With five years gone, experts say 'not a second to lose' on Olympic build

Five years have passed since Brisbane secured the rights to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and industry experts are sounding the alarm: there is no time to waste if the promises made are to be fulfilled. While the Queensland government's delivery plan suggests significant progress since 2021, a closer look at the timeline reveals a stark reality.

The plan dedicates most of its graphical representation to the period from the bid's success to the present day. The remaining portion, detailing what must be accomplished before the opening ceremony, is notably brief and lacks specific details, hinting at the numerous challenges ahead. This includes the construction of seven new sporting venues and upgrades to ten existing ones, all within a $7.1 billion budget.

These ambitious plans face considerable headwinds. The construction sector is currently grappling with a shortage of labor, soaring material costs, and precarious fuel security. Despite these obstacles, the government maintains that all projects will be completed on schedule and within budget. However, industry experts emphasize the need for a strong, collaborative relationship with the construction sector, which has experienced friction with unions over industrial codes.

In 2021, the announcement of Brisbane as the host city was met with widespread celebration. Then-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk assured the public that the Games would not result in "white elephants," noting that over 80 percent of proposed venues already existed, requiring only seven new constructions. The government also highlighted an 11-year runway as ample time. Yet, five years into the process, with six years remaining, tangible progress on new venue construction remains minimal, and some promises have been broken.

"So, while it might seem like six years is a long time, it perhaps is just the right amount of time if we get on with delivering these projects," said Australian Constructors Association chief executive Peter Colacino. "There's not a second to lose." The past five years have been marked by the typical pre-Games excitement, but also by significant twists, political shifts, protests, and a notable stadium debacle. The Gabba stadium, initially chosen for athletics and ceremonies, faced a proposed $1 billion rebuild that ballooned to $2.7 billion, necessitating the demolition of an adjacent school, which sparked community opposition.

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So, while it might seem like six years is a long time, it perhaps is just the right amount of time if we get on with delivering these projects. There's not a second to lose.