Brisbane Olympics Bombshells: Where Are We Going To Host The Games? Talking Tactics with Mel Pikos

[@Dougmc1964]

The Olympic Games in Brisbane is going to be a National embarrassment. They say the Gabba needs to be replaced so Victoria Park stadium made perfect sense.

[@electro_sykes]

the games will probably be cancelled. Brisbane is a dying city

[@georgematthews4894]

Wow! Haha your best video yet! Victoria park is the way to go. Miles is lost! QE2 in Nathan is a terrible idea. What about public transport??? Buses?

[@JamesFFiT]

Yep rapid bus transport it’s embarrassing for Australia.

[@melpikos8533]

Appreciate the support, George!

[@electro_sykes]

yeah well this state government actually believe that everyone will be getting around on them flying taxis. They need a reality check, but we all know they just want a car centric olympic legacy

[@MelPikos]

Appreciate the support, George!

[@will_274]

I like the idea of the new stadium, in the City but in my opinion the 55,000 capacity, is not world-class.

[@JamesFFiT]

Exactly, we want the big acts to come in the next 50 years.

[@will_274]

@@JamesFFiT100%

[@JamesFFiT]

Miles is a walley. Rapid bus service to mt Gravatt. How embarrassing.

[@melpikos8533]

I agree, minimum 70,000 seats!

[@rmar127]

55K is not even Australian class. Optus stadium holds 65K, Stadium Australia holds 82K and the MCG holds 100K. Hell it only just edges out the Adelaide oval and half of that place still has the old hill.

[@sanidad27]

Hell no to QEII. There goes my vote this year for the state gov. Instead of letting stupid idiots run the joint, let the public vote this one! This needs to be kept in the city! Not Boganville!

[@edwardbuck7233]

It's a ridiculous decision. We need a new stadium either at Victoria Park or a new Gabba.

[@melpikos8533]

Exactly, something better than QSAC!

[@MelPikos]

Exactly, something better than QSAC!

[@amalpaul3103]

I hope he comes to his senses, and accepts the futuristic proposal at Vic Park

[@melpikos8533]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@MelPikos]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@bman3074]

QSAC is the worst outcome of the lot.....lets hope someone with sanity steps in soon

[@Zacharyyyy89]

Report, after report, after report. If you're not going to give weight to an independent report, don't bother paying for one! As long as Brisbane live gets built, I don't care anymore. Going to Boondall for concert is freaking embarrassing. I was pumped for this Olympics and the infrastructure it would bring (et al South Bank), now I'm just over the bickering tbh.

[@jackren8471]

Brisbane Live on top of Roma St makes perfect sense, its served by all rail lines and the busway.

[@Jamese_145]

Absolutely disgraceful. What a terrible outcome. Miles needs to go, ignoring the independent findings and ruining any long term legacy from the games. I was a big supporter of us hosting the games, and now I’m not convinced. Either build us a new stadium at Vic-park or can it all together.

[@JamesFFiT]

Agreed. He’s shot himself in the foot now. Stupid decision.

[@melpikos8533]

October election can’t come quick enough!

[@MelPikos]

October election can’t come quick enough!

[@Gottrealty]

This tops the list as Queensland great twit Out doing Palasczek in stupidly I never thought I would ever see.

[@BrisbaneChannel]

I really am lost for words. What a debacle!

[@chrisryland]

Victoria Park is the better option for sure.

[@melpikos8533]

Agreed Chris!

[@MelPikos]

Agreed Chris!

[@jimbo9030]

Upgrade of QSAC is $1.6b for 1 weeks of use. It's other uses only requires the 1 existing grandstand, it will be the most expensive school athletics carnival venue in the world. But what we do know from this is the going rate for a stadium upgrade is $1.6b. So we add $1.6 for Suncorp and $1.6b for the Gabba because it's in desperate need for an upgrade. We then have $4.8b instead of the $3b for Vic Park and have nothing new to show for it. It's deadset like reading a comedy script 🤷

[@melpikos8533]

You make some very good points, Jimbo. I'll try and include these points in subsequent videos.

[@MelPikos]

You make some very good points, Jimbo. I'll try and include these points in subsequent videos.

