Brisbane 2032 Venue - Gold Coast is the Only Sensible Hockey Venue – Ballymore is a Waste of Money

Hockey Queensland and Hockey Australia (collectively, Hockey) have reinforced the call made by the sport in both its initial and supplementary submissions to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) that the Gold Coast Hockey Centre, the venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, is the optimal venue choice for the 2032 Olympic Games.

On Monday morning, Hockey Queensland hosted a Media Call at the State Hockey Centre with CEO Alison Lyons and Olympian and Olympic Coach Lee Bodimeade. 

Speaking with media, Hockey Queensland CEO, Ms Alison Lyons said, "Hockey Australia believes that the best location for 2032 is the Gold Coast. Now initially when the decision made for Ballymore, Hockey Queensland, in partnership with Hockey Australia, undertook a major infrastructure feasibility study which outlined the need for 7 additional synthetic turfs here in Brisbane. We have made a proposal to Government numerous times, that a new hockey centre needs to be built here in Brisbane, however after the 100-day Review Terms of Reference were released, hockey followed the guidelines for the Terms of Reference and have provided sensible decision to host the Olympic games at the Gold Coast."

“Hockey’s diligent, evidence-based analysis that has prioritised cost-effective, infrastructure-driven solutions - ensuring all facility investments made for the Games leave a meaningful legacy for Queensland.”

“Any decision in favour of Ballymore, a site that is fundamentally unsuitable for hockey, would represent an unjustifiable waste of taxpayer dollars.”

Tomorrow, Tuesday 25th March, Premier David Crisafulli will unveil his 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues and infrastructure plan at The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane Special Event.  It will be the most significant announcement for Brisbane since winning the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Thoughtful, Cost-Effective Plan That Delivers Legacy

Hockey has engaged in good faith throughout the venue review process, ensuring that its preferred option aligns with the Terms of Reference for the 10-Day Review in repurposing existing infrastructure to maximise cost savings and long-term benefits.

The Gold Coast Hockey Centre is the only venue that fits these criteria. 

The Gold Coast Hockey Centre successfully hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games and requires only minor upgrades to be Olympic-ready. It will deliver a lasting legacy, serving as a high-performance and community venue for decades to come.

It is a fiscally responsible choice that avoids unnecessary spending on temporary infrastructure. This is what Olympic venue planning should look like, every dollar spent contributing to both a successful Games and the long-term development of sport in Queensland.

Ballymore would be an Expensive Mistake

Any decision made to shift hosting hockey at Ballymore would be irresponsible and ignores the facts:

• the Ballymore precinct was underwater just two weeks ago, raising serious concerns about its viability as a playing venue;
• it lacks the necessary transport infrastructure and accessibility standards required for an Olympic hockey venue;
• unlike the Gold Coast venue, Ballymore fails to meet International Hockey Federation (FIH) venue requirements - meaning additional, costly modifications would be required; and
• the cost of “drop in rip out” hockey pitches at Ballymore will be in excess of $30M and is a straight-out waste for a temporary facility that will only be used for 14 days and provides no legacy for Hockey at all.

Ms Lyons said, “If Ballymore were a genuine and sensible option, then investors would have supported its redevelopment decades ago. But they haven’t. No-one wants to invest in a mud pit with atrocious transport connectivity where even local sporting clubs cannot get insurance due to the flood risk.

“This isn’t about sport versus sport - it’s simply about smart decision-making.

“Hockey has engaged with this process professionally and pragmatically. We’ve put forward a cost-effective solution that delivers both a successful Olympics and a lasting legacy. 

“We urge the GIICA and the Queensland Government not to invest in a $30+M mud pit that will only be used for 14 days and instead make sensible use of a re-purposed existing asset for a fraction of that cost,” Ms Lyons said.

Hockey Expects Investment if Ballymore is Forced Through

“We’ve been upfront from day one: Queensland needs more synthetic hockey fields. If there’s no permanent legacy venue for hockey out of Brisbane 2032, then there must be investment in long-term facilities elsewhere,” said Hockey Australia CEO, David Pryles.

Hockey will push for:

• upgrades to the State Hockey Centre in Brisbane to bring it up to modern competition standards;
• new synthetic fields in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to support growing participation numbers; and
• regional infrastructure funding to expand access to quality hockey facilities across Queensland.

“The work doesn’t stop with one Olympic venue decision,” Mr Pryles said.

“If the Queensland Government is serious about delivering a genuine Olympic legacy, then hockey infrastructure funding must be part of that commitment. Our participants are the Government’s constituents—they play on these fields every day. Investing in hockey is an investment in Queensland communities."

The Government Must Get This Right

Hockey Queensland and Hockey Australia urge the Queensland Government to formalise the Gold Coast as the Olympic venue for hockey in 2032, following the recommendations of 100-day Review.