Worker shortage threatens venue deadline for 2032 Games

Perth Now

22-05-2025

The finish line is fast approaching in the race to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, sparking construction concerns for organisers.
But the International Olympic Committee has backed a 2032 venue plan after several false starts, saying the Brisbane Games are "on the right path.
Olympic heavyweights have gathered in Brisbane for a landmark meeting, receiving a 2032 update from organisers.
The three-day event that concluded on Thursday marked the first time IOC delegates have visited Australia since Brisbane was unveiled as host almost four years ago.
The 2032 venue plan was finally unveiled more than 1300 days later in March.
The clock is now ticking, with the Queensland government vowing to ensure boots on the ground to meet the 2032 deadline amid resource shortages and escalating prices in Australia.
But Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday conceded labour availability was a potential hurdle in the final sprint to the Games.
"I agree, it's a concern," he told reporters.
"We are part of a bigger problem, and one that has to be solved by the current (Queensland) government ... (but) they're very dedicated to doing it."
Inner-city Victoria Park is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub under the plan, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built.
Mr Liveris did not think shovels would be in the ground for major venues until the end of 2026, warning projects had to be completed by 2031.
But he seemed pleased to finally have a venue plan after a 100-day review under the current Liberal National government.
It marked the third - and what organisers surely hope will be final - 2032 blueprint after previous Labor plans were scrapped.
"It's really hard to plan when the plan keeps moving on you, right?" Mr Liveris said.
"We're not out of the woods completely but ... we have certainty around some pretty big decisions."
The LNP government moved to help ensure infrastructure was built on time by passing a bill that would guarantee 2032 Olympic sites are exempt from planning laws.
They include the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts, sparking outrage from advocacy groups.
The final plan's delay forced the IOC to push back confirmation of Brisbane's 2032 sports program by 12 months until 2026.
However, IOC Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said the plan was worth the wait.
"The question is not so much that the plan has changed, but is it a better plan? The answer is yes," he said in Brisbane on Thursday.
An advocacy group had sought an urgent meeting with the IOC during their Brisbane visit after claiming the proposed Victoria Park stadium defied the Games' principles.
The 2032 blueprint was guided by the Olympics' "new norm" principles aimed at avoiding massive cost blowouts that have plagued past Games.
Host cities are now encouraged to cut spending by reducing new infrastructure and using existing or temporary venues.
The Save the Victoria Park advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year.
The group has argued Olympic venue construction would destroy valuable green space at a site of significance to First Nations communities.
However, 2032 co-ordination commission chair Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski had no concerns over the proposed site or the planning law exemption.
"We are confident that Brisbane 2032 is on the right path," she said.
Ms Jarworski took over as chair from IOC president-elect Kirsty Coventry who was also in attendance in Brisbane along with outgoing Olympic boss Thomas Bach.