Host of new development projects kick off in Queensland
As consultation opens today on Brisbane’s Olympic Infrastructure blueprint, InDaily looks at a host of new state government infrastructure and development plans including thousands of new homes in Bundaberg.
As the the 2032 Olympic Games loom, South East Queensland is seeing a boom in developments as the region prepares for an influx of residents and visitors.
Today, public consultation opened for the centrepiece of the State Government’s Olympic infrastructure plan, the Victoria Park Precinct encouraging Queenslanders to have their say on the major infrastructure project.
Connecting Victoria Park, the new Brisbane stadium, the National Aquatic Centre and the Ekka Showgrounds, the Victoria Park Precinct is expected to be an inner-city recreation, sporting and entertainment precinct, with the master plan prepared by firm Arup.
The 63,000-seat Brisbane Stadium will replace the Gabba to serve as the city’s premier stadium, becoming the future home of the Brisbane Lions (AFL), Brisbane Heat (T20), and Queensland Bulls (Cricket), and with a concert capacity of 70,000.
The draft Legacy Plan for the precinct outlines strategic connections through upgraded path and public transport networks, along with enhanced ecological assets and diverse activity spaces.
The Plan shows a public amphitheatre, foot bridges linking across the city, a new community sports hub including athletics track, expanded York’s Hollow wetlands, forest trails and walkways.
While a Brisbane Athletes Village will be delivered at the Brisbane Showgrounds, to accomodate more than 10,000 athletes to be converted into permanent housing post-Games.
The showgrounds are also listed for an upgraded outdoor arena seating 20,000 and improved accessibility across the precinct.
Sophie Richards of Tract Consulting said with the 2032 Olympic Games expected to bring thousands of visitors to the city, the need to ensure our public spaces are accessible and inclusive is crucial.
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“In order to provide truly inclusive spaces for the greater future of Brisbane, we must go further than conventional, compliance-based accessibility interventions and look to peoples’ lived experiences.”
The plan also outlines the revival of the traditional waterway, establishing green corridors along the valley and expanding York’s Hollow wetland to restore ecological systems.
Around two-thirds of Victoria Park was expected green and public space, free and open to locals and visitors year-round, with urban forest to be restored.
Jared Thorp, Senior Landscape Architect at Arup said spoke about the importance of Brisbane’s green spaces ahead of 2032.
“The expected influx of visitors for the 2032 Games, combined with Brisbane’s rapid population growth, means there will be added pressure to accommodate new developments while responding to flood risk and other environmental constraints.”
He added that vegetation is the most practical solution to Brisbane’s overland flow easements, which will also deliver ecological benefits, improve the landscape and reduce the need for carbon-intensive drainage infrastructure.
“We see these opportunities in both high-rise developments and major housing estates as Brisbane continues to grow and prepares for 2032. Green infrastructure isn’t separate from development – when it’s planned well, it can deliver environmental, social and economic benefits at the same time.”
Public consultation is now open until Sunday, September 27, allowing community members, with controversy already surrounding the plans particularly for Victoria Park.
Premier David Crisafulli said the precinct would provide a world-class free precinct that will deliver a legacy for Brisbane for 2032 and beyond.
“Just as South Bank defined a city as the gift for Expo 88, Victoria Park will be the legacy of 2032 – a place that belongs to Queenslanders once the Games have gone.”
Olympic Infrastructure Timeline
August to September 2026: Victoria Park Precinct Draft Legacy Plan and public consultation
2027: Final Legacy Plan to be released
2031: Pre-Games construction complete
Stay informed, daily
July to September 2032: The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games take place
Late 2032: Legacy conversion of Brisbane Stadium, National Aquatic Centre, Brisbane Athletes Village and parkland commences
2042 and beyond: Urban forest established and maturing in the parkland, Precinct legacy vision delivery
Gold Coast’s transport links
The state government also has announced two new Gold Coast routes connecting existing transport and activity nodes between Nerang, Broadbeach, Robina and Miami boosting east-west transport connectivity.
Property Council Queensland Executive Director Jess Caire said these announcements were a positive blueprint for the future of the Gold Coast’s transport.
“It is vital that planning settings leverage these new transport links to deliver housing, commercial opportunities and amenities in well-located areas.”
She added that confirmation that the rail reserve will be preserved between Varsity Lakes and Gold Coast Airport was a better planning outcome.
Improved East-West connections were expected to support the Gold Coast’s continued growth, helping to unlock new development opportunities while ensuring residents can access jobs, services and recreation more easily, Caire said.
Updates for the Wide Bay Burnett region
More than $52 million state government funding has been announced to fast-track more than 4,700 new homes in Bundaberg as part of Round 2 of the Residential Activation Fund (RAF).
The funding will boost three projects from Round 1 of the RAF to undertake crucial planning work, translating paper plans to pavement.
More than $38 million will be invested to deliver major road, water and sewer upgrades to 3.6km of Back Windermere Road and Ashfield will see $4.7 million in funding to upgrade local sewer pump stations
An additional $9.4 million will fund the construction of a new 2.8km water main, sewer pump station to support further residential development in Elliott Heads.
Besides the RAF, the State Government has also committed to transform under-utilised state land for housing under the Land Activation Program, allocated $2 million to unlock 51,000 homes and will continue the $30,000 First Home Owner Grants.
State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie said new homes needed roads, water and sewerage infrastructure to support them.
“These three projects will unlock more than 4,700 extra places to call home for Queenslanders while supporting growing communities in and around Bundaberg, and demonstrate what’s possible when government partners with councils, landowners and developers to remove barriers to housing,” Bleijie said.
The State Government also released the draft Regional Plan for the Wide Bay Burnett, a 20-year vision that sets a target of delivering nearly 49,000 new homes – 2,447 annually – across the region by 2046.
It outlined plans for housing, a thriving economy, agriculture, ecotourism, healthy and liveable communities, and the infrastructure to support future growth.
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