Qld government reveals the cost of upgrading Brisbane's RNA showgrounds

The Queensland government has disclosed that upgrades to Brisbane's RNA showgrounds, set to enhance facilities ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games, will cost $278.5 million. This investment is part of a broader $3.5 billion commitment towards athletes' villages for the Games. Construction is slated to commence after this year's Ekka, maintaining the annual event's continuity until 2032.

Previously, the government had remained silent on the cost, labeling it as commercially sensitive. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie confirmed the budget adherence, stating the $287.5 million request from the RNA would be fulfilled via Hutchinson Builders' contract. The upgrades encompass revamping the 20,000-seat outdoor arena, enhancing the Machinery Hill grandstand, adding a multi-storey horse pavilion, and improving accessibility.

The state government has earmarked these upgrades as part of the $3.5 billion investment for athletes' villages, a move previously cloaked in secrecy. Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman criticized Bleijie's earlier assertion of a $7.1 billion venues funding envelope, deeming it alarming and concerning. Bleijie affirmed that the nearby Exhibition Station's operational status for 2032 Games is contingent on the International Olympic Committee's final decision, with the government prioritizing its readiness.

Additionally, the government announced plans for a 2,000-unit village adjacent to the arena to house up to 10,000 athletes post-Games, which will subsequently be converted into residential units. The RNA's CEO, Brendan Christou, emphasized the significance of these upgrades in ensuring the venue's longevity and accessibility, particularly for Paralympic athletes and legacy purposes.