As the final Ekka crowds leave the Brisbane showgrounds on Sunday night, demolition crews will move in within days, marking the beginning of a major transformation of the historic precinct.
Within a week of the Royal Queensland Show wrapping up its 150th exhibition, the old Machinery Hill stand, Stockman’s Bar and some horse stalls will be demolished, making way for a new 20,000-seat main arena, a new horse pavilion and a rebuilt grandstand.
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Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) chief executive Brendan Christou said the new horse pavilion will replace the ageing horse stalls which have reached “their end of life”.
“We’re creating a new multi-storey horse pavilion where our horses will be stabled for the next 150 years,” Christou told 7NEWS.
The three-level pavilion will also bring back one of the show’s familiar watering holes, with Stockman’s Bar planned for its rooftop.
“The new Machinery Hill to replace the old stand, that’s going to be bigger and better than ever and we can’t wait for that to open in probably 2028,” he said.
The redevelopment will also improve accessibility, including at the heritage-listed stands.
The $287.5 million transformation is part of the Brisbane 2032 Athletes Village project.
RNA chief executive Brendan Christou explains how the ageing horse stalls will be demolished and replaced with a new multi-storey horse pavilion, with modern stabling for horses at the showgrounds. Credit: 7NEWS
Machinery Hill at the Brisbane Showgrounds will be demolished after this year’s Ekka to make way for a new grandstand. Credit: 7NEWS
The ageing Machinery Hill stand will be demolished after this year’s Ekka, making way for a larger new grandstand expected to open in 2028. Credit: Queensland Government
The Showgrounds will become home to about 10,000 athletes and officials during the Olympics, with about 1800 apartments planned. After the 2032 Games, they are intended to become permanent housing.
“The early works will fire the starter’s gun on the Brisbane Showgrounds’ transformation for 2032 and beyond,” Premier David Crisafulli said.
The Ekka will continue while construction is under way, although there will be no Exhibition at the Showgrounds in 2032 when the precinct is occupied by the athletes. Temporary grandstands will be used during construction.
For the RNA, preserving the character of the 150-year-old show is just as important as building new infrastructure.
Historical artefacts are being collected before construction so they can be incorporated into the new precinct.
“We know we’re here for a very small time in the history of the RNA and, you know, in two years’ time or thereabouts, we’ll open the gates for the Ekka and people will see these new facilities and then, of course, we’ll be well and truly ready for the 2032 Games,” Christou said.
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The RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane is undergoing a $287.
The RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane is undergoing a $287.
Parts of the Brisbane Showgrounds are set for major redevelopment as the precinct prepares for the 2032 Olympics. Credit: Queensland Government
The upgraded arena is also intended to give the Showgrounds a life beyond the annual show, with the RNA flagging potential events including AFL and cricket.
The broader redevelopment is designed to connect the precinct with the new Victoria Park stadium and aquatic centre.
For Christou, the goal is simple: make sure the traditions drawing Queenslanders to Bowen Hills for 150 years can continue for another century and a half.
“We’re setting the Ekka up for the future,” he said.
“We’re really excited. I mean, this is the people’s show.”
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