BMD Group urges Queensland government to ensure local firms are part of the Olympic build

Australia’s largest privately-owned civil contractor, Brisbane-based BMD Group, wants a piece of the action when 2032 Olympics contracts are handed out.

BMD Group boss Scott Power at its Northshore Brisbane street renewal worksite at Hamilton.

Australia’s largest privately-owned civil contractor has called on the Queensland government to ensure local businesses played an integral role in delivering the facilities for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Brisbane-based BMD Group chief executive Scott Power said it was important that local contractors had a share of the multibillion-dollar Olympic spend, with the Crisafulli government set to reveal the location of the main stadium and other facilities for the Games on March 25.

The family-owned company is working on the first phase of the Northshore Brisbane Street Renewal Program, which will pave the way for the delivery of the Brisbane Athletes Village for the Games. They have also tendered for a number of looming projects, including south east Queensland’s multibillion-dollar faster rail upgrade.

Mr Power said they were keen to see Australian-owned contractors involved in the Games.

“We would see it as a lost opportunity if more Queensland and Brisbane-based companies didn’t get involved in delivering Olympic infrastructure,” he said. “We’re keen to identify opportunities where we can get involved.

“I don’t think there’s any reason why a privately-owned Australian contractor can’t compete – whether in a joint venture or by themselves – against international contractors.

“At times there’s a perception that bigger is better and going with a big global contractor you are taking on less risks than smaller Australian contractors. But we need to make sure we’re given the opportunity to compete on these projects and demonstrate that we can play a key role in delivering critical infrastructure.”

BMD Group CEO Scott Power at the company's North Shore Hamilton worksite.

Mr Power said he “didn’t have the inside running” but would be surprised if Victoria Park in Herston was not the government’s preferred venue for the stadium.

“I think a brand-new facility in terms of legacy for the city of Brisbane would be a fantastic outcome,” he said.

BMD was founded by the Power family in 1979 and since then has evolved into six businesses across civil construction, engineering design, residential and industrial land development, project management consultancy and building construction.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, BMD’s exposure to government-funded infrastructure projects boosted their performance in an era where costs escalated, and the sector dealt with labour shortages, sent some of the nation’s biggest builders into liquidation.

In documents lodged with the Australian Investments & Securities Commission, BMD Holdings reported revenue of $1.867bn and a profit of $48.1m for the 2024 financial year.

However, if revenue in FY24 included the non-elimination of transactions between BMD subsidiaries and the inclusion of joint venture revenues which is used for internal performance measurement, the company recorded a 13.8 per cent rise in revenue to $2.31bn.

“We’ve enjoyed a period of really strong growth, and we want to build on that for the next 30 to 40 years of our business,” Mr Power said.

“This financial year we’re on track to exceed a record turnover again of over $2.4bn. We certainly think that a 10 per cent year-on-year revenue growth is not unachievable in YF26.”

However, Mr Power said productivity should be a major issue in the coming federal election.

“We need to be more productive. The building industry in particular is one that has not been productive and there’s lots of reasons for that,” he said.

“From a government’s perspective, anything they can do to unlock productivity and whether that’s removing red tape, green tape or looking at some of the labour constraints to productivity, is something they should address productivity.

“Anything that they can address I think will go a long way towards getting better outcomes and ultimately lower costs.”

BMD Group CEO Scott Power. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Growing up on Brisbane’s Bayside, Mr Power has been with the company for 30 years and was made CEO in November 2020 when his father Mick stood down

The Iona College old boy, who completed an engineering degree at QUT, said BMD would remain a family company, with his brother Dare on the Board and his sister Hayley involved in the company’s extensive work with the arts and community groups.

“When I grew up like most little boys I wanted to be like dad and that was reinforced by sitting in the back seat of the car drive and drive around to jobs on the weekend,” Mr Power said.

“That really ignited an interest in civil construction. I’ve travelled and work in different parts of Australia and lived overseas, and it’s a very exciting industry.

“I am second generation between my brother, sister, and we collectively have nine children – eight boys and one little girl. I am sure within that there will be some interest in the family business.”

The company has more than 2300 staff and national footprint with offices in the Philippines and Britain, and Mr Power said they were exploring opportunities in the US.

Some of BMD’s current major projects include the $300m Centenary Bridge upgrade in Brisbane’s western corridor with the Georgiou Group; remediation and civil works for the Bulimba Barracks project for the Shayher Group and civil works at Caboolture West’s Lilywood Landings Estate for Lennium Group.

BMD recently launched its fourth logo in 46 years, signalling a new brand identity – the first refresh for the business in 22 years.

The new brand identity aligns the company to its growth strategy focused on collaborative partnerships, diversification and international expansion.

The updated identity uncovers a future-focused strategic direction, dedicated to shared success with clients, partners and the community.

Originally published as BMD Group urges Queensland government to ensure local firms are part of the Olympic build