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Making the most of the Games with a 10-year planning runway
On 21 July 2021 Brisbane was announced as the Host City for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accelerate long-term planning and boost investment for one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.
The digital age has turned the Olympic and Paralympic Games into a global broadcasting phenomenon, with Brisbane 2032 set to be the largest Games ever staged in Australia and perhaps the world. Brisbane now has a 10-year planning runway to align event preparations with long-term regional priorities, including achieving critical infrastructure to support South East Queensland’s anticipated population growth from 3.7 million to 5.4 million by 2041.
The vision for Brisbane 2032 is to create a legacy for the people of Queensland and Australia by leveraging the Olympics as the catalyst to enhance social, economic and environmental outcomes. This long-term planning is providing the certainty and confidence needed to trigger increased investment and unlock innovation beyond anything the state of Queensland has ever before seen.
For Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Brisbane 2032 is a golden opportunity for Queensland. “These Olympics will be transformational for our state, turbocharging the Queensland economy with $8.1 billion in economic and social benefits and 91,600 full-time equivalent jobs, Premier Palaszczuk said.
“Much of our infrastructure is in place, is under construction, or is in our 10-year pipeline to deliver the games, which will also mean a decade of new opportunities that will drive our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan forward.
“Queensland will be the focus of international attention in the lead-up to and during the 2032 Games, and government, industry, business, and the communities will be united to ensure we deliver the best games ever.”
Brisbane 2032’s value proposition is to harness the opportunity to deliver economic benefits over a 20-year period – 10 years leading up to the Games, the Games themselves, and then 10 years afterwards to 2042. This is forecast to deliver more than $8 billion in benefits to Queensland, including $4.6 billion in tourism and trade and $3.5 billion in social benefits including increased community health and wellbeing, and civic pride.
The Brisbane 2032 proposal was based on upgrades and expansion of public transport infrastructure already planned and underway, such as the transformative Cross River Rail project, and other planned upgrades that are forecast to increase system-wide capacity of more than 50,000 passengers per hour per direction. Works are already underway to increase road and rail capacity and connectivity throughout South East Queensland by 2032, and discussions are occurring between funding partners to examine opportunities to bring forward additional transport infrastructure in time for the Games.
Brisbane 2032 already has a significant portion of venue infrastructure and facilities in place for the Games, with 84 per cent existing or temporary. The Australian Government has committed to a 50:50 contribution with the Queensland Government towards the venue infrastructure required ahead of the Games. Six new venues will be developed, and some venues are set to receive important upgrades to meet longterm growth demands, including fostering the next generation of elite athletes. All three levels of government will continue to work together in refining the venue delivery program to ensure the best possible athlete and spectator experience, as well as ensuring legacy benefits for current and future generations.
One of the most significant legacies expected from Brisbane 2032 will result from infrastructure created to accommodate more than 16,000 athletes and officials during the Olympic Games and around 8000 during the Paralympic Games. The main athlete’s villages will be located in Brisbane’s Northshore Hamilton and Robina on the Gold Coast. Satellite villages will also be located on the Sunshine Coast and at Kooralbyn. The villages will be developed to support the Games, but with much longer-term planning considerations in mind, including strong connections to supporting road and transport infrastructure and providing a range of dwelling types to accommodate South East Queensland’s growing population.
A key feature of the venue delivery program will be the works to upgrade The Gabba to increase spectator seating to 50,000, making it the largest oval stadium in Queensland. Located alongside the new Cross River Rail, this will be an exciting transformational project in Brisbane’s inner city for its ability to support capacity crowds. In addition, new venues will be developed including the 17,000 seat Brisbane Arena located in the heart of Brisbane and four indoor sports centres in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Chandler and the Sunshine Coast to support the next generation of community and elite sport.
Perhaps one of the most exciting opportunities is the flow-on benefits that the international Games spotlight will bring. The Games will position Queensland and Australia as a global destination and tourism hub in the Asia Pacific Region. It is hoped this enhanced brand and increased awareness will help grow the economy through increased tourism and trade. This presents an opportunity to enhance partnerships and collaboration with the private sector to capitalise on future growth opportunities and as a mechanism to aid in our recovery from COVID-19.
