The Queensland Government has appointed the principal contractor for the delivery of the Victoria Park Precinct Master Plan, a major step toward the 2032 Olympics.
The selected contractor, Arup, is a global built consultancy, and brings a wealth of experience in developing complex master plans on major projects to kickstart the integrated Master Plan for the Victoria Park precinct, including the Brisbane Showgrounds and the National Aquatic Centre.
It comes as momentum continues to build for the 2032 Games with less than seven years to go until the opening ceremony.
The announcement comes a week after the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) opened Expressions of Interest for principal architects for Brisbane Stadium and the National Aquatic Centre.
The State Government received 20 Expressions of Interest to deliver the integrated Master Plan for the Victoria Park Precinct, including the Brisbane Showgrounds and the National Aquatic Centre, indicating enthusiasm in the market to build generational infrastructure for Queenslanders to enjoy as a world-class hub for recreation, events, entertainment, and lifestyle.
During the 2032 Games, the precinct and stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies within walking distance of the Brisbane Athletes Village, accommodating more than 10,000 athletes and officials during the Olympic Games and over 5,000 during the Paralympic Games.
The first phase of the detailed master-planning process for the Victoria Park Precinct (VPP) is the development of the Infrastructure Structure Plan which will include technical site investigations, planning and design the major pieces of connectivity and public realm infrastructure to support infrastructure delivery and ensure visitors can move seamlessly around the precinct.
The Master Plan will also focus on world-class and iconic public and green spaces, improving connectivity, and creating seamless experiences for the thousands expected to enjoy the precinct during and long after the Games.
The Crisafulli Government is working closely with Brisbane City Council, the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), and other key stakeholders to ensure integrated design outcomes across the precinct.
The co-location of key venues to create an iconic Victoria Park Precinct include:
- Brisbane Stadium – a state-of-the-art main Stadium with seating capacity for 63,000
- National Aquatic Centre – a world class facility for Games events, designed for future competition and community use
- Brisbane Athlete Village – part of the Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment delivering inner-city housing post-Games
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said the Victoria Park Precinct Master Plan principal contractor was a major step forward for the delivery of the Games infrastructure program.
“Bringing on board global experts marks a major step in delivering generational infrastructure that will leave a lasting legacy for Queensland,” Bleijie said.
“This phase of the master plan for Victoria Park precinct will ensure key venues, including Brisbane Stadium and National Aquatic Centre, are designed on time and with a clear vision to benefit Queenslanders for decades to come.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, said the Queensland Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan would build on Council’s plan to transform Victoria Park into a destination for everyone.
“We began Victoria Park’s transformation from a golf course four years ago and the State Government’s plan will ensure it becomes a must-visit destination for everyone,” Mayor Schrinner said.
“This precinct will be the beating heart of Brisbane, where green turns to gold during the Games and Queenslanders unite to celebrate sport, culture and lifestyle long after.
“Brisbane is the sporting capital of Australia and this milestone demonstrates we’re not just preparing for the Games but creating a legacy that will inspire generations well beyond 2032.”
Arup project director, Penny Hall, said that this precinct would be a world-class hub for recreation, events and entertainment and lifestyle.
“The opportunity to reimagine the inner Brisbane precinct as a world-class hub for recreation, events, entertainment, and lifestyle as a lasting legacy for Queenslanders well beyond the Games is both familiar and tremendously exciting for our team to be a part of,” Hall said.
“Our track record at Arup includes working hand-in-hand with communities, partners and government having helped deliver not only a world-class Olympic and Paralympic Games in London but also a lasting legacy that continues to thrive nearly 15 years later.
“Our local and global experience partnering with host cities reaches from the Sydney 2000 Games through to Paris more recently and has been focused on master planning with a once-in-a-generation lens that the Queensland Government’s vision for the VPP also demands.”
