The state’s business community welcomes this week’s commitment to provide certainty for key 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure projects across the state, including plans to work with businesses to deliver some of the most significant Games projects and assets.
Business Chamber Queensland CEO Heidi Cooper said the Games would provide enormous opportunity for Queensland, especially where businesses were supported to participate in and capitalise on these opportunities.
“Infrastructure is not developed in isolation but rather must be intrinsically connected to broader economic, social, and business contexts to ensure its relevance and impact beyond the Games and across the state,” Ms Cooper said.
“This week we saw world-class Olympics venues promised in Brisbane as well as Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Maryborough, Mackay, Whitsundays, Rockhampton, Logan, Moreton Bay and Redlands and places in between.
“And at the heart of this infrastructure plan is a thriving city and world-class stadium in Brisbane that will position our city and our state as a global and contemporary competitor.
“At the same time, we applaud the Premier’s commitment to the Queensland story – with Queensland food and drinks, in buildings made using Queensland products and celebrating Olympic and Paralympic medals made using Queensland minerals.
“These Games can and should be delivered with Queensland products, Queensland skills and Queensland businesses.
“The Olympics is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the whole state, and we welcome this investment in regions across Queensland and in our capital city.
“Our vision is to leverage the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a transformative opportunity to bring prosperity to Queensland by growing investment, embracing sustainability and implementing digital innovation so we can ensure a business, economic and community legacy that traverses the state and benefits all Queenslanders.”
Ms Cooper said well-planned, integrated and connected infrastructure had significant and long-term benefits and generated multiplier effects, stimulating local economies.
“With the clock ticking and the 2032 deadline fixed, the business community is now looking to how they can participate in and capitalise on this opportunity, including effective procurement and capability building pathways,” Ms Cooper said.
“The 100-day review report made clear recommendations to further support and build business capability to participate and benefit. Starting with Business Chamber Queensland’s world-leading ecoBiz program, there is an opportunity to build on this and create even stronger business capability that will mean the Games benefit all businesses. We welcome this acknowledgement in the report.
“By leveraging the event to uplift business capacity and capability across the state, Queensland can foster long-term economic growth and strengthen its position as a leader in innovation and sustainability.
“Queensland must adopt bold initiatives that extend beyond the immediate event needs to ensure the Games deliver measurable economic, social, and environmental benefits.”
Ahead of the report delivery, Business Chamber Queensland made a submission to the 100-Day Review Panel of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority, including a series of recommendations across governance, early engagement with the business community, clear procurement schedules and expectations, fostering regional development, ensuring workforce readiness and embedding sustainability into all aspects of Games delivery.
“While there is significant opportunity to be realised from the Games, barriers must be addressed for positive legacy outcomes to be realized,” Ms Cooper said.
“These include maximising workforce availability and capability, reducing regulatory burden, increasing certainty in supply chain expectations to secure efficient and resilient supply through procurement and increasing productivity.
“Brisbane 2032 is an opportunity to shape Queensland’s economic future. Committing to these initiatives can create a legacy that benefits businesses, communities, and future generations.”
