Queensland premier David Crisafulli has outlined his infrastructure plan for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The new plan ends years of uncertainty about which venues would play host to the games.

The announcement follows an 100 day review into proposed Olympics venues announced by the government after they won office last October

So what does the plan include?

Victoria Park Stadium

Victoria Park will be home to a new 60,000-seat stadium. The stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics events. The site was chosen as it will offer significant legacy benefits after the games have concluded. Following the games, the stadium will serve as a new home for Australian Rules Football and Cricket in the city. The review panel considered redeveloping the Gabba, an idea first raised by the previous government . However, it was found that this could not be achieved in time for the games.

National Aquatic Centre

The government will transform Centenary Pool in Spring Hill into a new National Aquatic Centre. The centre will seat 25,000 people during the games. The facility will serve as a national hub for Australia’s four main aquatic sports.

Queensland Tennis Centre

The Queensland Tennis Centre will be upgraded to meet Olympic seating requirements. As part of this 12 new courts will be built. The decision follows concerns that Olympic tennis could be moved to Melbourne due to a lack of adequate facilities in Queensland.

Brisbane Arena

A new indoor entertainment centre will be built at Wooloongabba, with the private sector to help fund this. This replaces a new publicly-funded arena that was to be built in Roma Street.

The Wave

“The Wave” will be a new public transport connection between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
The Wave will link Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast Airport. A new rail line will run from Beerwah to Birtinya.

Increased regional focus

The original plans focused heavily on Brisbane. However under the new plan, many events will be hosted in regional areas including:
• Equesatrian: An equestrian centre of excellence will be built on the Toowoomba showgrounds
• Hockey: The Gold Coast hockey centre will receive an upgrade
• Soccer: Soccer matches will be hosted at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville and Barlow Park in Cairns

Meanwhile, one of three new athletes villages will be located at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.

What has been the reaction?

Experts welcomed the plan’s clarity. Fears remain that the state is running out of time to build the required infrastructure. Critics argue the city has wasted too much time since being awarded the Olympics three years ago

In December last year, the Australian Constructors Association warned planning for the Olympics was a “schemozzle” and that key venues may not be constructed on time.

Until now, construction industry figures say they have had no clarity on which venues will be built, and where and how they will be built.

Australian Constructors Association chief executive Jon Davies warned that building so many Olympic venues at the same time will inevitably lead to  delays.

“One thing that suffers when we get all squashed up and we’re all trying to rush around, trying to do things, is productivity,” he said.

He warned that reduced construction productivity leads to increased construction costs for major infrastructure projects.

Despite this, the Queensland government has declared the Olympics venues will be delivered on time and within budget.

With Australia currently experiencing a severe shortage of construction workers, the Brisbane Olympics presents excellent opportunities for those considering a career in construction.

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Article References

Brisbane Times (25 March 2025) ‘Brisbane Olympics 2032 venues: David Crisafulli announces main stadium at Victoria Park in Brisbane, plus new infrastructure for Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Queensland regions’, Brisbane Times, accessed 25 March 2025.

Meacham, S (17 December 2024) ‘We need to plan ahead’: Builders bemoan uncertainty over Olympic venues’, Brisbane Times, accessed 25 March 2025.

Riley, R (25 March 2025) ‘Brisbane 2032 venues list: Victoria Park confirmed for ceremonies, athletics’, Courier Mail, accessed 25 March 2025.

Walsh, C (25 March 2025) ‘From ‘croc’ river to Whitsundays: 2032 venues list as Brisbane’s Games go regional’, Fox Sports, accessed 25 March 2025.