A consortium of global architects and planners has proposed a $6-billion Olympic precinct in Northshore Hamilton, aiming to address the ongoing planning issues for the 2032 Games without adding any extra burden on taxpayers.
The Brisbane Design Alliance, a team of world-renowned architects, engineers, and planners, has developed a comprehensive proposal to transform Northshore Hamilton into a vibrant Olympic precinct. The Alliance includes several prominent firms, including HKS Architects, one of the key members.
HKS Architects, an international architecture firm led by Andrew Colling, is known for designing major stadiums like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys. They bring their expertise in large-scale sports venue design to the project, working alongside other firms in the Alliance such as Buchan (an Australian-based architectural firm), NRA Collaborative, Aurecon (an engineering and infrastructure advisory company), and Nikken Sekkei (a Japanese architecture firm known for its innovative designs).
An Ambitious Plan for Brisbane’s Future
The proposed development would feature a 60,000-seat waterfront stadium as the centrepiece of the precinct.
In addition to the stadium, the plan includes a hotel overlooking the venue, a 2500-apartment athletes’ village, pedestrian walkways along the river, an aquatic and wave pool centre, and a retail and restaurant hub.
The proposed Northshore precinct is designed for the Olympics and as a long-term solution to Brisbane’s urban growth. It aims to provide an unmatched mixed-use development in Queensland.
According to the Brisbane Design Alliance, the Northshore scheme is tailored to address the city’s projected population growth over the next 25 years. The project includes plans for an additional 12,000 residential dwellings around the precinct after the Games, providing a lasting legacy for the community. The consortium believes the precinct could be privately funded, similar to Perth’s Optus Stadium, built without direct government funding.
Transport and Infrastructure Challenges
A significant aspect of the Northshore proposal is the need for substantial transport infrastructure upgrades. The consortium has identified this as a critical issue that must be addressed to ensure the precinct’s success.
The proposed site, which spans 150 hectares between Bretts Wharf on Kingsford Smith Drive and the Royal Queensland Golf Club, requires improvements to the existing transport network, including train, bus, tram, and ferry services.
The proposal also includes the construction of public parkland and gardens to serve the expected 22,000 residents who will live in the area post-2032. A green pedestrian drawbridge over the Brisbane River, linking the precinct to Bulimba, is part of the project. If there is enough interest and support, this bridge could be pursued as a standalone project before the Games.
The Brisbane Design Alliance sees the Northshore precinct as an opportunity to create a world-class venue that reflects Brisbane’s identity and future growth. The team believes this project could provide a unique Brisbane 2032 Olympics experience while addressing the city’s long-term needs.
Commitment to QSAC Upgrade
Despite the innovative private sector proposal, the state remains committed to its plans for the 2032 Olympics. The state has already initiated a $1.6 billion upgrade to the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) at Mount Gravatt, with tenders for early planning and design work issued last week.
Minister Di Farmer, speaking on behalf of the state government, reiterated the government’s preference for publicly owned Olympic venues. She emphasised that the government’s vision for the Games is clear, including significant investment in social and affordable housing within the Northshore precinct.
The state promised to build 3,000 homes in the area, and recent contracts worth $87 million were awarded for road and civil works. However, the minister did not provide specific details about whether QSAC would be used for the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies.
However, the Brisbane Design Alliance remains hopeful that the state will reconsider its position, especially given the transport challenges currently plaguing the Northshore area.
The consortium is confident that with the necessary support from the state government, construction on the Northshore precinct could begin by early 2026, ensuring that the project is completed in time for the Olympics. They also proposed that the state provide the land required for the project, which is currently partly owned by the state, while the private sector handles the bulk of the funding and construction.
Updated 16-Oct-2024
