In the middle of a housing crisis, Queenslanders deserve more than spin. The Gabba Ward Councillor Trina Massey has hit back at today's State Government announcement regarding the Gabba Entertainment and Housing Precinct on the 9 hectare publicly owned site, saying the Government is dressing up early site works as major progress while failing to answer the questions that matter most to our community.
The Greens are calling on the State Government to create binding targets for social and affordable housing, and to keep the 9 hectare site in public hands.
The Gabba East and Gabba West sites will be sold or leased to private developers, with no commitment to social or affordable housing. For residents of the Gabba Ward, one of Brisbane's densest and fastest growing communities, the gap between the Government's actions and the reality on the ground is stark. With Queensland in the grip of a housing crisis, serious questions are mounting about whether this project will deliver any meaningful benefit for the thousands of Queenslanders struggling to find a home they can afford.
With over $10 billion of public spending, the 2032 Brisbane Olympics represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape Brisbane with better public transport, a greener environment, and genuinely affordable homes. The Gabba precinct sits at the heart of that opportunity but only if governments prioritise the public interest over private gain.
Cr Trina Massey Greens Councillor for the Gabba Ward said:
“The LNP continues to show who it’s working for, and it’s not everyday Queenslanders.
“At the height of a housing and affordability crisis, this announcement puts developer interests front and centre.”
“This looks less like a public legacy and more like a private development deal on public land.”
“Queenslanders are being told an entertainment venue is the solution to a housing crisis”
“Calling it a housing project doesn’t make it one. Where is the guarantee of genuinely affordable homes? The answer is there is none”
Michael Berkman, Greens MP said:
“LNP are using the Olympics as cover to sell 9 hectares of public land, with zero public or affordable housing, and zero guaranteed public green space.
“Privatisation makes developers rich, but it’s a bad deal for Queenslanders.
“The Greens and local residents saved East Brisbane State School from destruction, and now we’re pushing for public homes and public parks on this public land.