The Federal and Queensland Governments have announced that Expressions of Interest are now open for the construction contracts for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games sporting venues, eight years ahead of hosting.
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 Federal 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 visited the Kawana Sports Precinct on 17 May where a new $142 million indoor sports centre is set to be built, and the adjacent Sunshine Coast Stadium will receive a $148 million upgrade.
The Chandler Sports Precinct and Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre 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 in the coming months. 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 Federal Governments have committed to sourcing at least 30 per cent of procurement from Queensland SMEs for the Minor Venues Program, as well as targets for ten to 15 per cent of all the hours on the projects to be undertaken by apprentices or trainees.
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.
Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, said that the state is going to put on a fantastic Games under the IOC New Norms, one that leaves a lasting legacy in communities right across Queensland.
“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,” Premier Miles said.
“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.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that 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 Federal 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,” Minister King said.
“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.”
Queensland Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Grace Grace, said that Queensland’s golden decade of opportunity is here and the State Government is 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,” Minister Grace said.
“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 Federal 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.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm, said that these new and upgraded facilities won’t just benefit sporting communities on the Sunshine Coast, they’ll benefit all Queenslanders and those who travel to the state 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 need to be a success is delivered, and ensures a long-term transformational legacy is there for all to see following the games,” Senator Chisholm said.
“The Federal 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.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor, Rosanna Natoli, said that the funding announcement follows years of research and planning and is a direct and welcome result of Council’s 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,” Mayor Natoli said.
“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.”
Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President, Andrew Liveris, said that 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,” Mr Liveris said.
“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.”
Sunshine Coast Basketball Association SCBA) General Manager, Sean Page, said that the 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,” Mr Page said.
“This facility will also enable the SCBA to attract state, national and international events to the region which benefits not only the SCBA, but the entire Sunshine Coast.”
Featured image: A render of the completed Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre. Image credit: Federal Government.
