LNP rejects QSAC Olympic venue plan as over budget

The LNP government in Queensland is planning to focus on long-lasting projects for the upcoming Olympics rather than temporary venues. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie criticized the previous Labor plan, which proposed using the Queensland Sport and Athletic Centre (QSAC) as the main stadium. He said that plan was too expensive and called it a “dud.” Bleijie claimed that the cost of the Labor plan had risen to $2.25 billion, much higher than initially stated. He argued that spending money on temporary venues would be wasteful. Instead, the LNP aims to deliver projects that will provide lasting benefits to the state. The LNP is considering partnerships with the private sector for various projects. This could include building athlete villages, which could cost over $3.5 billion. The Infrastructure Association of Queensland has noted that establishing such public-private partnerships will take time, especially with only seven years until the Games. Bleijie emphasized that the government wants to ensure regional areas benefit from the Olympics. He mentioned plans for permanent athlete village infrastructure on the Sunshine and Gold coasts, which could become around 850 permanent homes after 2032. Minister Tim Mander confirmed that QSAC would not be a recommended venue in the upcoming review. He stated that the idea of using QSAC was flawed and that the government is exploring new options like a main stadium in Victoria Park and a covered indoor arena in Brisbane. The final review will be presented to the cabinet on Monday and made public on Tuesday.