The Queensland government says a development proposal to tie in the upcoming Cross River Rail proposal with Brisbane's Gabba sporting stadium has the potential to revitalise the ageing facility.
The government on Sunday announced $2 million for a business case for a pedestrian access bridge linking the Gabba to the current busway stop and the future site of the Cross River Rail stop at South Brisbane.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the integration of the iconic stadium into the Cross River Rail project was always part of their plans for the precinct.
"We know that there will be a return of government investment on this development, because there will be opportunities for residential, commercial and key worker accommodation development," Ms Trad said on Sunday.
Ms Trad said the eventual cost of the project was estimated at $100 million, but the tender process would allow the market to determine the final figure.
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The redevelopment would feature a raised pedestrian bridge over Main Street, cutting out the need for pedestrians to wait at multiple sets of traffic lights.
It would also involve a major redevelopment of the adjacent block including the old Landcentre and GoPrint sites, which will be used as marshalling areas for the Cross River Rail tunnel borers.
It's expected that redevelopment would be timed to coincide with the opening of Cross River Rail in 2024.
The Gabba has come under scrutiny in recent years for having sub-par facilities, which saw it recently relegated by Cricket Australia behind Perth and Adelaide's stadiums in the national pecking order.
State Sports Minister Mick De Brenni admitted the development plans announced on Sunday didn't specifically include an upgrade of the Gabba itself, but said it would allow it to happen in the future.
"Ultimately there is little point doing any of (the stadium upgrades) until we actually deal with the connectivity issue," Mr de Brenni said.
The minister confirmed they would also take naming rights for the Gabba to the market to see if there was interest.
He stressed any name change would include the word "Gabba" which he said was "iconic."
Cricket Australia Board member and former international player Michael Kasprowicz welcomed the announcement on Sunday, saying it put the Gabba on the path back to greatness.
"Whilst there's a couple of shiny new stadiums around the country I think the Gabba has to be up there," he said.
