Federal, State Govts Sign 2032 Games Funding Deal

The Australian and Queensland governments have signed off on the deal that will deliver the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

The Federal Government said yesterday its $3.435-billion contribution to the $7.1 billion Games Venue Infrastructure Program would “be refined and reallocated to ensure legacy Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure is delivered for 2032 and beyond”.

Both governments would work together to deliver 17 new and upgraded venues across Queensland, including the main Games stadium and National Aquatic Centre, they said in a joint statement.

The main stadium at Victoria Park would become the new 63,000-seat home to AFL and cricket in Queensland and attract major national and international events, leaving a lasting legacy for 2032 and beyond, they said.

During the 2032 Games, this stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as athletics events.

To support this new partnership, the Queensland Government said it would ensure stakeholder and community engagement throughout the venue-delivery program and develop a plan that optimised green space at Victoria Park.

“Site investigations including environmental studies, geotechnical assessments, engagement and cultural heritage assessments will soon commence at Victoria Park and the National Aquatic Centre site, which will also inform the design and delivery of these two major venues at the heart of the 2032 Games’ precinct,” the state said.

The Minor Venues Program has been revised and includes new projects such as a National Aquatic Centre, a Toowoomba Equestrian Centre, a dedicated para-sport facility and an expanded Queensland Tennis Centre.

These are in addition to projects with previously allocated federal funding, including the new Redland Whitewater Centre, the Anna Meares Velodrome and BMX track, and Brisbane International Shooting Centre.

Also on July 3, minor venue procurement was launched for work to begin at four key Games venues across the state: the Logan Indoor Sports Centre, Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, Barlow Park Stadium upgrade and Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade.

▲ Rendering of the planned Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre.

These are jointly funded venues with the Australian Government, confirmed in last week’s Queensland Budget.

“Today’s landmark new agreement has been reached following project validation work, which determines the Australian Government’s final investment, assessing that these projects can be delivered on time and on budget, represent a good use of taxpayer dollars, and will benefit Queensland for decades to come,” the governments said.

“These 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 long after the closing ceremony.”

It builds on the Commonwealth’s $12.4-billion investment in transport projects that Queensland has identified as not only necessary for the Games, “but will also leave a significant legacy when the Olympic flame is extinguished”.

That investment includes critical 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.