, many supported the new stadium, arguing that it was a better option than upgrading the ageing Gabba.
One person wrote: ‘The embarrassment of hosting the games at QSAC has been avoided. Victoria Park it is. New stadium. New aquatic centre. New identity.’
Another added: ‘Hosting the Olympics at QSAC would have been an embarrassment for Australia & Brisbane.’
However, the project’s cost became a major point of contention, with many questioning whether billions should be spent on the Olympics amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
One social media user wrote: ‘Olympics are a joke. Waste of tax payers money for a 2 week sporting junket. If the IOC want the Olympics then the IOC should fund the host country to host, not the other way around.’
Another commented: ‘F*** the Olympics, got bigger issues than holding a carnival for rich sport people.’
A third person wrote: ‘AND they’re going to fix the housing crisis when and how!? By spending all this money on the Olympics of course?’
A commenter shared a similar view, writing: ‘The Olympics nearly bankrupt each place that has hosted them. Absolute waste of taxpayers money. Should never bid to host them.’
While Brisbane’s venues took centre stage, Crisafulli confirmed events would be held across the state.
Soccer would be played in Cairns and Townsville, with Townsville also set to co-host sailing.
Hockey would take place at an upgraded Gold Coast venue, instead of the Queensland Rugby Union headquarters in Brisbane as originally proposed.
Though the venue plans sparked division, the general sentiment leaned towards supporting a new stadium over a Gabba upgrade—despite concerns over cost.
For a closer look at the ambitious plans shaping Brisbane’s Olympic future, check out the full breakdown of the newly unveiled venues.
Watch the video below for all the details.
Youtube/9 News Australia
With billions set to be spent on new venues, do you think the investment will pay off for Brisbane in the long run? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
As details of the 2032 Brisbane Games were unveiled, reactions ranged from excitement over world-class facilities to frustration over broken promises and hefty price tags.
What followed was a wave of public scrutiny, with opinions divided on whether the new developments are a necessary investment or an unnecessary burden.
The 2032 Brisbane Olympics venue plans have ignited fierce debate, with some praising the upgrades while others accused Premier David Crisafulli of backflipping on his election promises.
Crisafulli announced the venue allocations across Queensland, revealing a major infrastructure overhaul, including a brand-new Olympic stadium at Victoria Park.
The $650 million National Aquatic Centre, a 25,000-seat venue set to become the home of Australian water sports, was one of the biggest talking points.
Brisbane’s Olympic venue plans spark controversy. Image source: Queensland Government.
Despite plans for the stadium to be reduced to 8,800 seats after the Games, journalist Mark Gottlieb questioned the necessity of such a large venue, writing on social media: ‘What on earth do we need a 25 thousand seat swimming complex for? Honestly. Absolutely mental. Leaving a legacy for swimming is a worthwhile goal but a giant white elephant that will never be used is nuts.’
The Brisbane Tennis Centre was set to receive a new 3,000-seat court alongside Pat Rafter Arena, with 12 additional courts planned.
The RNA Showgrounds would be converted into a 20,000-seat stadium, located next to the new Brisbane athletes’ village.
Following the Olympics, the 60,000-seat Victoria Park stadium would become home to the Brisbane Lions and Cricket Australia matches.
Crisafulli’s announcement drew immediate backlash, with Opposition Leader Steven Miles accusing him of breaking a key election promise.
‘He promised you no new stadiums. Today he announced he will build a new stadium in Victoria Park. It’s not good enough that he’s broken this promise,’ Miles wrote on social media.
Some echoed Miles’ frustration, with a commenter writing: ‘A broken promise, how surprising, NOT. Another one term LNP government.’
Despite criticism, many supported the new stadium, arguing that it was a better option than upgrading the ageing Gabba.
One person wrote: ‘The embarrassment of hosting the games at QSAC has been avoided. Victoria Park it is. New stadium. New aquatic centre. New identity.’
Another added: ‘Hosting the Olympics at QSAC would have been an embarrassment for Australia & Brisbane.’
However, the project’s cost became a major point of contention, with many questioning whether billions should be spent on the Olympics amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
One social media user wrote: ‘Olympics are a joke. Waste of tax payers money for a 2 week sporting junket. If the IOC want the Olympics then the IOC should fund the host country to host, not the other way around.’
Another commented: ‘F*** the Olympics, got bigger issues than holding a carnival for rich sport people.’
A third person wrote: ‘AND they’re going to fix the housing crisis when and how!? By spending all this money on the Olympics of course?’
A commenter shared a similar view, writing: ‘The Olympics nearly bankrupt each place that has hosted them. Absolute waste of taxpayers money. Should never bid to host them.’
While Brisbane’s venues took centre stage, Crisafulli confirmed events would be held across the state.
Soccer would be played in Cairns and Townsville, with Townsville also set to co-host sailing.
Hockey would take place at an upgraded Gold Coast venue, instead of the Queensland Rugby Union headquarters in Brisbane as originally proposed.
Though the venue plans sparked division, the general sentiment leaned towards supporting a new stadium over a Gabba upgrade—despite concerns over cost.
For a closer look at the ambitious plans shaping Brisbane’s Olympic future, check out the full breakdown of the newly unveiled venues.
Watch the video below for all the details.
Youtube/9 News Australia
With billions set to be spent on new venues, do you think the investment will pay off for Brisbane in the long run? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
