Future Brisbane: Legacy priorities for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Brisbane’s traffic congestion could be on a par with Los Angeles and London within 10 years without serious investment in transport options, experts have revealed. It comes as the city recently experienced its “biggest traffic day ever”.

Brisbane’s traffic congestion could be on track with Los Angeles and London by the time the 2032 Olympic Games takes place, without significant transport investment.

Speaking at Friday’s Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane series, Transurban chief executive Scott Charlton shared modelling showing the city’s traffic levels were predicted to climb to be on par with some of the world’s most congested.

“Our traffic modelling predicts the Brisbane congestion rating would reach 31 per cent by 2031,” he said.

“And I know that maybe doesn’t sound like a big number, but that’s just a couple of points below Rome, London and LA, where congestion levels are currently around 33 per cent.”

Brisbane could be in the grip of LA-style gridlock without serious investment in transport infrastructure. Picture: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

Such a climb would also put Brisbane on track to have congestion levels similar to that of Brazil’s Sao Paulo – a metro region home to more than 22 million people.

Mr Charlton also revealed Queensland had its “biggest traffic day ever” last Friday, which he said was a combination of multiple factors including schoolies on the Gold Coast.

And while he said as chief executive of a road transport company, car use was “good for business”, securing the liveability of the city and the region was vital.

“The most productive, liveable cities have efficient transport networks and integrate roads and public transport to meet demand,” Mr Charlton said.

“So taking into account forecasts and data like this, I believe there is more to think about and if any other major project development would be considered, again I would say it’s time for action.

“Because infrastructure projects take a tremendous amount of time. They take years of planning and collaboration as well as investment and resources. And it’s only getting harder and longer.

Transurban CEO Scott Charlton talks during The Courier-Mail's Future Brisbane lunch at Howard Smith Wharves, Rivershed. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“The construction phase alone on Cross River Rail is expected to take seven years. That is without any supply chain disruptions or labour shortages.

“There’s some good news there because there’s nothing like a deadline which we would say and deadline to us as an opportunity to get transport projects moving again.”

Along with Mr Charlton, today’s event also heard from Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff, University of Queensland Vice Chancellor Deborah Terry, energy entrepreneur Trevor St Baker and Bank of Queensland chief economist Peter Munckton.

Australia’s greatest Olympian Emma McKeon also spoke.

Olympic swimmer Emma McKeon speaks with The Courier-Mail’s Robert Craddock. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The event was the culmination of The Courier-Mail’s annual Future Brisbane series, which has explored the mobility and connectivity priorities ahead of the 2032 Games.

Mr Charlton, the chief executive of global toll road operator Transurban, says government and Brisbane 2032 organisers can bring forward major infrastructure projects by collaborating with industry.

But he warned time was running out. And he said it was not just about transport.

“Schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure will also be needed to cater for growth.”

“Juggling these competing priorities will put pressure on government budgets. This is where the private sector can support government by bringing forward the delivery of projects. But time is of the essence.”

Courier-Mail editor Chris Jones hosts a panel with Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff, University of Queensland Vice Chancellor Deborah Terry, energy entrepreneur Trevor St Baker and Bank of Queensland chief economist Peter Munckton. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Charlton said infrastructure projects on any scale would take time and collaboration, and required investment and resources to plan and deliver.

“Many other Olympic cities thought time was on their side,” he said. “In Rio, when the athletes arrived, the village was uninhabitable and in Sydney, which was regarded as one of the best Games ever, they were still painting and installing seats right up until the last minute.

“Experience tells us to never underestimate the time and unexpected challenges that you may encounter preparing for an event, particularly when it’s the size of the Olympics.

“But the success of these games will come down to the long-term legacy it creates for this growing region. And if SEQ gets it right, this region will cement its place as a global drawcard long after the Games have ended.”