[@JamesFFiT]

And there’s no heavy rail to transport anyone. Has he added in the cost of making that also work! Buses to QSAC is a joke it’s not 1982 anymore that was almost half a century ago. Wake up Brisbane let’s be a real city hosting a real event and make a stadium that will rival the MCG. They want to tear down the crappy Gabba. Don’t do a band aid upgrade it still won’t have full disability access! I bet they get pinged for that! It’s the whole mantra of the games by making it about the Paralympic’s as well - being accessible for all!

[@jeddwright]

effing shitshow. and yet predictable. miles was always going to do whatever he thought was politically favorable. the ENTIRE reason for the Olympics was legacy infrastructure. not a halfarsed budget games with a temporary athletics stadium in the middle of nowhere. by the looks of it, brisbane is going downnnn

[@JamesFFiT]

Agreed. Victoria park should have a new stadium. 😢

[@melpikos8533]

It’s a shame that someone in the job for 6 minutes is deciding our future!

[@MelPikos]

It’s a shame that someone in the job for 6 minutes is deciding our future!

[@electro_sykes]

@@MelPikos I feel like the planning for the 2032 games is very much been run like a dictatorship.

[@electro_sykes]

@@MelPikos maybe we need a referendum. Vote to either say yes to 2032, no to 2032 or yes, but instead of 2032, either 2036 or 2040 to give us more time

[@peterm4683]

QSAC is a horrible idea. I can’t believe it will be going ahead.

[@melpikos8533]

I'm still in shock.

[@electro_sykes]

well has the governments true colours been revealed. All they want is a car dependent legacy for the games

[@MelPikos]

I'm still in shock.

[@electro_sykes]

@@MelPikos They have turned the Olympics into a political tennis table and have just being serving different plans back and fourth. Maybe we should have created a proper plan with funding plans in place before they started bidding and actually got their shit together in the year following winning the bid, then we could be almost up to building stage. But they have turned this into a politcal debate. The government have no idea on where the stadiums are going, let a lone how they are going to transport mass loads of people around. If they don't get their shit together choose a plan and stick to it, then all the venues will still be under construction during the games. They may as well resort to my last resort Temporary shipping container stadium plan on that vacant parking lot at Hamilton. And set up a temporary athlete's village next door. Then after the games, they could sell it all off to the next host, and use that money to redevelop the site into mixed use development. A bit like what EXPO 88 did to South Bank. We could bring people in by express ferries and the Gold Glider and could also have Brisbane Metro go to the Airport via the Hamilton site. There is also the Doomben Train station not too far away, that line could get an overdue duplication upgrade and you can have shuttle buses going to the nearby car parks near Brisbane Airport. You could also improve road access to the new cruise terminal as well with a new Arterial road going from the Old Gateway/Gateway Bridge to the new Cruise Terminal.

[@ck867]

Miles is so shortsighted. If Quirk’s review is correct, we will need to completely refurbish/replace the Gabba by 2030, let’s call it 2040 best case. If the cost of this refurb/replacement, plus the refurb of QSAC is in the ballpark of a new stadium, why don’t we build a new Olympic stadium now that will have its own history and be a genuine legacy piece of infrastructure. Where is the $7 billion going to be spent given there’s no legacy infrastructure? Where is the legacy infrastructure for football given the code got nothing for the FIFA World Cup last year, and football is one of the most watched Olympic sports…

[@LachlanNicolson]

Love this channel

[@jackren8471]

I still think Gabba is the best choice. Brand new train station plus busway station. Also with the new Gabba PDA, we can build hotels and services around the new stadium. Vic Park is a good idea but lack of train station and ability to build infrastructure nearby is going to be a problem.

[@rollerbladingbrisbane]

Victoria Park is meant to be a space for lots of different uses - not just a mega stadium. It is a great park and like a set of lungs for a growing city in the same way that NYC has Central Park.

[@benjaminwebster8943]

Building a stadium in a public park what a great idea. All those parks sitting their being wasted with tree's and green space, when they could be made into amazing buildings. The Olympics is really important so it needs to be built in a park. Look at Mt Cootha just sitting there with nature... how dull when it could have zip lines. All the parks Brisbane has could be transformed into buildings. New Farm Park complete farce used by citizens when it could become a new residential zone. The legacy we squander now for the future residents, parks are finite once gone they are gone from the people of Brisbane forever.

[@Zacharyyyy89]

its 12% of the park, chill. If you want rolling hills, move to the country.

[@benjaminwebster8943]

​@@Zacharyyyy89 I dont think public parks should be used for vanity projects on a whim.

[@Zacharyyyy89]

@@benjaminwebster8943 an independent recommendation is hardly a whim? Also confused whose vanity you're referring to?

