The reconstruction of Brisbane Cricket Ground for the 2032 Summer Olympics has been thrown into doubt after soon-to-be Queensland Premier announced a major review of construction plans for the games. The plans to build the new Gabba stadium have been controversial among residents and politicians from the start.

"We are putting all projects on hold, we want to be absolutely sure"

Australia's ruling Labour Party has eventually succumbed to public pressure with controversy surrounding plans to rebuild the Gabba Stadium. All projects related to the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane have been put on hold until the details of the projects are reconsidered, according to what current Queensland state deputy premier and incoming premier Steven Miles told the media.

As Miles added, plans previously approved by the previous administration led by Annastacia Palaszczuk are to be screened by an independent body. This means the future of the nearly AU$3 billion project hangs in the balance.

Every other time I've asked those questions, the advice has been that the Gabba redevelopment is absolutely necessary to host Brisbane 2032. But I think it's reasonable for us to be absolutely assured of that before we finalise those tenders so that process will happen, Miles stated.

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Is the new Gabba really essential for the organisers?

According to Matt Carroll, executive director of the International Olympic Committee for Australia, the redevelopment of the stadium is not at all required to host the competition. He added that the venue should not be built just for the games, but when such a facility would be useful to the local community.

Time and again, the governments of many Olympic host countries have had to face criticism from their own citizens after spending billions on sports facilities that cannot be put to good use after the games. However, in the case of Brisbane Cricket Ground, the controversy originates elsewhere…

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Losses for residents, athletes, even children

Australia's national cricket player Usman Khawaja has spoken openly about his great dissatisfaction with the stadium project, predicting a loss of AU$45 million over four years suffered by the Queensland State Cricket Federation if the Gabba is shut down for construction.

In addition, the planned expansion of the facility would force the expropriation of the site and the demolition of the 123-year-old heritage-listed school, which caused a huge outcry among residents. Our children criesaidd when it was announced that Brisbane would host the Games. We're not in a position to enthuse about the games if we feel like some handful of people are about to come here to tear our community to shreds because of some two-week event, said Daniel Angus, father of two pupils at the school in question.

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What was the initial idea?

The new stadium, with a capacity of 50 000 spectators, is to be the smallest major stadium for the Summer Olympics in many years. The project would be funded by the state and the state of Queensland.

After redevelopment, the venue should still be able to host cricket or Australian football. Along with the stadium, a promenade is to be built connecting it to a new underground agglomeration rail station. With the decision to redevelop the Gabba, the main venue for the Games will be located close to the city centre.