Full steam ahead on Games infrastructure

• The starter’s gun has been fired for procurement to begin on venues that will be used in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games 
• More than $560 million in contracts supporting more than 1,000 local jobs 
• EOIs for tenders are about to be released for the Sunshine Coast Stadium and Chandler Indoor Sports Centre and precinct works
• Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre to go to market in August 2024
• Aquatic Centre at Chandler and the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre in 2025
• This phased approach is favoured by industry

It’s full steam ahead for construction of venues to be used for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with an industry briefing with more than 70 businesses being held today, ahead of the first EOIs for tenders being released Monday (20 May).

Thorough assessments have been completed on the Chandler Sports Precinct (also known as the Sleeman Sports Complex) and three Sunshine Coast venues, paving the way for the procurement process to begin.

The Australian and Queensland governments have jointly allocated funding from the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program for investment in these projects. 

Queensland Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace, Federal Senator and Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm, Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris, Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt, and Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton today visited the Kawana Sports Precinct where a new $142 million indoor sports centre will be built, and the adjacent Sunshine Coast Stadium will receive a $148 million upgrade. 

The Chandler Sports Precinct and Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre and are also in line for multimillion dollar upgrades of $257 million and $14 million respectively.

The Q2032 Procurement Strategy will prioritise local businesses so they have the best chance to supply for projects which will support more than 1,000 jobs, with the first contracts due to be awarded later this year. Early works on the Sunshine Coast Stadium will begin in late 2024, with other construction due to begin in 2025. 

This means that - still more than eight years out from the Games – a quarter of the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program will be out in the market in the coming months, and with further projects close to investment decision almost half are due out by the end of 2024. 

The Queensland and Australian Governments have committed to sourcing at least 30% of procurement from Queensland SMEs for the Minor Venues Program, as well as targets for 10-15% of all the hours on the projects to be undertaken by apprentices or trainees – helping to deliver the pipeline of construction workers our growing state needs. 

The final project scopes and locations were selected following a vigorous Project Validation Report process, have been endorsed by national, state, and local governments, and were recommended to proceed in the recent independent Sport Venue Review. 

Communities right across Queensland are set to benefit from the Games, with events to be held in a range of locations including in Cairns, Townsville, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and the Gold Coast. 

Renders and flyover footage are available here. 

Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier Steven Miles:

“We are going to put on a fantastic Games under the IOC New Norms and one that leaves a lasting legacy in communities right across the state.

“These projects will create good jobs, new investment opportunities and access to world-class sporting and entertainment facilities – all while raising South East Queensland’s profile as a global sporting and tourism destination.

“New and upgraded facilities right around the state will serve as world-class venues during the Games and a pivotal part of a legacy that will serve current and future generations of Queenslanders.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: 

“As one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, investment in these venues will deliver lasting benefits to the communities of South East Queensland both before and after the Games.

“The Australian Government is working closely with our state government partners to deliver sporting and community venues that reflect the needs of staging a global event while providing the best outcomes for our communities now and in the future.

“These projects are part of a suite of new or upgraded venues to be delivered in Queensland, supporting the region’s booming population and helping deliver a successful Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace: 

“Queensland’s golden decade of opportunity is here and we’re making the most of it to deliver lasting benefits across the state. 

“We are years ahead of other host nations in delivering competition venues this far ahead of the Games, which means they can be used by the local community and also attract high-calibre sport and entertainment events.

“There is still more than eight years to go – Sydney 2000 didn’t have a master plan until five years out.

“Since being awarded the Games, we have established the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising and Legacy Committees, signed an historic $7.1 billion investment agreement with the Commonwealth, introduced legislation to establish an independent Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority, secured $2.75 billion from the Albanese Government towards the Sunshine Coast Rail Line, invested $100 million in our Go for Gold program for schools, and launched You for 2032, Australia’s largest ever athlete talent identification program.

“Our Q2032 Procurement Strategy means businesses across Queensland are already getting match fit to win government contracts - worth an estimated $180 billion – in the lead up to the Games.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm: 

“These new and upgraded facilities won’t just benefit sporting communities on the Sunshine Coast, they’ll benefit all Queenslanders and those who travel here each year to take part in sporting events. 

“With plans for Sunshine Coast rail underway, we’re focused on ensuring the infrastructure that the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games needs to be a success is delivered, and ensures a long-term transformational legacy is there for all to see following the games.

“The Albanese Government is proud to be supporting a boost to Queensland sports stadiums and community sporting facilities, that will benefit South East Queensland and the nation for decades to come.”

Quotes attributable to Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli: 

“Today’s funding announcement follows years of research and planning and is a direct and welcome result of our role as Co-Host City of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The validation process the projects went through, including independent panel reviews, was extensive and demonstrated the importance of these venues for the Sunshine Coast. 

