Construction of $1.4b Brisbane Arena to begin within weeks. Take a look around

Construction of the $1.4 billion Brisbane Arena is set to begin within weeks, after it was announced on Sunday that the Gather Brisbane consortium would deliver the entertainment precinct, with its opening expected by 2031.

The 17,000-seat arena will host various events, such as concerts, family shows, and sports, and will have access to Woolloongabba’s underground Cross River Rail station, alongside a new pedestrian bridge connecting to Stanley Street and the South East Busway.

The Gabba Entertainment Precinct, which comprises two pieces of land totalling nine hectares, will replace the Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondall in the city’s north.

The nearby Gabba Stadium will be demolished following the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of a state government plan for almost 4000 homes.

Earlier this year, Gather Brisbane was shortlisted alongside Ignite, formerly Brisbane Entertainment Alliance, for the build.

On Sunday, the government announced Gather Brisbane, which brings together Plenary, Live Nation, Oak View Group and Webuild, would be responsible for the arena’s design, build, financing, maintenance and operation.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the consortium’s selection marked a major milestone, with work expected to start in January.

“The stage is now set for something special at Woolloongabba. This will be transformational for the area, and generational for millions of people who will come to live, visit and enjoy this new precinct,” he said.

Taking aim at Labor over “taxpayers forking out billions for a new arena”, Bleijie said the government had instead gathered a group of powerhouses in their fields to deliver an incredible legacy for Queensland that would also “respect taxpayers’ money”.

“We knew that this was a site that had so much potential, but we saw the chaos and confusion before the October 2024 election, where the Gabba was either going to be knocked down, rebuilt, refurbished, painted, and we had a different vision for this area,” he said.

Once the arena is completed, the state government will make a one-off $600 million capital investment in the project, which is not part of the $7.1 billion venue infrastructure budget for the 2032 Olympics.

“You will recall the previous government had a plan for an arena at a cost of $2.4 billion that had to be changed three locations because it was over the old Roma Street railyards … we said we’d partner with the private sector, and we’ve gone through a competitive process,” Bleijie said.

“This is a $1.4 billion arena, a $600 million capital contribution from the state government, but we don’t pay that until 2031.”

Bleijie said the contribution would be offset by the sale and staged release of the Gabba stadium land to the consortium, to make way for about 4000 new homes.

Under the deal, the government will continue to own the Brisbane Arena land until at least 2071, and will enter into a long-term commercial arrangement with the operator.

The build was also backed by Brisbane singers The Veronicas, who said the arena would give the next generation of artists a bigger stage.

“We were saying we are definitely down to christen the arena once it’s fully up and running,” Jess Origliasso said.

Plenary Group head of development Sergio Calcarao said the project would redefine the way city precincts in Australia and abroad are designed, developed and delivered.

“With a diverse range of housing and community infrastructure being integrated into this master planned precinct, this project is arguably the most significant urban renewal legacy opportunity stemming from this Games infrastructure program.”

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