Claims a $1 billion Brisbane Olympics stadium redevelopment is being delayed by the federal government has undermined the promised benefits of the event, Queensland's opposition leader says.
David Crisafulli was responding to reports the Queensland government's intention to reveal the plans for the Gabba redevelopment by Christmas had been thwarted by negotiations with the Commonwealth.
Mr Crisafulli said the Queensland government was risking the 2032 Olympics being "about red carpets and champagne" rather than securing a once-in-a-generation chance for new infrastructure.
"We were told that a plan would be delivered in a matter of weeks, in November. We are still waiting on a coordination authority for infrastructure and what that would do is prevent the Olympic being an vanity exercise; it would be about delivering infrastructure," Mr Crisafulli said on Friday.
"You need to get all levels of government on the same page and that authority would be a key part of it. The fact that it has not happened yet is disturbing."
The Gabba redevelopment was announced by the Queensland government in April last year with the aim to add 50,000 seats to the stadium south-east across the river from Brisbane's CBD. The funding would be split 50-50 with the federal government.
Acting Queensland Premier Steven Miles has denied any delay caused by the Commonwealth but said the change in government at the last federal election had slowed negotiations.
"We will continue to finalise those plans for the Gabba. The crucial component, of course, is negotiating the intergovernmental agreement with the Australian government," Dr Miles said.
"Once we have progressed those talks, we will able to outline more of the detail of our plans for the Gabba."
The office of federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King was contacted for comment but was unable to respond before publication.
