Brisbane’s shape-shifting moment

Brisbane can finally start looking forward to its future with confidence and a surety that the right steps are in place to transform our once quiet town into a world-class destination. 

This week the city had its first real injection of Olympic positivity with premier David Crisafulli unveiling a clear roadmap towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond. The $7.1 billion venue capital works program has got the private sector humming as it’ll be called upon, along with numerous sporting codes, to assist in funding the event. 

The development of the Brisbane Live arena, once flagged for Roma Street, will be supported by a market-led process and built as a standalone project within a new-look Woolloongabba entertainment precinct next to the old Gabba (which will be demolished post-Games). This change is part of a wider reroute of Queensland’s Olympic venue strategy, which includes a new 63,000-seat main stadium and a new national aquatic centre at Victoria Park.

Crisafulli confirmed other projects will be delivered in a public-private partnership, with his government receiving multiple offers from the private sector to build the Brisbane Live arena. 

“I don’t fear that. I embrace that. And if there’s an opportunity with the stadium, well, that should be looked at,” he said.

“It makes a lot of sense, not just for taxpayers, but indeed, for people who want to get, who want to see cities become world-class cities.”

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are nothing new in regards to the delivery of Olympic infrastructure, as almost all of the 2028 LA Games will be rolled out with private money. It means faster action, a supply of funding and a smaller burden on the public purse.

Yet while Brisbane’s path to hosting a successful Olympics has been defined, it’s still far from smooth as the government faces opposition over its plans to build on the heritage-listed Victoria Park, and delays regarding the usual red tape surrounding approvals and construction.

I think one of the most passionate Queenslanders summed it up this week in a video the premier posted on socials. Renowned poet Rupert McCall can be heard saying, “we need to build for the decades to come”. This Olympics is so much more than about us, it’s about creating a legacy for generations of Queenslanders to be proud of.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the read.

Matt Lancashire