[+] Olympics Legacy ‘Golden Opportunity’ for Developers

As one of the chosen “agents for positive change” on the Brisbane Olympics legacy taskforce, John Wagner says it will be developers who play a key role in delivering the enduring benefits of the Games. And although the Sunshine State is still 10 years out from hosting the world’s biggest sporting event, he says now is the time for the industry to step up and shine. “The Games is something the property industry should embrace,” the Wagner Corporation chairman says. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for Queensland and we need to make the most of it. “Developers can play a part in that … it’s an industry that can work in with the Olympics and can also be part of its legacy and Queensland going forward.” Wagner is among 12 hand-picked Queenslanders appointed to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Committee. Its focus is on creating lasting social, economic and environmental outcomes by sharing diverse expertise and perspectives to provide advice on legacy opportunities as well as to advocate for legacy initiatives. Wagner will be a keynote speaker at The Urban Developer’s Urbanity conference next month on the Gold Coast. He and his family are stalwarts of Queensland's infrastructure and development sectors. As the boss of Wagner Corporation—the developer of Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport—and director of ASX-listed construction materials producer Wagners, he will bring valuable knowledge of the required building blocks to the Olympics legacy taskforce table. ▲ John Wagner: The Games is something the property industry should embrace. Not surprisingly, he already has a few ideas up his sleeve. And although somewhat reluctant to reveal them at this stage, he drops a few hints while talking to The Urban Developer . “It’s early days … I don’t have a wishlist,” he says. “I have a totally open mind about what we can and can’t do, and what’s good for Queensland. “I have some views, naturally, but I’d rather just sit back and listen to what people have got to say and then make an informed decision. “Obviously transport is a major issue. High-speed rail is a major issue. There’s a whole range of things that can be done but they need a bit of political will from both the federal and state governments. “There’s also things like social and affordable housing. We’ve got people sleeping on the streets and that shouldn’t be happening in Queensland in this day and age. “That’s something we’ve got to spend a fair bit more time on … and [with the Olympics] there’s opportunities there. “I think it goes way beyond the [athletes] village. “The reality is when you have such a big influx of people, they need accommodation and not for just a week or two but for quite some time. From that, there may be opportunities to use some of those properties as social and affordable housing.” ▲ The opportunities for the property industry go way beyond the athletes village, Wagner says. He pauses: “Really, I think it's just a matter of seeing what ideas we can come up with ... I don't profess to know everything about it. I’m actually just starting to get my head around what potential opportunities there are.” Wagner, however, is not someone who has ever been short of big ideas. Wellcamp Airport was one. Its aerospace and defence precinct was another, along with a planned $230-million entertainment precinct and push for a high-speed rail link to Brisbane. No doubt there is still plenty more ideas where they came from. But the key to his business success has been keeping a sharp focus on the big picture and clearly that's not about to change in his newest role. “It’s very important that we do whatever we can to make sure that all Queenslanders get the benefit of the Olympics long after they are finished,” he says. “This is not just about regional, it’s not just about the south-east corner, this is about Queensland as a whole. “I think what we need to do is talk to as many people as we can around Queensland and get their views … and then actually get on and do something that’s going to be worthwhile for Queensland post the Olympics.” Wagner’s gold medal tip for developers? Get out there now and look for opportunities. ▲ The opportunities and lasting benefits from the Games will go way beyond Brisbane, according to Wagner. “The reality is opportunities don’t come to you,” he says. “You've got to get out there and find them ... and I'm sure there'll be plenty of them. “The smart guys already will be out looking around seeing what they can actually do to capitalise on [the Olympics].” In announcing the legacy committee this week, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the hosting of the Games as “the biggest single transformational event in Queensland’s history”. “This is Queensland’s time to shine,” she said. “[And] we’re not just looking at 2032 but the decades after that … we're not going to waste this golden opportunity.” Sport minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe, who will chair the legacy taskforce, added: “The guidance and experience of every member of the legacy committee will have a direct bearing on the future of Queensland”. Wagner regards his new Olympics mission as an important one and he believes only positive things will come of the legacy-led approach to the Games for the development sector. “It can’t be negative, that’s for sure.” You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. Click here to learn more.

[+] Olympics Legacy ‘Golden Opportunity’ for Developers

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