Rumours have been swirling that Brisbane is set to be the destination for the 2032 Olympic games. But as this prospect becomes increasing likely, we decided to take a look at what hosting the 2032 Games would mean to Brisbanites.
For the first time in history, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is considering selecting a region rather than a city to host the games, which could see events extending from the Gold Coast right up to the Whitsundays, with the majority of events being held in South East Queensland.
The objective of the IOC is for the event to be cost-neutral to the region, with the cost of hosting the games offset by $2.5 billion from the IOC and $1 billion in ticketing revenue. Premier Anastacia Palazczuk claims the city already has 85% of the required venues with only 7 new and 5 temporary venues requiring construction, making these funds available for infrastructure projects instead of stadiums that will languish empty long after the games are over.
This enables the funds to be used towards projects such as rail and an additional motorway which will benefit both residents and visitors long into the future. Brisbane locals are all too familiar with that lurch in the stomach at the approach to the omnipresent Sunday afternoon traffic heading home from the beach, but the spread of the games across the south east will hopefully force increased connectivity between the Sunshine and Gold Coasts via Brisbane.
With people already moving to South East Queensland in droves in the wake of the pandemic, with priorities shifting away from proximity to the office and towards lifestyle and environments, the opportunity to host the Games will showcase to the world the unique and special lifestyle Brisbane has to offer.
The prospect of the Olympic Games in Brisbane coupled with the upcoming completion of the Cross River Rail and Queen’s Wharf precinct makes Brisbane’s horizon an exciting one which will be sure to attract an influx of investors and residents alike as the city notorious for being the ‘little sister’ well and truly comes into its own.