[@krushingkobra]

12% is just the footprint, a stadium woul dimpact the greenspace much more than just the foot print. @@Zacharyyyy89

[@robertkopp873]

The only infrastructure needed, housing. Build houses. Lots of houses, units. Focus on what is needed, not dreamy projects...

[@taeyoonsong2039]

I like QSAC. It’s a good location near Garden City shopping complex. It will fasten the development of the second CBD on the south side Brisbane. The current CBD has already reached its capacity (contained by Brisbane River).

[@James_15R]

Thanks Mel for the video! I completely agree that this was a huge opportunity for Brisbane's future now gone to waste. Miles is a weasel for ignoring the reports and doesn't have Brisbane's best interest at heart :(

[@will_274]

if we can’t build a legacy stadium for an Olympic Games in a good location. We never will. Sounds like we are getting shafted again.

[@melpikos8533]

Massive shafting indeed.

[@MelPikos]

Massive shafting indeed.

[@AUmarcus]

There's trouble in "paradise" 😆👍

[@B-tr9kz]

Improving Suncorp Stadium is a great idea

[@electro_sykes]

no space

[@B-tr9kz]

@@electro_sykes Just fill in the corners and replace the western stand. Should be able to get 60/65k in there.

[@electro_sykes]

@@B-tr9kz yeh but all those houses within that dense space.

[@rickneilsen906]

Did you know, the RNA Corporation actually Won the Contract to rebuild the Main Arena, as a replacement Stadium while the Gabba was being remodelled

[@adamjones1805]

I was in favour of Gabba 2.0 above Cross River Rail. However, I can get behind a brand new state of the art stadium at Victoria Park. But having canned that option, and using QSAC, as well as Suncorp? Terrible idea. Horrible idea. If they're estimating an additional 1 million people in the next 20 years. Then I say double it, to 2 million is more likely the real figure. Then in that case, a brand new state of the art stadium seating 75-80,000 is needed. Although with only 8 years to go, they better get a move on! Time is ticking.

[@krushingkobra]

My biggest objection to the Victoria Park stadium is the loss of greenspace. Greenspace is precious in a city, once it's gone you can (almost) never get it back. The "12%" footprint is ridiculous, a stadium would impact the greenspace much more than it's footprint. We've just spent how much money transforming Victoria Park into a great space that will be used for generations? Let's not waste that. A new stadium makes some sense, but quite frankly 3-4billion would be better spent on new rail lines and public transit to help solve Brisbane's traffic (instead of always adding more lanes which only worsens traffic). And I agree, 55k capacity is kind of pathetic. If you're going to spend that kind of money, make it count. Even an LNP government wouldn't go ahead with the Victoria Park stadium option IMO.

[@krushingkobra]

Also, the legacy of QSAC is not just in the venue itself, but in investing in transit in the region: "Investment at QSAC would also provide the opportunity to explore expanded transport links servicing not only the stadium but also Griffith University, the health precinct at QEII hospital, and the growing communities on the southside of Brisbane to provide additional legacy benefits"

[@JamesFFiT]

@@krushingkobra we’ve already invested in brand new rail stations to open next year and they choose the other location not serviced by either of them! As if they will build more rail to Nathan!

[@krushingkobra]

@@JamesFFiT I'm not suggesting new rail to Nathan specifically, but just new rail in general. CRR will help the current services but doesn't meaningfully expand the network. QSAC could be serviced by an extension or modification of the Southeast Busway. To quote the Lord Mayor today: "[W]e should first be pursuing transport solutions, not over-priced stadiums, as the main legacy of the Games."

[@JamesFFiT]

@@krushingkobra I am but a cost of living crisis apparently would be the excuse. The link to move people on the rail being built was all part of the bid originally. I agree we need transport solutions long term but it’s like we’re starting again. Now have to sort out the solution for Nathan is all I mean. One step forward two steps back. It also a loooooog way to Hamilton north shore from there for athletes.

[@jamessteely]

thanks Mel, Great commentary as always. I hope they get their shit together.

[@melpikos8533]

Fingers crossed, James!

[@MelPikos]

Fingers crossed, James!

[@ChristopherStrong-sv4vy]

Time for the delivery 🚚 of the games!!

[@jaime1565]

Premier has it wrong. This isn’t good enough. This was our opportunity to shine a light on brisbane Internationally and have something that will help out tourism, sport etc for the next 30+ years. Its time to vote this wanna be premier out!

