Opinion: Brisbane 2032 a once in a lifetime investment opportunity

The 2032 Games are the biggest thing to happen to modern Brisbane, and will likely be the biggest to happen in most of our lifetimes, writes Jen Williams.

A concept image of the Brisbane 2032 Games

The 2032 Games is the biggest thing to happen to modern Brisbane, and will likely be the biggest to happen in most of our lifetimes. If we don’t invest in Brisbane now, when will we?

As the capital city of the beautiful, diverse state of Queensland, Brisbane has an important role to play in providing a connected, accessible location for social infrastructure that services the entire state.

Like most capital cities, Brisbane is synonymous with being the seat of government. It is also home to the state’s premier cultural precinct. It is where Queensland’s major hospitals and health facilities are located. And when combined with neighbouring local government areas, it is where the majority of the state’s population lives.

The decentralised nature of Queensland’s population means there will always be the challenge of providing enough infrastructure for each of the cities, towns and communities across the state.

The capital city, however, is where infrastructure that will be utilised by the entire state is located. Take Queensland Museum, for example. While individual cities may have their own smaller museums, it is expected that the state’s flagship museum – visited by residents from right across the state – would be located in the heart of the capital city.

The original bid for the 2032 Games was focused on delivering the infrastructure a growing SEQ region needs to service its own, growing population. The Council of Mayors (SEQ) rightly pointed out that local governments were crumbling under the weight of trying to keep up with demand and needed a catalyst to focus and drive investment in the city-region.

Transport formed a central component of the 2032 Games planning, but that’s not where it should end. Our digital connections desperately need an update; we must have an arena in the inner-city to capture the huge economic benefits delivered by major events; and we need a solution for the Gabba and its resident sporting teams, before the stadium reaches the rapidly approaching end of its economic life.

The reality is, Brisbane is our state’s capital city. It is visited year-round by Queenslanders from every part of the state, whether for work, visiting hospitals or attending sporting events. A strong capital city, with a thriving, diverse economy, benefits the entire state.

Jen Williams is CEO of the Committee for Brisbane