Senate final report into Olympics welcomes preparations, Greens call out accommodation, whitewater concerns

After two years of hearings and submissions, a Senate inquiry into Olympic preparations has praised Queensland’s revised plans while welcoming adjustments for housing, heritage, and planning.

The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee’s final report into Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games was published this week.

After two years of public hearings, hundreds of submissions, and two interim reports, a Senate committee investigating Australia’s preparedness to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has released its final update ahead of its May deadline.

The committee acknowledged progress made by the state government through its 2032 Delivery Plan.

It also welcomed the focus on regional housing, infrastructure development, and community facilities, for athlete accommodation and its conversion into social and affordable housing.

Chaired by Nationals Senator Matthew Canavan, the committee was originally due to report in September 2023, but the inquiry was extended several times, culminating in a final deadline of May 6, 2025.

Senators Matt Canavan and Bridget McKenzie scrutinised 103 submissions for the Senate committee inquiry into the preparedness of the country to host Games.

Over the course of the inquiry, the committee received 103 submissions, held eight hearings, and delivered two interim reports in 2023.

It maintained close monitoring through 2024 and early 2025, holding additional hearings in April 2024 and February 2025.

Among the most significant developments welcomed by the committee was the Queensland Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan, released on March 26, which incorporated several committee recommendations.

“The committee acknowledges the work undertaken by the Queensland Government through its 100-Day Review of Games infrastructure and planning and its 2032 Delivery Plan announced on March 26,” Senator Canavan said.

These included the creation of an Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority, a regional hosting model that ensures a legacy of affordable housing in areas outside Brisbane, and confirmed the decision not to proceed with controversial projects like the Brisbane Live Arena and the Gabba redevelopment.

Senators Penny Allman-Payne and Matt Canavan signed the final Senate committee report.

The committee said it recognised the value of those decisions for improving transparency, distributing benefits more broadly across Queensland, and responding to community concerns.

Other initiatives included the recommitment to the Sunshine Coast direct rail line and a new funding program aimed at boosting regional sporting and community facilities.

However, the report also featured strong additional commentary from the Australian Greens, who remained critical of several aspects of the Games planning process.

In a statement included in the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee report, Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne welcomed the recommendation to abandon the Gabba redevelopment, originally set to move the historic East Brisbane State School, as a “major community win” achieved through grassroots campaigning.

But Senator Allman-Payne also warned against proceeding with a proposed new stadium at Victoria Park (Barrambin), calling for upgrades to existing venues instead.

“With the design-phase projected to run until 2027, governments should abandon this plan in favour of improving existing infrastructure and investing in regional Queensland,” her statement said.

“The agreement between the IOC and the Queensland State Government and Brisbane City Council, clearly states that new Olympic venues must not be constructed adjacent to or within cultural protected areas.

“Victoria Park Barrambin contains significant areas that are state heritage listed, along with the area being a cultural area and an important green space close to the centre of Brisbane.

“We also maintain concerns regarding the decision to build a new Whitewater

Centre at Redlands which appears to have been taken without justification, and pursued doggedly despite community opposition to the project.”

Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne outlined in her report that there was opposition to the Redland whitewater centre.

On a broader scale, the Greens criticised the long-term impacts of Olympic Games globally, particularly around housing and affordability.

They highlighted concerns that mega-events often exacerbate housing stress and displace lower-income communities.

In additional comments to the committee’s report, Senator Allman-Payne said any post-Games housing must “remain in public hands instead of developers”, citing housing stress as a key issue in Queensland.

The committee’s work will now inform future Games planning, with stakeholders hoping that recommendations, especially those around inclusivity, sustainability and legacy, are implemented ahead of the 2032 opening ceremony.

The report concluded with thanks to all participants, particularly community organisations who gave voice to local concerns and helped shape the inquiry’s outcomes.

Originally published as Senate final report into Olympics welcomes preparations, Greens call out accommodation, whitewater concerns