[@Wearegoingtogetdowntotheroad1]

Just wondering why don’t they pave Toohey forest park and bulldoze QSAC to completely build an Olympic park just like Sydney.

[@bnehs8802]

I was never a fan of Miles but I can't disagree with his decision too much here. Everyone's throwing the word "infrastructure" around like stadiums are the reason it exists - but I think a lot of citizens were sold on the idea of the games and it's infrastructure being more than just $7B of stadiums. I certainly didn't expect that we'd have nothing to show for it other than this, and at the end of 2032 the average person trying to get to work wouldn't even have a new footpath to use. If all the money sunk into some games doesn't come with any new transit at all, I'm out. Stop wasting our money and take the budget option.

[@taylorgrey1219]

Proceeding with the Nathan proposal would be a grave mistake for Brisbane, setting the city back and making it uncompetitive against Sydney and Melbourne. Surprisingly, the review finally seemed to make sense, as I could envision the future benefits it could bring to the city and community. However, the bombshell is that it appears to be driven by political greed and perhaps personal ambition.

[@krushingkobra]

Another thought: If the main purpose of a new Olympic stadium post games is to host professional AFL/cricket matches, as well as private sector concerts, why is the private sector not contributing to the costs of the stadium? It's how it's done in the rest of the world...

[@ItzWindyyy]

QEII stadium biggest issue is PT capcity. Sure it can have a SE busway branch line to cooper plains stn via QEII & Griffith Uni Nathan Campus

[@melpikos8533]

Imagine it taking over 2 hours just to leave the stadium. We will be the laughing stock of the globe.

[@MelPikos]

Imagine it taking over 2 hours just to leave the stadium. We will be the laughing stock of the globe.

[@ItzWindyyy]

@@MelPikos wonder if BEC can be repurposed into a Indoor Sports Centre? BEC complex is pretty much a recreation area. Dunno what size ISC will need usually

[@electro_sykes]

@@MelPikos We could build an elevated rail line from salisbury to QEII and then onward to an interchange to metro at garden city

[@RogerMcDoger]

Your comments towards the end I couldn’t have said better myself. Personally I think either the Gabba or Vic park would both be infinitely times better especially when cross river rail can serve either of them directly

[@melpikos8533]

Appreciate the support, Roger.

[@MelPikos]

Appreciate the support, Roger.

[@AUmarcus]

Queensland hasn't got a clue.

[@geoffreyhansen8543]

If Brisbane doesn't have the money for new stadiums what about holding some of the events in regional Queensland or even in the former Olympic facilities in Sydney and Melbourne.

[@timfreeman2603]

Should go well with the railway that gets 90% of the way to an athletes village in Maroochydore.

[@JamesFFiT]

And yet hes chosen the crap option with crap public transport and didn’t listen to the review! I always said put it at Victoria Park where there is motorways, train and bus. Idiot Miles - because of cost?!? Political BS. Miles said in his press conference exhibition station won’t be open during the games, what is he on about it will be open next year!

[@melpikos8533]

Why order the review in the first place if he had already made his mind up!

[@MelPikos]

Why order the review in the first place if he had already made his mind up!

[@JamesFFiT]

@@MelPikos I reckon. I’d be so annoyed if I was Graeme and the team. It will need heavy rail those stupid metros won’t be enough to move enough people quickly and they won’t build a rail tunnel across to Mt Gravatt we all know that it’s not in ‘the envelope’. I get the new mantra for the games, but we don’t have a suitable main venue. As someone else stated it’s about value, not solely cost. We need a legacy stadium like those in Europe or Sth America to host real events and be able to have 80,000 or 100,000 like the MCG. The olympics is one such event and we will have the stadium for the next 50-100 years!!! Buses to Nathan is a national embarrassment like it’s the 1982 regional sports carnival that Miles probably never got to compete in 😂

[@TOTN17]

@@MelPikos To be fair to Miles he did accept the rest of the recommendations in the review

[@wooksterific]

Miles has always been a plonker. This proves it. Good chance this will be one of the worst presented games in history 🤦‍♂️

[@scoopoonesix]

Absolutely the new stadium at VIC Park is the way forward. The labor government are making a meal of this, deflecting blame on cost of living crisis and housing shortages - which are nation wide issues that need to be dealt with separately, as would be the case with any other issues that arise between now and the games

[@cameronpetie8318]

This review seems like a smart and intelligent proposal. As you would expect. Yet, Steve Miles says no?!! The same review he implemented?! I can't wait for my vote in October. We need a legacy stadium. The Olympics is too important. We should respect it.

