The Queensland Government will invest in a plan to optimise green space at Victoria Park where the Olympic Stadium and Aquatic Centre will be located. Image: Brisbane 2032.
The Federal and Queensland governments have reached an agreement to jointly fund the development of sporting infrastructure across the state for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The agreement will see the Commonwealth’s contribution of $3.435 billion to the $7.1 billion Games Venue Infrastructure Program refined and reallocated to ensure legacy Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure is delivered.
It means 17 new and upgraded venues will be delivered across Queensland, including the new main Olympic Stadium at Victoria Park in Brisbane’s north, and the adjacent National Aquatic Centre, and these will be retained for community use for years after the Games.
The Minor Venues Program will see new projects such as a National Aquatic Centre, a Toowoomba Equestrian Centre, a dedicated para-sport facility and an expanded Queensland Tennis Centre.
These add to previously announced venues including the Redland Whitewater Centre, Anna Meares Velodrome and BMX track, Brisbane International Shooting Centre, Logan Indoor Sports Centre, Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, Barlow Park Stadium upgrade, and Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade.
As part of the agreement, the Queensland Government will ensure stakeholder and community engagement throughout the venue delivery program, and will develop a plan that optimises green space at Victoria Park through site investigations including environmental studies, geotechnical assessments, and engagement and cultural heritage assessments.
A joint statement says the venue projects will ensure the 2032 Games delivers critical and generational infrastructure not just for Brisbane and South East Queensland, but for the wider state and the nation.
The Games infrastructure is in addition to Commonwealth funding of $12.4 billion for transport projects that Queensland had identified that are not only necessary for the Games, but will also leave a legacy afterwards.
These include upgrades to the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast, faster rail from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, and Stage 1 of Direct Sunshine Coast Rail providing a link between Beerwah and Caloundra.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the Sydney 2000 Games had left a legacy and memories that had lasted for decades.
“We are ready to deliver a Brisbane 2032 games that will leave the same incredible legacy for Queensland,” she said.
“The Australian Government’s commitment of $3.4 billion towards the Games venues is the single largest contribution any Australian government has made towards sporting infrastructure in this country.
“The world’s biggest sporting event is coming to Brisbane, and this investment and renewed agreement shows the Australian and Queensland governments’ commitment to making it one of the best Games ever.”
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said the agreement was the beginning of a new partnership that set the pathway to deliver 2032 as the best Games ever.
“We’ve also launched procurement on four key projects to kickstart the delivery of world-class venues in the 2032 Delivery Plan,” he said.
“I can also announce that we will start site investigations at Victoria Park for Australia’s most exciting sporting precinct that will be home to the new main stadium and the new National Aquatic Centre.
“With our state budget still hot off the press, the Queensland Government is already activating our investment in generational Games infrastructure including funding for the immediate delivery of venues in Moreton Bay, Logan, Cairns and the Sunshine Coast.”
Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells said the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic games would be an extraordinary moment for Queensland and Australia.
“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to making Brisbane 2032 a great Games that will also provide an enormous mental and physical health boost for our nation,” she said.
“We have also invested record funding for high performance including doubling our investment in our Paralympians and revitalising the AIS so we have more athletes with more opportunities to achieve their best in 2032.”
The Federal Opposition welcomed the agreement, saying it had put an end to months of speculation and rumours to the contrary.
“We are very pleased to see the Federal Government finally commit to a fair funding agreement for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games infrastructure development,” Shadow Minister for 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Senator James McGrath said.
“It is a testament to the leadership and strength of both Premier Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Bleijie, that they have secured a reallocation of funding towards a new world-class stadium and minor venues program whilst also ensuring better value for money for taxpayers through their ability to work with the private sector to build the new Brisbane Live Arena at a fraction of the price.”
