32 Olympic projects to transform how you get around SEQ

New railway lines, major road expansions, light rail and bridge upgrades are set to emerge across Brisbane and South East Queensland over the next decade under a bold push to make the region ready for the 2032 Olympics. SEE THE LIST OF ALL 32 PROJECTS

New railway lines, major road expansions and bridge upgrades will emerge across the city over the next decade under a bold push to deliver 32 city-building infrastructure projects by 2032.

The Council of Mayors South East Queensland had identified its list of 32 projects it says all levels of government must commit to building before Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF ALL 32 PROJECTS

A dozen new or upgraded lanes would be added to the region’s five major motorways, rail services would be expanded to Springfield and light rail investment would occur on the Gold Coast and mass transit on the Sunshine Coast.

The 32 list, crafted from the Council of Mayors’ major 2019 mass-movement study, would deliver a significant boost to the quality of South East Queensland infrastructure, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the city must take advantage of the Olympic opportunity. Photo Steve Pohlner

“These Games are a unique chance to get all levels of government working together on the common goal of delivering the greatest sporting event on the planet while at the same time delivering the infrastructure necessary for our booming region,” he said.

“The legacy of the Games won’t just be the memories of having world-renowned athletes compete right on our doorstep and the excitement of seeing Brisbane transformed for a few weeks during the event.

“The legacy needs to be better transport infrastructure that makes getting around our region easier and new and rebuilt sporting venues that continue to attract top class events.”

The Cross River Rail project is well under way. Picture RixRyan Photography

Mr Schrinner said the 32 infrastructure projects, if fully delivered, could see spectators view the Olympic gymnastics at Chandler in the morning and beach volleyball at Broadbeach in the afternoon.

“This is what we mean when we talk about legacy and what makes the opportunity of the Games so exciting,” he said.

The organising committee for the Olympic Games is due to be debated in parliament early next month before it is formalised ahead of the International Olympic Committee’s December 21 deadline.

An artist's impression of the proposed light rail.

Once established the committee would be responsible for planning and delivering the Games.

A $1.1bn mass transit link between Kawana and the Maroochydore CBD via Mooloolaba would be established on the Sunshine Coast under the 32 by 2032 plan – while the Gold Coast would see its network expanded to Coolangatta Airport.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said his community was the ninth-largest population centre in the nation, making investment in public transport infrastructure critical.

“Our region desperately needs a vastly improved public transport network if it is to address the impacts of congestion and the impacts on liveability and productivity – both now and into the future as the region continues to grow.”

“While the provision of public transport and associated infrastructure is principally the responsibility of the State and Federal Governments, our Sunshine Coast Council has the undertaken essential planning work to put a clear case to the State and Federal Governments to address our region’s need for an accessible, reliable and sustainable transport network.”

32 BY 2032: THE MAJOR PROJECTS COMING TO THE SOUTH EAST

• Brisbane Metro
• Centenary Motorway Upgrade Projects
• Cross River Rail
• Ipswich Motorway Upgrade Projects
• Mount Lindesay Highway Upgrade Projects
• North Coast Rail Line Duplications (Beerburrum to Nambour Project)
• Pacific Motorway Upgrade Projects
• Gateway Motorway Upgrade Projects
• Multimodal Transport Corridor (Kawana Town Centre to Mooloolah River Interchange)
• New Rail Stabling Facilities
• Bruce Highway Upgrade Projects
• Inter-regional Transport Corridor (Coomera Connector)
• Norman Street Bridge (Ipswich)
• Sunshine Motorway Upgrade Projects
• Warrego Highway Upgrade Projects
• Gold Coast Urban Rail Line Extension Project
• North South Urban Arterial
• Open Level Crossing removal project
• Gold Coast Light Rail Extension
• Ipswich to Springfield Rail line extension
• Salisbury to Beaudesert Rail Line
• Sunshine Coast Mass Transit
• Faster rail (Brisbane to Sunshine Coast)
• Cleveland Rail Line Duplication
• North West Transport Corridor (Rail and motorway from Bald Hills to Stafford Road)
• Bus Rapid Transit Toowoomba to Ipswich
• Logan Motorway Upgrade Projects
• Faster Rail (Brisbane to Ipswich)