“They will deliver lasting economic and social benefits before, during and long after hosting the Games.

“I want to be very clear – these venues are being built for our community. They will provide a place to train, to play, to watch our favourite teams and to cheer on our kids from the sidelines.

“Importantly, these venues will be leading-edge in accessibility to accommodate the many para-sports, athletes and spectators in our region.

“I’d like to thank the State and Federal governments for their support, which is essential to ensure that these state-of-the-art facilities are delivered for the Sunshine Coast.”

Quotes attributable to Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President Andrew Liveris: 

“The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the biggest event in Queensland’s history, delivering significant economic and social impact across the State and beyond.

“The sooner progress is made, the sooner people will be able to use these legacy assets – and that’s a good thing for one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

“The announcements today are further evidence that collectively, Games Delivery Partners are getting on with the job of keeping pace with preparations.  

“With significant investment decisions completed and over a quarter of the Minor Venues Program approved for go-to-market contracts, we are in a good position eight years out from hosting the Games. 

“I welcome the opportunities being delivered, not only for the Games, but for local businesses and communities to be part of before and beyond 2032.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt:

“How good is this, right here on the Sunshine Coast we will be home to new and upgraded venues that will be used for the 2032 Games.”

“The Sunny Coast is home to world class facilities already and the legacy from Brisbane 2032 builds on that and will last a lifetime.”

“We have a great lifestyle here, and with new facilities on the horizon, the Sunshine Coast will be an even better place to call home.”

“Apprentices and trainees, plus local small and medium sized businesses are winners with our Q2032 procurement strategy.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Nicklin, Rob Skelton: 

“I’m proud to be a part of the Miles government delivering these game changing venues for the Sunshine Coast”

“The Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre near my electorate of Nicklin will be an asset for the community for decades to come, with the potential to draw thousands of extra visitors to our region”

Quotes attributable to Sunshine Coast Basketball Association General Manager Sean Page: 

"The Sunshine Coast Basketball Association (SCBA) is excited about the new 11-court indoor sports centre at Kawana and would like to thank Council and the State and Federal governments for recognising the unprecedented growth of basketball on the Sunshine Coast and the urgent need for this facility. 

“This world-class facility will allow the SCBA to better service our thousands of members from all over the Sunshine Coast, as well as provide space for several other indoor sports. 

“This facility will also enable the SCBA attract state, national and international events to the region which benefits not only the SCBA, but the entire Sunshine Coast.” 

Further venue information

Sunshine Coast Stadium – contract to market on Monday 20 May

The Sunshine Coast Stadium will receive a $148 million upgrade to ensure it attracts world-class sport, recreational and entertainment events. The stadium is proposed to host the football preliminaries and quarter-final matches during the Games with 20,000 seats (10,000 permanent – up from 1,000 now) but the upgrade will benefit the community, including tenants such as the Sunshine Coast Falcons, much sooner and long after. The dual projects will see the Kawana precinct become a hub of community and elite sport.

New Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre – contract to market in August 2024

Also located in the Kawana Sports Precinct, the new $142 million Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre will be a sustainable, modern facility with 11 courts and multifunctional areas suitable for a range of sports and community uses before and after the Games. Earmarked to host Games competition with around 6,000 spectator seats, the new centre will meet the growth in population and the need for indoor court facilities in the region to ensure rising Sunshine Coast stars can continue to develop future sporting careers in their backyard.

Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre – contract to market in 2025

Located near Nambour, the mountain bike centre will benefit from a $14 million upgrade to help meet the growing demand for mountain biking facilities in the region. The new mountain bike cycling hub will offer circuit, beginner level trails and a skills park suitable for multisport events, as well as bike hire facilities and space for a café. It will host 8,000 standing spectators and temporary seating for 2,000. 

Chandler Sports Precinct – Indoor Sports Centre and Precinct works contract to market on Monday 20 May; Aquatic Centre contract to market in 2025

Chandler Sports Precinct will benefit from a $257 million investment for new and upgraded venues. A new Indoor Sports Centre is earmarked to hold gymnastics and Paralympic wheelchair basketball during the Games with 10,000 spectator seats. The Brisbane Aquatic Centre is proposed to host diving and water polo and benefit from an upgrade, and there will be further investment for works that will benefit the whole precinct, where track cycling and BMX racing is also set to take place at the Anna Meares Velodrome and BMX SuperCross track. 

ENDS

Media contacts:

MINISTER KING – LYNDAL CURTIS 0497 847 212

MINISTER GRACE – KATE TALBOT 0439 803 211

ASSISTANT MINISTER CHISHOLM – JAMES LAIDLER 0458 729 475