Latest news with #BrisbaneOlympicGames
ABC News
01-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Maryborough manufacturer Downer considers job cuts
A manufacturing company building trains for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games says it is discussing "potential redundancies" with employees due to its reduced workload. Downer Group in the heritage city of Maryborough, three hours north of Brisbane, released a statement on Thursday saying it was in talks with its employees following a dip in the organisation's workload. "Due to a reduction in the expected volume of work at our Maryborough facility, Downer commenced consultation with our workforce regarding potential redundancies," a Downer spokesperson said. "No final decision has been made, and we continue to explore opportunities to fill the gap in work, in order to ease any impact with our people." The company has more than 250 employees at the Maryborough site but it has not confirmed how many jobs are at risk. In 2023, Downer signed a $4.6 billion contract to deliver the then Palaszczuk government's Queensland Train Manufacturing Program, which included 65 passenger trains to be built in time for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. ABC Wide Bay — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Thursday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
The Guardian
26-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Brisbane Olympics infrastructure body urges LNP to fast-track controversial venues with special laws
The infrastructure authority for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games is pushing the Queensland government to suspend normal procurement rules and consider special planning laws to fast-track the approval and construction of controversial new venues. The Queensland government announced its venues plan for the Olympics on Tuesday, including plans to build a new stadium in the heritage-listed Victoria Park, Brisbane's largest inner-city parkland. The plan – the third version in four years since Brisbane was awarded the games in 2021 – was recommended after a 100-day review by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority. It was sold to the public on Tuesday as a 'final' plan that required urgency. 'The time has come to just get on with it,' the premier, David Crisafulli, has said. There has been significant public opposition to plans to develop Victoria Park, including from community leaders and even the former LNP premier Campbell Newman. The group Save Victoria Park says it has briefed barristers and could launch a legal challenge to protect the site. The 100-day review report noted community concerns and First Nations cultural heritage considerations that could create issues at Victoria Park. It recommended the stadium proceed and argued that 'special legislation' would likely be required to approve Olympics venues. 'It is essential that infrastructure is delivered on time for the hosting of a successful Games and to comply with the Olympic host contract,' the review said. 'This imperative is likely to necessitate GIICA being able to use streamlined development processes where required. 'This is to ensure that planning and other approval requirements are obtained in a timely and efficient manner, as is typically expected of major projects of state significance. 'It also may be necessary in the future to consider amendments to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act (or other special legislation) to ensure the timely delivery of these major projects.' Sue Bremner, the spokesperson for Save Victoria Park, said the push to build a stadium at the site had been 'like the return of the white shoe brigade' – a term used in the 1980s to describe property developers who exerted influence during the Bjelke-Petersen government. 'It's a bold land grab of heritage land,' Bremner said. Asked on Tuesday if the state government would introduce special planning legislation to head off a lawsuit, Crisafulli told reporters: 'I am very, very confident we can get this done.' The 100-day review also suggested that Queensland government processes for delivering major projects, and the state's standard procurement rules, would need to be set aside on a case-by-case basis. 'As projects move through the stages of the procurement process it is critical that every effort is made to fast-track the delivery of the infrastructure and venues,' the review said. 'The significant delays caused by years of uncertainty have seen substantial cost escalation due to the current market conditions and now time constraints. Any further delay will only see costs continue to escalate, whilst further exacerbating program risks. '[Queensland's] traditional contracting model does not enable GIICA the capacity to address current market constraints, complexity, or time sensitivities of the quantum of infrastructure to be delivered. 'GIICA needs the flexibility to adopt alternative models and innovative procurement approaches where required to manage on time and on budget delivery and will work with the Queensland government on exemptions on a case-by-case basis.' The review said 'critical actions' – including changing planning and procurement processes – for the Olympics 'underpinned by a steadfast commitment to ethical processes'. Crisafulli has vowed that the entire budget for Olympics venues – including commonwealth and private money – would be within its original $7.1bn funding commitment, regardless of cost increase. Transport and 'associated precinct' costs are not included and will cost 'many billions of dollars', the premier said. – With reporting by Andrew Messenger
