Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner says the Queensland Government’s new vision for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will see the city transformed into the sporting capital of Australia, “a place where people come for the sport and concerts but stay for the sunshine”.
With a world-class stadium and aquatic centre, Victoria Park will become Queensland’s centre stage – a place where green turns into gold during the four weeks of the Games, said the Lord Mayor.
Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli today unveiled the 2032 Delivery Plan, which he said delivers a clear roadmap towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
The Plan outlines how a $7.1 billion venue capital works program will allow the Games to reach beyond Brisbane and enable Queensland to benefit from the legacy for years after 2032.
After a process which has included a 100 Day Review, expert-led assessments of infrastructure and transport, stakeholder consultation and community input, from today, the 2032 Delivery Plan will be put into action and delivered by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority.
South East Queensland will see major developments to ensure that it is connected and event-enabled in time for the Games, including:
- New Brisbane Stadium (render pictured) to be delivered at Victoria Park, as part of a world-class Games precinct;
- New National Aquatic Centre at Spring Hill to transform the Centenary Pool site;
- Transformed RNA Showgrounds with an upgraded Main Arena and Athlete Village, which will be converted to permanent housing after the Games;
- Upgraded Queensland Tennis Centre expanded to include a new permanent show court and 12 new match courts;
- Upgraded Chandler Sporting Precinct into a dedicated Para-sport community facility;
- New Athlete Villages to be delivered on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast;
- Improved transport network with new rail lines and stations, northern and eastern Brisbane bus corridors, upgrades to the M1, faster rail from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, and The Wave, with a rail line running from Beerwah to Birtinya linking with metro services all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport, through Maroochydore.
To maximise the Games for the State, the 2032 Delivery Plan turns regional Queensland cities into Olympic and Paralympic cities through generational infrastructure including:
- Barlow Park, Cairns upgraded to increase seating capacity and spectator facilities;
- Rowing infrastructure on the Fitzroy River to host rowing and canoe sprints;
- Toowoomba Showgrounds to transform into an Equestrian Centre of Excellencel
- Bruce Highway, Brisbane to Cairns critically upgraded to improve safety, flood resilience and capacity, including the Tiaro Bypass, Rockhampton Ring Road and Goorganga Plains;
- Cairns Western Arterial Road, upgraded between Redlynch Connector Road and the Captain Cook Highway, improving travel times and reliability.
Lord Mayor Schrinner said the decision to deliver the Brisbane Arena with private funds was a “win/win – it’s a win for Brisbane and a win for taxpayers”.
“Queenslanders will finally get an inner-city entertainment venue to replace Boondall while freeing up Federal funding for other important projects in Brisbane.
“I want to thank Premier Crisafulli for having the courage and strength of leadership to make the right decisions for Queensland today.”
The Lord Mayor said hosting the Games was never about sporting venues alone, it was also about bringing forward better transport.
“It was about fast-tracking important projects to deliver a lasting transport legacy for our growing region.”
“With Federal Government support, we’ve already invested billions of dollars into projects like Brisbane Metro, road upgrades and new bridges that will be critical to moving people around during the Games.
“We’ve outlined a further 18 initiatives in our Race To Gold: Brisbane’s Games Transport Legacy plan that will deliver a lasting transport legacy.
“With the plan for venues locked in, the critical next step will be delivering a proper mass transport plan.
“Brisbane was declared a winner nearly four years ago when the International Olympic Committee announced we would host the 2032 Games. Today, Queensland is a winner thanks to this strong plan for venues.
“We now need all levels of government working together to deliver a transport legacy that will benefit Greater Brisbane and beyond for generations to come,” he said.
Premier David Crisafulli said the 2032 Delivery Plan had been set through a clear process, which would now be implemented to deliver a Games Queenslanders would be proud of.
“To host the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and we’ll make it count for Queensland with a lasting legacy,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“Transport, infrastructure, tourism and grassroots sport will all be part of the lasting legacy for a Games we can all be proud of.
“We now have the gameplan for 2032 and beyond, and it’s time to put it into action.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said the Games needed to be backed by the right infrastructure.
“Queensland needs to deliver the right projects, in the right places to host the Games and leave a positive legacy across the State,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“The process to set the Plan included a 100 Day Review, assessments and consultation with stakeholders to strike a balance between building new infrastructure and amplifying what we already have available.
“The 2032 Delivery Plan delivers legacy beyond the games with the largest infrastructure investment in Queensland’s history.”
