Brisbane 2032 procurement moves into delivery phase as venue contracts advance

With less than six years remaining until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, procurement activity across the Games venue program is accelerating.

Significant progress has been made on the flagship Victoria Park Stadium, while a series of other major venues have reached important procurement and design milestones.

The latest developments highlight the increasing focus on contractor engagement, delivery planning and cost management as the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) works to maintain program momentum within the Queensland government’s commitment to deliver all venues within the A$7.1 billion (US$5 billion) funding envelope.

Procurement milestones

Procurement for the new Victoria Park Stadium has reached a significant milestone, with joint ventures BesixWatpac/John Holland and Built/SACYR selected to participate in a dual competitive early contractor involvement (ECI) process.

Under the three-month ECI phase, each consortium will work independently with GIICA and the stadium design team to review the developing design and identify opportunities for innovation, buildability improvements and delivery efficiencies. A preferred contractor is expected to be selected following completion of the process, with an appointment anticipated later this year.

The use of a dual ECI model reflects a broader shift across major infrastructure projects towards collaborative procurement approaches that allow contractors to influence design development earlier and address delivery risks before construction begins.

GIICA formally took possession of Victoria Park on 1 June. Early works are being delivered by Queensland-founded BMD Group and are expected to continue until mid-2027, ahead of the main construction phase.

On 2 August, the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning released the draft Victoria Park Precinct Legacy Plan, prepared by Arup.

The draft plan proposes that approximately two-thirds of Victoria Park will remain publicly accessible green space following the Games. Proposed legacy features include a public amphitheatre, new pedestrian bridges, a community sports hub, expanded wetlands, forest trails and recreational walkways.

While the plan includes an event bus hub adjacent to the existing Herston bus station, questions remain regarding the capacity of transport connectivity. Notably, the draft proposals do not include a new Spring Hill or event rail station between the stadium and National Aquatic Centre, nor any expansion of the recently rebuilt Exhibition station at the Brisbane Showgrounds beyond its current two-platform configuration. The Queensland government is reportedly in negotiations with the International Olympic Committee about whether the Exhibition station can be operational during the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, due to security concerns about its proximity to the Brisbane Athlete Village.

Public consultation on the draft will remain open until 27 September.

Across the railway corridor from Victoria Park, design concepts for the National Aquatic Centre were released on 23 July.

The revised designs reportedly follow GIICA intervention to scale back earlier proposals and ensure the project remained aligned with budget requirements. GIICA is expected to take possession of the site, including the heritage-listed Centenary Pool precinct, from 1 September. Early works are expected to begin later this year, with major construction to commence during 2027.

The redesign process underlines the growing emphasis being placed on balancing venue aspirations against budget constraints as procurement advances across the broader Games program.

Several other Brisbane 2032 venues have also achieved notable procurement milestones in recent months.

Momentum across the wider Brisbane 2032 venue program

On 16 March, the City of Gold Coast selected the AmplifyGC consortium, comprising Plenary Group, Live Nation, Built, Cox Architecture and 3XN, as preferred proponent for the Gold Coast Arena public-private partnership project.

The venue is being overseen by GIICA but delivered by the City of Gold Coast. While project agreement execution was initially expected in early 2027, reports suggest discussions are ongoing between the council and Queensland government regarding a potential A$400 million funding shortfall. The council is reportedly exploring alternative arrangements, including potential asset transfers rather than additional direct funding. The arena remains targeted for completion by 2030 and is planned to accommodate at least 12,000 spectators.

Meanwhile, two consortia have been shortlisted to develop detailed proposals for the Gabba Entertainment Precinct, which includes the planned 17,000-seat Brisbane Indoor Arena:

• Brisbane Entertainment Alliance Consortium, comprising Capella Capital, Lendlease, AEG and Legends Global; and
• Gather Brisbane Consortium, comprising Plenary Group, Live Nation and Oak View Group.

Further progress has also been made on the Brisbane Athlete Village. Project partners Lendlease and the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA) have appointed an architectural team including Woods Bagot, Cottee Parker, DBI and Plus Studio, working in collaboration with UK practice Howells, to lead building design. BVN has separately been appointed to advise on the future development of the broader Brisbane Showgrounds precinct.

Ahead of the annual RNA show, on 5 August, the Queensland government announced that as a part of a revitalisation of the Brisbane Showgrounds, the Machinery Hill grandstand for the main arena will be replaced at a cost of A$287.5 million. Works will start following this year’s show and result in a 20,000-seat outdoor arena, upgraded grandstands, a multi-storey horse pavilion and major accessibility upgrades. Australia’s largest privately-owned construction company, the Queensland-founded Hutchinson Builders, has been appointed to deliver the works.

Historically, the main arena hosted early cricket, football, rugby league and rugby union internationals and test matches. As the main arena is expected to be part of the Brisbane Athlete Village during the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and not be an event venue, funding will be sourced from the A$3.5 billion athlete village budget, not the A$7.1 billion venues budget.

GIICA has also advanced appointments for several regional Games venues.

Architectus has been appointed principal architect for both the Barlow Park Stadium upgrade in Cairns and the Sunshine Coast Stadium project. Populous has been appointed principal architect for the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre.

Procurement activity for the delivery contractor is already progressing at Barlow Park. The upgrade is expected to include a new western grandstand, increasing permanent seating capacity from 1,700 to 5,000 spectators.

GIICA currently expects the invitation to offer phase for shortlisted delivery contractors to run between 24 August and 16 October.

Delivery pressures

While procurement activity is gathering pace, the main challenge for Brisbane 2032 will be converting planning and design into construction delivery.

The Queensland government continues to maintain that all Games venues can be delivered within the A$7.1 billion budget and has indicated that projects will not be scaled back or cancelled in response to rising costs.

However, with the opening ceremony now less than six years away, the coming months are likely to be critical. Decisions on contractor appointments, tender awards and delivery strategies will provide the clearest indication yet of whether current program assumptions and budget expectations can withstand the pressures facing Australia's infrastructure market.

Co-written by Matthew Gowlett of Pinsent Masons.