Tag: Brisbane Olympics 2032

Fortitude Valley Builders Join $7.1b Olympic Push

Photo Credit: Delivering 2032 and Beyond

Construction firms based in Fortitude Valley are preparing to compete for contracts in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, as key venue locations are finalised.

Read: Spring Hill to Become Home of Australia’s Largest Aquatic Venue for 2032 Games

Decade Turns to Deadline

Initial plans for Brisbane’s Olympic infrastructure were drafted with an 11-year window. However, with just seven years remaining, the planning phase has shifted swiftly into delivery mode. Queensland’s building sector now faces a tight schedule to deliver venues and facilities on time.

Brisbane Athlete Village for Brisbane 2032
Caption: Brisbane Athlete Village planned for Brisbane Olympics 2032.
Photo Credit: Delivering 2032 and Beyond

Valley Firms at the Forefront

Fortitude Valley-based contractors have emerged as frontrunners for major Olympic work. Besix Watpac, with a portfolio including the Queensland Country Bank Stadium, is preparing for bids on the Brisbane Stadium, aquatic facilities, and the athletes’ village. Meanwhile, Hutchinson Builders, the state’s largest contractor, has set its sights on the athletes’ village contract.

Showgrounds Shape the Olympic Village

The RNA Showgrounds site has been selected for the main athletes’ village, aligning with a proposal backed by RNA and developer Lendlease. Lendlease, already developing a large-scale residential tower at the site, maintains a long-standing partnership with RNA, enhancing its position in the delivery strategy.

National Aquatic Centre and Precinct
Caption: National Aquatic Centre and Precinct planned for Brisbane Olympics 2032.
Photo Credit: Delivering 2032 and Beyond

Design Meets Density Challenges

Urban planners and architects have flagged concerns about the impact on public green space. With the showgrounds and surrounding areas already densely developed, the inclusion of new amenity zones is seen as a necessary trade-off to support long-term community benefit.

Shifts in Spending Priorities

From the original $7.1 billion budget, $2.6 billion has been redirected away from a planned inner-city arena. That funding will instead support indoor sports centres in Logan and Moreton Bay, along with a whitewater facility in Redland. The arena, still part of the Games strategy, will be constructed near the Gabba as a public-private partnership project, attracting interest from major entertainment operators.

Brisbane Showgrounds
Caption: Brisbane Showgrounds planned for Brisbane Olympics 2032.
Photo Credit: Delivering 2032 and Beyond

Clock Ticking on Delivery

With less than a decade to go, construction timelines are under scrutiny. Builders are urging immediate action, noting that the proposed delivery programs leave limited buffer time before the Games commence.

Despite these pressures, stakeholders remain confident that the shortened timeline is feasible. Industry observers have noted that Olympic host cities are typically confirmed seven years out — and Brisbane’s early confirmation in 2021 merely offered a head start, not a requirement for early execution.

Outlook for Fortitude Valley’s Role

Read: Brisbane’s Inner North Bounces Back Strong After Cyclone Alfred Pause

With major developments centred around the RNA Showgrounds, Fortitude Valley is poised to become a hub of Olympic activity. As tenders are released and projects move into active construction, the Valley’s builders, developers and planners will play a key role in shaping the Games’ physical legacy.

Published 27-Mar-2025

Plans for Howard Smith Wharves Raise Concerns Over Heritage and Flooding

The proposed redevelopment of Howard Smith Wharves into a nine-storey hotel and entertainment precinct has raised questions about heritage preservation, public access, and environmental impact.

Read: Boutique Hotel and Overwater Pool Planned for Howard Smith Wharves Transformation

Developers HSW Nominees and Artemus Group have lodged plans to redevelop the eastern portion of Howard Smith Wharves, a historic site along the Brisbane River. The project includes a 77-room hotel, a theatre and music hall, a rooftop pool and dining area, expanded public spaces, and improved access through two new cliff lifts.

Howard Smith Wharves
Photo Credit: DA A006618899 

Designed to integrate with the Brisbane cliffs and reflect the area’s woolstore heritage, the hotel will feature a brick facade with arched designs, referencing the nearby Story Bridge.

A wellness spa, event spaces, and additional retail outlets will complement the development. Public amenities such as pathways, parklands, and boardwalks will adhere to Brisbane’s “Buildings That Breathe” sustainability guidelines.

Pool plans for Howard Smith Wharves
Photo Credit: DA A006618899

Heritage and Environmental Concerns

Howard Smith Wharves, listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1997, is a site of cultural and historical significance. The proposed demolition of the existing Felons Barrel Hall to make way for the hotel and the potential impact on air raid shelters and the Rivershed building have drawn scrutiny from Council and the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).

Concerns also focus on the project’s environmental impact, particularly the overwater pool deck extending 30 metres into the Brisbane River. The site’s susceptibility to flooding, as evidenced during the 2022 floods, has prompted calls for detailed tidal and stormwater management plans.

Public Access and Community Connectivity

A significant aspect of the redevelopment is its potential to enhance public access to the riverfront. Two new cliff lifts are planned to improve connectivity between the river and nearby areas such as New Farm and Fortitude Valley. However, Council has requested design adjustments to ensure the Riverwalk and pedestrian pathways can handle increased traffic without compromising safety or accessibility.

The development also proposes expanded public spaces, including a revitalised Bougainvillea House with landscaped terraces and a floating brewhouse on the river. These additions aim to blend the site’s modern features with its natural and historical surroundings.

Economic and Community Impact

Artemus Group has stated that the redevelopment will generate more than 2,500 jobs during and after construction, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, retail, and construction. The precinct is expected to become a central attraction leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, offering a destination for locals and tourists alike.

Despite these benefits, community and heritage advocates remain cautious about the scale and design of the project.

Objection of Howard Smith Wharves redevelopment
Photo Credit: Submission/DA A006618899 

Council has asked for alternative building designs to ensure compatibility with the site’s historical and cultural significance while promoting sustainable urban growth.

Read: Howard Smith Wharves Reduces Carbon Footprint with Solar Energy and Efficiency Upgrades

Developers have until mid-March 2025 to respond to the detailed queries from SARA and Brisbane City Council. If approved, the project will be delivered in stages to minimise disruption to the precinct’s existing operations.

Published 4-January-2025