The Guardian
25-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australia's sporting bodies back contentious new Brisbane 2032 plans
Plans for new and redeveloped venues for the Brisbane Olympic Games have broadly been backed by Australia's sporting authorities, though reservations have been voiced in some quarters after the Queensland government announced its intention to backflip on an election promise. After several false starts the Crisafulli government revealed on Tuesday that a new $3.8bn venue will be developed at Brisbane's Victoria Park and replace the Gabba stadium which will be demolished. The new development will include a national aquatic centre, while the nearby RNA Showgrounds will house the athletes' village. The Australian Olympic Committee welcomed the Queensland government's decision and the certainty that it brings ahead of Brisbane 2032. 'The Queensland government's response is a very positive step towards delivering a successful Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,' Ian Chesterman, AOC president, said. 'The reality is the Brisbane Games are a once-in-a-generation opportunity that creates potential legacy benefits that extend far beyond just the Games period.' Paralympics Australia was supportive of the broader plan while saving much of its enthusiasm for a newly proposed indoor sports facility upgrade at Chandler specifically for para-sport. 'Accessibility cannot be treated as an afterthought or a bolt-on just for the Paralympic Games,' PA president Alison Creagh said. 'It must be embedded in all infrastructure planning from the outset.' Australian Athletics and Queensland Athletics also welcomed the decision to lock in Victoria Park as the main site while calling for further detail on the long-term plans. 'While we are pleased to see clarity on where athletics will be showcased during the Games, we are deeply disappointed that today's announcement makes no mention of a lasting legacy for athletics,' AA said in a statement. 'Today's announcement leaves the state with no legacy venue and no suitable venue for lead up international and nationals events before the Games, impacting preparation, participation and performance.' The decision to demolish the historic 63,000-seat Gabba stadium and replace it with a new venue has been welcomed by current tenants the AFL, Cricket Australia, Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket. 'I can't wait to get to work with Brisbane and the government in the planning process and then in ensuring that once it is built, we sell out games at Victoria Park in the same way we sell out the Lions' games at the Gabba,' Andrew Dillion, AFL chief executive, said. Greg Swann, Brisbane Lions chief executive, added: 'The Gabba has been a great home for the past 30 years, but the city has outgrown it, the Lions have outgrown it, we'll top 70,000 members this year and the venue is reaching its end of life.' While the AFL has regularly fixtured games at the Gabba since 1991, the venue first hosted a Test in 1931 and was the site of the famous tied match between Australia and West Indies in 1960. 'We strongly advocated building a stadium in Victoria Park together with Queensland Cricket, the AFL and Brisbane Lions, and cricket will play a major role in ensuring this significant investment delivers long-term benefits for cricket fans and the people of Queensland,' CA said in a statement. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion Australia's water sports leaders were quick to welcome the announcement to develop a National Aquatics Centre as part of the Brisbane 2032 master plan. The Centenary Pool in Spring Hill will be upgraded and complemented by a new main and secondary stadium featuring two large indoor pools to support elite training and competition. The centre will also become a national base for swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming. 'Today we celebrate the most significant investment ever in aquatic sports in Australia,' Rob Woodhouse, Swimming Australia chief executive, said. 'Our magnificent Paralympians and Olympians will inspire us all through their achievements at the NAC in 2032 and for decades after.' Cam McEvoy, 50m freestyle gold medallist at Paris 2024, said he was excited by the prospect of bringing aquatic sports together under the one roof and 'all of the dreams it will ignite'. Lakeisha 'Lucky' Patterson, three-time Paralympic gold medallist, expects the venue to 'champion inclusivity'. But Rowing Australia expressed its concern with the plans after Rockhampton's Fitzroy River was named as the site for rowing and sprint canoeing in the 2032 Games. Freshwater crocodiles are regularly spotted in the Fitzroy River, although fears of an attack on the world's best rowers were dismissed by Brisbane 2032 chief Andrew Liveris. Rowing Australia boss Sarah Cook was more concerned about the current than crocs, and whether an event to be held in a river rather than a lake or man-made venue will meet international rowing regatta standards. 'Any rowing course used for international racing must pass the strict technical requirements of World Rowing and that assessment has not yet taken place,' said Cook, a two-time Olympian.
