Alan Patching says Queensland is lagging behind when it comes to delivery of key infrastructure for 2032 Olympic Games

Fears are growing that Queensland is lagging behind when it comes to the delivery of key infrastructure needed to ensure the 2032 Olympics leaves the legacy the state deserves. See what needs to happen

Fears are growing that Queensland is lagging behind when it comes to the delivery of key infrastructure needed to ensure the 2032 Olympics leaves the legacy the state deserves.

In recent weeks we’ve heard from Construction Skills Queensland and Hutchinson Builders expressing their concerns about how the state would deliver key Olympic projects alongside renewable energy and transport infrastructure amid a massive skills shortage.

That aligns with our recent research at Bond University, which found two-thirds of senior construction industry experts surveyed said Queensland’s progress on Olympic infrastructure planning and delivery was unacceptable.

We surveyed a cohort of senior engineers, architects, project managers, urban planners, contractors, quantity surveyors and others who service the construction and infrastructure industries.

Queensland Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Annastacia Palaszczuk during a press conference at the 2032 Legacy Forum. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

The majority of participants either strongly agreed or agreed that lack of accommodation and associated infrastructure remained a major concern regarding the Games, exacerbated by a shortage of construction professionals and tradespeople, combined with an inability to house incoming workers.

One participant said contractors would need to buy or build housing for the additional workers Olympic-related projects would require without swift change in the current accommodation market.

The most senior of participants all believed that delivering the necessary infrastructure for the Games would be a massive challenge on top of State Government projects including $9.8 billion in health projects – two-thirds in the southeast corner – and the $62 billion in sustainable energy infrastructure.

They agreed that delivering infrastructure and accommodation projects to cater for a rapidly increasing population during a period of construction resources shortage, continuing inflation and very low current accommodation vacancy rates would require collaboration across all levels of government and industry to reach a workable strategic solution.

Chandler Indoor Sports Centre - Image courtesy of Stadiums Queensland - Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games

Echoing fears by the Sunshine Coast mayor, all but one respondent strongly agreed or agreed that improved rail services should be prioritised with a dedicated express rail line from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast via Brisbane, but many felt it was already too late to deliver this in time for 2032.

One thing we found particularly surprising was how many very senior people declined to take part in the survey, even on an anonymous basis.

They could see the value in the research but expressed concerns about being seen by government agencies to be “biting the hands that potentially feed them”, even with assurances that not even the researcher would know who had provided which response.

But it seems their desire to see Queensland deliver an Olympic legacy we can all be proud of has outweighed initial fears as more people step up and speak out to spark much-needed change to get the Games on track.

Dr. Alan Patching is Director of Industry Engagement at Bond University, and a Professor of Construction Management and Project Management.

Alan Patching is a Professor of Construction and Project Management at Bond University and was Project Director for design and delivery of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Stadium

Originally published as Alan Patching says Queensland is lagging behind when it comes to delivery of key infrastructure for 2032 Olympic Games