Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Full steam ahead as seven-year mark passed

The Games infrastructure authority has a non-negotiable time frame and is moving ahead with a clear vision and a resolute determination to deliver, writes Stephen Conry.

Clarity, certainty, confidence and excitement underpin our task at the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority as we hit seven years to go until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Following GIICA’s 100-day review, the Queensland government provided an eagerly awaited delivery plan, giving Queenslanders much-needed clarity and optimism as well as the certainty for GIICA to quickly move from review to delivery.

Planning is well-advanced, bolstered by the invaluable technical and stakeholder contributions to our 100-day review, subsequent industry consultations, and a hardworking GIICA team.

Providing further certainty has been the confirmation of the $7.1bn investment allocation for the 17 venues to be delivered by GIICA, for the Games and of course for future generations, enabled by the formalisation of the funding agreement between the Queensland and Federal Governments.

Also, new laws have been enacted to consolidate GIICA’s ability to deliver in time for the Games.

With the delivery plan GIICA could forge ahead and we did so quickly, beginning with the work to enable four venue expressions of interest, released to the market earlier this month.

Barlow Park Stadium in Cairns, Logan Indoor Sports Centre, Moreton Bay Indoor Sport Centre and Sunshine Coast Stadium are just the start of an extensive portfolio of new and upgraded venues which will deliver for the 2032 Games and for the long-term benefit of Queensland.

In addition, more detailed site investigations have commenced for Victoria Park where both the new Brisbane Stadium and National Aquatic Centre will be located.

Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority chair Stephen Conry

These two large and incredibly exciting investments for our great city will help define Brisbane’s global identity and capacity, not just for the Games, but also by meeting the needs of a growing state in a competitive national and international market for major sporting and entertainment events.

What a magnificent and necessary centrepiece for our city a revitalised Victoria Park will be, to be enjoyed soon by hundreds of thousands of people a year compared to much fewer now.

More procurement announcements about Games venues are set for the near future as we move quickly, but thoroughly, through the essential work that needs to be done before we reach the construction phase.

Our impressive construction industry stands ready to play its part and Queenslanders will have confidence that together we can, and will, get the job done – for the benefit of our communities, our economy, and our rightful reputation on the national and global stage.

The Brisbane 2032 Games will be incredibly exciting for Queensland and Australia.

The excitement, rightly, is building.

We have much to look forward to and indeed much to celebrate, with Brisbane one of a select number of world-leading cities with the honour of holding the title “host city”, proudly and forever.

GIICA understands the responsibility given to us.

We have a non-negotiable time frame.

We are moving ahead with a clear vision and a resolute determination to deliver, not just for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but for a lasting and valuable legacy of much-needed infrastructure for Brisbane and Queensland.

Stephen Conry is chair of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority