South Bank’s next chapter for 2032 and beyond

• South Bank set for biggest transformation since Expo 88, including a new iconic lagoon and preserved open space.
• Industry invited to register interest to explore opportunities to support precinct’s future renewal.
• The former Labor Government secretly knew the Streets Beach  lagoon was riddled with leaks, losing 112,000 litres of water per day, and did nothing. 
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a legacy for all Queenslanders for 2032 and beyond after the former Labor Government's 1,200 days of Games chaos and crisis. 

The Crisafulli Government is embarking on the biggest transformation of South Bank since Expo 88, revitalising one of Queensland’s most iconic destinations for 2032 and beyond, and saving the jewel in its crown.  

More than 30 years after the precinct was developed as a legacy from Expo 88, the Crisafulli Government and South Bank Corporation will explore opportunities with industry to ensure it continues to be a landmark destination for locals and visitors for decades to come.  

South Bank welcomes more than 16.6 million visitors each year as a community, cultural, conference, entertainment, education and dining hub. 

As Queensland grows and prepares to deliver a legacy for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, an Invitation for Pre-Qualification (IFP) released today will explore interest in future opportunities to transform key areas of South Bank. 

Key non-negotiables for any reimagining of the South Bank precinct will be a new iconic lagoon and upgraded open public space.  

The opportunities being explored include preserving and enhancing the open public space, improving community connectivity and new integrated commercial development as well as alignment with the Future South Bank Master Plan, released in May 2024. 

Earlier this year, the Crisafulli Government revealed the former Labor Government secretly knew the Streets Beach lagoon was riddled with leaks, losing a massive 112,000 litres of water per day at its peak, and did nothing.  

The existing lagoon continues to leak and requires regular maintenance, including lengthy closures multiple times a year and will get worse without action. 

Revitalisation of the South Bank precinct would also connect and complement the Crisafulli Government’s broader city-shaping renewal of Brisbane’s south side, including the new Gabba Entertainment and Housing Precinct (including a new world-class indoor Arena) and the transformation of the Visy site. 

This is an early step in exploring what industry could do in partnership with South Bank Corporation to transform the iconic precinct ahead of 2032 and beyond. 

The process will consider how South Bank can continue to support jobs, tourism, small businesses, cultural activity and economic growth while remaining a place for everyone to enjoy. 

Any future proposals will be subject to consultation and appropriate planning, governance and statutory approval processes. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was setting South Bank up for generations to come.  

“South Bank is the perfect example of generational legacy that can flow when the eyes of the world are on you. There was Expo 88, and now 2032 and beyond will help drive the next evolution of this iconic destination,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.  

“This is about exploring bold ideas and opportunities for the precinct’s future while ensuring it remains quintessentially South Bank by protecting what makes it special, including delivering a new lagoon, preserving much-loved parkland and community spaces and continuing to be a place for everyone.