'Olympic legacy' for Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay’s $205 million Olympic and Paralympic indoor sports centre ticked virtually every box in a key review of Brisbane’s 2032 venues.

To be built at The Mill in Petrie, the centre was among scores of locations assessed by the Games Independent Infrastructure Co-ordination Authority (GIICA).

Its 100-Day Review was presented to the State Government earlier this month and the majority of recommendations accepted.

They included building Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre which "will create a legacy for the growing Moreton Bay community”.

“The project design has the flexibility to host the largest capacity Olympic or Paralympic indoor sports and provides options to meet Games Master Plan requirements," the Review said.

No “significant outstanding issues were identified” and the GIICA recommended the project “proceeds to procurement”.

GIICA said Council’s "provision of the land and enabling works for the project” is a “significant contribution to help secure this long-term community asset”. 

Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre was first identified in 2021 as a “nine-court venue” to host the Olympic boxing.

However, a 2024 Sport Venue Review recommended increasing it to 12 courts with a “Games-time capacity” of 10,000 spectators and “enhance the region’s capacity to host major events”.

This will also help meet increasing demand for sports facilities from Moreton Bay region’s fast growing population.

The 100-Day review says Council data reveals a current shortfall of 30 indoor sports courts, which could grow to 44 by 2041.

“Delivery of this venue would address this shortfall, allowing increased sport participation and economic growth with opportunities for event attraction,” the Review says.

The Mill is well serviced with rail and private vehicle transport but currently has limited bus and active transport options, says the Review.

“Increased services” will be needed to meet Games demand, though Petrie Station is likely to be on the proposed high-frequency Sunshine Coast to Gold Coast rail line by 2032.

“Event bus shuttle services will also be required to meet the expected Games demand, linking with a park ‘n’ ride facility at Petrie Station,” added the Review.