Brisbane to get new 17,000 seat indoor arena, as Brisbane Live precinct gets go-ahead

Brisbane is to get a new $450 million 17,000-seat indoor arena which will host international concerts and sports events.

It will be part of the $2 billion Brisbane Live entertainment precinct which the caretaker Labor Government green-lighted yesterday (November 12) as part of the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail.

Brisbane Live has also already been given the thumbs-up in principle by the Opposition Liberal Nationals, so its future does not hinge on the results of this month’s Queensland elections.

Brisbane Live is a proposal put forward by Harvey Lister, CEO of major venues operator AEG Ogden.

The indoor arena will have a sliding front wall that opens to reveal live acts on stage, as well as a 4000-capacity live music venue and an amphitheatre and giant screen catering for around 15,000.

The complex will include restaurants, bars and multiplex cinemas.

The entertainment precinct will be delivered by AEG Ogden and the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.

Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad said Labor wanted to create a world-class city through visionary development and an integrated and modern public transport system.

“Brisbane Live is proposed for a location that is right in the heart of the current Roma Street precinct, which is an underutilised area in proximity to key destinations like Caxton Street, the Paddington Barracks and Suncorp Stadium,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government’s decision to fully fund the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project creates further momentum for Brisbane Live because the new underground Roma Street station will enable a whole precinct of redevelopment and revitalisation.

“We have been working very closely with Harvey Lister to make sure we create the best entertainment and integrated transport precinct in Australia.”

Lister said of yesterday’s developments, “It’s very encouraging that the Government appears to have recognised the potential for Brisbane Live to be an activator that could eventually see the whole Roma Street precinct become an exciting part of the state’s capital city.”

The new precinct is similar to that of New York’s Madison Square Gardens and Melbourne’s Federation Square.

Both are built above rail lines occupied valuable previously-unused space.

In this case, Roma Street is connected to every rail line in the SEQ rail network.

The plan will allow thousands of music fans and sports spectators, as well as other patrons to the bars and restaurant, to be moved in and out of the CBD in minutes.