[@jimmyboy2]

QSAC is dead. How does the premier think spending $1.6 billion on somewhere that cannot be accessed is better? Its surfaced that QSAC needs at least another $500 million on transport so $2.1 billion. Miles says swimmers cannot change his mind because billions more needs spending... that's wrong. The premier has put $500 million into Suncorp and the Gabba which is a combined $2.6 billion. So it's not more billions, it's the same amount. I reckon Palaszczuk was right. Rebuild the Gabba and make it at minimum 65k seats. No need for more infrastructure as the Metro, bus, and heavy rail is already there.

[@JamesFFiT]

I exactly rhats the point! Particularly heavy rail but the Gabba site is so small and congested which is why we would use ‘some of the land’ at Victoria park and build a massive stadium. They could build it up above the ICB for crying out loud they did that in Paris!!! Cricket and AFL would also use it, Gabba can be demolished when end of life and sold off for development or parkland for that matter to replace what was taken at Victoria park! Also serviced by bus and rail.

[@thebarebroker]

Unbelievable!

[@theokleoudis4967]

I thought QSAC was a better venue (when rebuilt properly) than the gabba, but after looking at the vic pk proposal (though stadium needed to be bigger) and the independents committee review, it seemed Vic pk was tbe best option. Miles emtotive language suggests QLD ers won't support it as too expensive. He is obviously using this opportunity to seek votes and that is disgusting. I thought the qld govt would have sat on the review for a while doing its own research into and garner the publics reaction. Man child miles made the decision so quickly it siggests ur was premeditated, particularly after the voter back lash after the election. Pure arrogance.

[@thewetwombat7726]

I somewhat disagree about the Gabba being an eye sore, and for me it’s one of the best stadiums in Australia. Awesome atmosphere for the AFL. Unique conditions for test cricket that made it thoroughly entertaining and gave the Brisbane test a true identity much like the perth test. So initially I hated the Gabba demolition but eventually came around to Victoria park. But QSAC? What haha, don’t want to be harsh but after the games what’s it going to there for? Are they going to relocate cricket and AFL there? If so, bad idea, but if not, then what purpose will it serve apart from the odd athletics tournament. Atleast with Victoria park it would have still served afl and cricket which are huge draws

[@conorchristmas6844]

Vote labour out! The LNP will go with the new stadium in Victoria Park.

[@lachiemears]

Victoria park upgrade would have definitely benefited Brisbane for years to come… disappointing result

[@electro_sykes]

why not build the sphere as brisbane live

[@davidhallinan6696]

New stadium at Hamilton Northshore has my full support! Easy enough to get to. Easy to reconnect public transport with the train line and Kingsfordsmith Drive also right near the airport. Gabba is a a horrible place for a stadium period. and Victoria Park is just too close to Suncorp. I think Northshore is by far the best option (not that it matters what I think 😂)

[@MrDivineRight]

Childish Little 👶 Steven, this justifies why he is just a puppet, who is really 💵 controlling this child. 🤬

[@littereverywhere]

I'd rather be a laughing stock than live in your visions.

[@TBird89]

Big mistake QLD don’t become like the communist state like Victoria you’re better than that. If you build it they will come... QLD will have so many people migrating there over the next 15/20 yrs you have to build infrastructure and sporting venues now it’s part of applying for the Olympics and what people will need. Like Sydney SEQ will be on the international map if this is done right. The Premier now was the planning minister who still hasn’t approved the new zoning upgrades in QLD and if he does this will ease housing pressure due to builders being able to build the money generated through taxes coming from construction will pay for the new infrastructure and leave plenty in the bank over the next 8 yrs. Wake up Premier.

[@lexchambers8329]

why are they building such a big railway station at the Gabba if they are not going to use it for the Olympics or cricket or afl, at least leave the Gabba alone for cricket and build a new stadium Vic park or Roma St where are you going to put the Athlete village etc

[@JamesFFiT]

It’s at bloody Hamilton north shore! Not even extending doomben line there or metro there yet. Hurry up and talk about the athletes village and those plans for transport. They should be building it at NATHAN if QSAC is the main athletics field, then it can be used as student accommodation for Griffith uni after the games.

