Before the first whistle echoes through Logan’s Olympic indoor stadium, as many as 225 koala habitat trees could already be gone, swallowed by a development that project documents say may remove up to 334 native trees in total.
About 0.88ha of koala habitat will be cleared and another 0.27has could be cut off from surrounding vegetation—an ecological impact spanning roughly the size of 19 regulation basketball-court areas, with no environmental offset proposed.
However, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the nine-court venue would transform sporting opportunities across the city.
“A nine-court venue capable of holding 7000 spectators will change the face of sport in Logan,” Mr Chalmers said.
He said it would make a real difference for thousands of kids.
“I’m so proud of the role the Albanese Government has played in making it a reality,” Mr Chalmers said.
The Australian Government is contributing $100.87 million, while Logan City Council has budgeted another $44.5 million for enhancements and additional works at the site behind the Logan Entertainment Centre at Logan Central.
Logan mayor Jon Raven said the environmental impact needed to be weighed against Logan’s shortage of indoor courts, with the city having only one for every 28,000 residents.
“This is much less than our neighbouring cities have,” he said.
“Community sports facilities provide significant social, health and wellbeing benefits that aren’t just about dollars and cents.”
After the Games, the centre will become a council-owned venue for community sport, schools and major events.
Cr Raven said the financial impact had been included in the council’s forecasts.
However, the council did not disclose its expected annual operating, maintenance or renewal costs—or whether ratepayers would cover any future shortfall.
“The estimated whole-of-life costs for the Logan Indoor Sports Centre have been incorporated into council’s long-term financial planning,” Cr Raven said.
“As a community, we’re incredibly excited to be part of the Games and a venue as versatile as this is guaranteed to be well loved by our fast-growing community.”
Council confirmed it was “closely involved” in the detailed business case being led by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority, known as GIICA.
Cr Raven said “a comprehensive assessment of potential locations” was undertaken before the Logan Central site was chosen.
“We looked at accessibility, functionality, environmental considerations, operational requirements and long-term community benefit,” Cr Raven said.
“Vegetation impacts will be mitigated through the relevant approval processes.”
A Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority spokesperson said the project would comply with the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and other applicable environmental requirements.
Ecological reports describe the site as fragmented urban habitat surrounded by roads, railway infrastructure, buildings and car parks.
No koalas were observed during surveys and the documents do not identify a resident or breeding population.
A 2026 survey found no evidence of koala use, but scats recorded in 2023 indicated “medium” or “normal” use within part of the habitat.
The proposed management measures include pre-clearing inspections, staged tree removal and wildlife spotter-catchers.
Clearing would stop if a healthy koala was found and the animal would generally be allowed to leave. Sick or injured koalas could be captured for treatment or relocation.
Those measures are intended to reduce the risk of animals being injured during construction, but they would not replace the feeding and movement habitat removed.
Design changes have shifted the stadium towards previously disturbed land and reduced its parking footprint.
About 0.7ha of native vegetation would remain.
The Games authority will deliver the stadium within its approved budget and manage construction costs, while the council’s additional contribution is intended to expand its community, sporting and events capacity.
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