The Brisbane 2032 Olympics presents both significant challenges and opportunities for construction companies including a stretched market, rising costs, potential workforce shortages, and the need to balance immediate game needs with long-term legacy projects.
An estimated $200 billion in Queensland Government procurement opportunities have been created based on the need for new and upgraded sporting venues, infrastructure, and transport networks. This includes the 63,000 seat stadium at Victoria Park, the refurbishment and expansion of the Gabba, the new National Aquatic Centre planned for Spring Hill, the athlete’s village at RNA Showgrounds and more. There’s also a significant focus on building the transport infrastructure require to move people around effectively including the new Gabba Underground Terminal, Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro and other major road and rail upgrades.
All together $7 billion in infrastructure has been committed for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with the Australian Government investing up to $3.435 billion toward key venue infrastructure.
But these projects won’t get built without the required people. Queensland will need tens of thousands of extra construction workers, with the pipeline of infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games expected to heap enormous pressure on the sector. In fact, estimates show 30,000 to 40,000 additional workers, each year until 2032, will be needed for projects across the sector, including the Olympics.
Southeast Queensland is facing a monumental task of delivering hundreds of projects across various programs by 2032, amplified by the construction market’s resource constraints and rising costs. Master Builders Queensland CEO Paul Bidwell said he was confident the deadlines for the Games venues would be met, but the challenge will be “getting everything else that’s to be built done at the same time”. “We’re in the middle of a housing crisis, we’ve got an enormous spend on hospitals, schools, transport infrastructure, and renewable energy investment over time, with the Olympics on top,” he said.
Mega projects, particularly Olympic projects have historically not boasted a good track record of finishing on time and on budget, but there is confidence that the deadlines for the Games venues will be met. Early engagement with the industry around project design and construction to come up with creative ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs will be critical in achieving these goals.
To deliver the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, a focus on sustainable construction technologies, materials, and strong collaboration will be crucial, encompassing the use of recycled materials, digital tools, and a collaborative approach involving government, industry, and unions. In fact, Government and industry will need to collaborate more closely than ever before, and embrace innovative new processes, materials and technologies. Construction will need to be treated like an Olympic team sport where all the different players are working together for the greater good.
Innovation and collaboration are the key themes being covered at the 5th annual Future of Construction Summit (FCON) taking place in Brisbane from 20-21 May. The Summit features over 100 speakers from Government, construction and engineering firms, as well as an exhibition with 70+ leading technology and solution providers, networking events and more. It’s where all the key stakeholders responsible for delivering the Brisbane Olympics and other major national projects will come together to get the latest updates, connect and form important partnerships.
With over 600 attendees expected, this is the most important gathering of construction leaders and innovators in Australia.
For more information and how to register, go to: futureofconstructionsummit.com
FuturePlace looks forward to welcoming you to the construction industry’s premier national event in Brisbane on 20-21 May 2025.
Leon Kantor
Event Director
Future of Construction Summit
Brought to you by FuturePlace
