Woolloongabba Cross River Rail development to factor in Olympic legacy

Preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games have taken another step forward with the planning arrangements around the future Woolloongabba Cross River Rail station and Games master planning activities to be linked.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the planning arrangements would deliver a super connected precinct and support the Gabba as the proposed main stadium when Queensland hosts the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Most of the planning for the Priority Development Area (PDA) took place before Brisbane was confirmed as the host city for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mr Miles said.

“Brisbane’s bid was helped enormously because we are already building Cross River Rail and most of the venues are already built or will be temporary.

“But because the 2032 Games will serve as a catalyst for a long-needed redevelopment of The Gabba, it makes sense to put a new interim land use plan in place while significant work is undertaken to understand how it relates to the broader PDA.

“This smart planning will deliver a super connected games hub just two kilometres from the CBD, and support an upgrade of the Gabba to a capacity of around 50,000.”

The existing interim land use plan (ILUP) for the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail Priority Development Area (PDA) will be replaced from next Wednesday, 24 November 2021.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the opportunity would see the economic and community outcomes maximised for East Brisbane locals and the state as whole.

“This is a terrific opportunity to deliver the new underground station at Woolloongabba while also determining how to ensure the 2032 Games leave a lasting legacy for Brisbane and Queensland,” Mr Bailey said.

“Cross River Rail is a massive project that will completely transform the way people travel to and from Brisbane’s inner city.

“Pumping more than $4 million a day into the economy, this critical project is helping drive Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and was key to securing the Games.

“This new land use plan will include specific provisions for affordable and social housing, and co-designed public space outcomes – honouring the commitment made at last year’s election.

“It protects and maintains our commitment to ensure the Gabba precinct includes 50 per cent open space as well as affordable housing for nurses, teachers and other frontline workers.

“The community will be able to have its say on the PDA next year when a proposed development scheme is released for public consultation.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, Economic Development Queensland, and other relevant agencies would work together on the planning for the Woolloongabba CRR PDA. 

“We’re writing a new chapter for the Gabba, the city and the state.”

For more information about the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail PDA and interim land use plan, visit the EDQ or Cross River Rail websites.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Deputy Premiers Office Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903

Courtney Thompson, Minister Bailey’s Office, 0433 585 570