[@TOTN17]

Your LNP Mate Crisafulli has also rejected Victoria Park

[@scoopoonesix]

Yes he’s doing that so to not ruin his chances of getting in come October, he did say an independent infrastructure body would be appointed who would do a full review and make the decisions without interference, this could be the way forward! Cut out the politics and do what the experts are recommending

[@pascal7468]

It’s obviously a political move!!

[@Pops1948]

Money could be spent on housing and more important projects than a stadium

[@moonmc1047]

It is the Olympic Games. You don't want to build the stadium why bother wanting to host ?

[@Pops1948]

@moonmc1047 exactly, it was all about big-noting the previous premier

[@74Spartan]

So who is paying for all this??? What a joke……. Aussie government should focus on many other issues in its back yard

[@wtfa2910]

Brisbane without the Olympics is for the best

[@TBird89]

You must be a communist.

[@shortuf0]

This video read like an LNP press release. You should rename your channel ‘Playing Politics’. Miles didn’t tear up the review at all. If anything, he brought the findings in line with the ‘new norms’ that the IOC is in favour of, and made better use of existing stadium infrastructure. 27 of the 30 recommendations were accepted, and the three that were rejected didn’t make fiscal sense. Victoria Park would have ballooned costs way beyond the existing funding commitments… the whole point of the review was to find a more cost-effective option. The maths of spending billions on new stadiums and demolishing the Gabba, an icon of Brisbane, doesn’t add up for regular people. The only way you could possibly consider this a bad decision during our current cost of living crisis is if you and your mates would stand to benefit directly from development opportunities that arise thanks to big flashy government spends. It’s a perverse position to take when more people are homeless and housing insecure in this city than ever before in history. Brisbane will never be great while its residents struggle to put a roof over their heads.

[@Zacharyyyy89]

There's a difference between 'cost' and 'value'. The Vic Park build and Brisbane Live will create long lasting legacy infrastructure serving the city for many years (like South Bank developed at a large cost from the World Expo). QSAC is a literal waste of money. The whole point isn't spending money on the Olympics, but infrastructure for Brisbane that will also benefit the Olympics. Also, this cost of living crisis is temporary. I don't think it wise making infrastructure decisions lasting decades on a current economic climate which will last years (if less). If anyone is playing the political cycle its you.

[@melpikos8533]

$1.6b for a Suncorp upgrade and $1.6b for QSAC upgrade, both of which will blow out enormously, is your idea of great government spending? You need to start living in the real world buddy. The 3 key decisions that mattered weren't listened to, the other 27 is playing around the edges. Time to learn some critical thinking skills.

[@sirivia7208]

​@@Zacharyyyy89"""legacy""" means nothing. Something that serves no purpose other than for us to say 'hey we held the Olympics there', and the occasional big concert? When we already have good stadiums with good capacity? The type of infrastructure that actually creates a legacy and has a real impact on everyone's life is mass public transport. That's what they should be focused on.

[@MelPikos]

$1.6b for a Suncorp upgrade and $1.6b for QSAC upgrade, both of which will blow out enormously, is your idea of great government spending? You need to start living in the real world buddy. The 3 key decisions that mattered weren't listened to, the other 27 is playing around the edges. Time to learn some critical thinking skills.

[@shortuf0]

@@Zacharyyyy89 The value of spending billions on ‘legacy’ stadiums is extremely contestable, and arguably non-existent for anyone other than elite athletes and property developers. It’s why no other city wanted to host the Olympics other than Brisbane. And we submitted our bid on the basis that we would reuse the vast majority of our existing sporting facilities. The IOC is in favour of this outcome, because they’ve seen how the long term negative effects of the Olympics on London and Rio made the prospect of hosting the games extremely unappealing. We could be getting way better long term value from mass transit or public/social housing investment than another stadium to replace an older one we decided to knock down. It’s likely the crisis isn’t going away anytime soon (ie. in the next 10 years) without a dramatic shift in policy direction on all levels (especially if we’re referring to housing…), and it’s only going to get worse if spending on the Olympics continues to balloon. In 2032 we’ll ask why nothing has been done about all the homeless people on our streets during the games and the answer from the government will be something along the lines of “we don’t have enough in the budget”. The Olympics was a fiscally irresponsible move from Labor in the first place, but if we’re going to host it, we should follow the IOC guidelines and do it on the cheap. It’s probable that this will add the greatest value to the city anyway.