Queensland has drawn a thick line under debate and scribbled down a plan—ambitious, sprawling, and full of optimism—for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With just over 1,300 days to go, the state has unveiled its 2032 Delivery Plan, setting the wheels in motion for a Games that hopes to spread its impact well beyond Brisbane’s boundaries.
After a 100-day review, a flurry of consultations, and careful rethinks of earlier proposals, the Plan is now officially out in the wild. It sticks to the existing $7.1 billion funding envelope but reconfigures how and where that money will be spent. What emerges is a more decentralised Games—a version that doesn’t just tip its hat to regional Queensland but pulls cities like Cairns, Toowoomba, and Townsville into the centre of the Olympic conversation.
Victoria Park in Brisbane will get a new stadium, and the Centenary Pool site will make way for a National Aquatic Centre. The RNA Showgrounds will get a glow-up, complete with an Athlete Village destined to turn into permanent housing. Tennis fans can expect a bigger Queensland Tennis Centre, and para-sport athletes will get dedicated facilities at Chandler. There’s plenty on the list, from new show courts to match courts, new rail lines to faster services, all the way up to The Wave—a train that will link Beerwah to Sunshine Coast Airport via Maroochydore.
What’s interesting is the reach. The Olympic torch isn’t staying put in Brisbane. Cairns will see upgrades to Barlow Park. Rowing and canoe sprints are heading to Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River. The Toowoomba Showgrounds will shape into an equestrian hub, while Mackay and Townsville will host cricket and sailing respectively. Archery’s landing in Wide Bay-Burnett, and beaches and parklands across the state will moonlight as venues or Live Sites.
The infrastructure isn’t stopping at sport. Upgrades to the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns, improvements to arterial roads in Cairns, and new transport corridors through Brisbane are all being bundled into the Plan. Brent Mickelberg, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, pointed to $9 billion in highway works and faster rail as a key part of the legacy. “Better connected” is the phrase doing the rounds.
Premier David Crisafulli was bullish on the state’s readiness. “We now have the gameplan for 2032 and beyond, and it’s time to put it into action.” His message: this isn’t just about two weeks of events, but about decades of transformation. The goal is clear—let Queensland shine on the global stage, and then keep shining after the spotlight moves on.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie echoed that the right projects need to be delivered in the right places. He acknowledged the balancing act between building new and improving old, and described this as the largest infrastructure investment in Queensland’s history.
Andrew Liveris, President of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, was equally keen to stop talking and start building. His view: the IOC’s onboard, the groundwork’s done, and it’s now time to run with it.
Still, as with all grand plans, there are pockets of concern. Townsville’s Dr Abhishek Joshi sees the Games as a golden ticket for his city, with hopes for cultural exchange, a tourism bounce, and global exposure. “This will help in fostering cultural exchange and showcasing North Queensland’s unique heritage, culture and natural beauty,” he said.
On the other hand, Mr Pushpinder Oberoi has been left wondering where some earlier ideas have gone. “Not one mention of the word ‘tram’,” he said, pointing out that light rail to the airport was once the Gold Coast’s big Olympic hope. Its absence from a 200-page report feels conspicuous.
The Plan also includes a $250 million fund for grassroots sport, hoping to ensure that every suburb and town feels like part of the Olympic story. Tim Mander, the Minister in charge of the Games, made that link explicit: “This Plan delivers sports facilities not only for athletes competing at an international level, but for Queenslanders of all ages, abilities and localities.”
The Plan was shaped through a wide consultation process, with Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority Chairman Stephen Conry noting that thousands of Queenslanders had a say during the review. Not every opinion made it to the final plan, but every contribution left its mark. “Our attention now turns from debate to delivery,” he said.
As Brisbane and surrounding regions undergo significant development, property experts are keeping a close eye on ripple effects across real estate markets. “We expect to see a surge in demand for both residential and commercial properties,” said Mukesh Dubey from Hero Estate Agents.
According to Dubey, several factors are driving this expected growth. “Enhanced transport networks and upgraded facilities will make key suburbs more accessible and attractive, driving property values upward,” he said.
The real estate sector is also eyeing the Games as a chance to align investment with infrastructure. “With major infrastructure spending, investors will likely capitalise on high-growth areas, particularly those near new transport hubs and entertainment precincts,” Dubey added.
He also emphasised the long-term economic benefit. “The Games will create thousands of jobs, further fuelling housing demand and rental markets in key locations,” he said.
It’s a mammoth undertaking: transforming roads, building rail, upgrading stadiums, and preparing cities not just to host athletes but to welcome the world. The trick will be to do it all without blowing the budget or the patience of Queenslanders. And while the Plan ticks many boxes, it’s still a long sprint to the finish line.
For now, the starter pistol has been fired. Let the Games begin, indeed.
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