Queensland legislation has been updated to remove hurdles to the development of venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the amendments would ensure legislation was fit for purpose with a clear line of sight for project accountability.
Minister Bleijie said changes to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements (BOPGA) Act 2021 would streamline planning approval processes and clearly define responsibilities for a successful Games.
“Following completion of the 100 Day Review and the release of the 2032 Delivery Plan, the focus is firmly on delivery,” he said.
Minister Bleijie said under planning changes, Games venues, village developments and transport infrastructure would be lawful despite other relevant acts, including the Queensland Heritage Act, the Planning Act, and the Local Government Act.
“This will ensure the Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority and the State can successfully deliver the generational infrastructure for Queenslanders, on time and on budget.”
Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the total number of directors on the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee Board would also be reduced.
Minister Mander said this was in line with recommendations from the independent 100 Day Review, to improve decision-making efficiency in the lead up to the Games.
“Stakeholders and partners made it clear through the 100 Day Review that the current governance arrangements had added an additional level of complexity to the delivery and coordination of the Games.
“Amendments to the Act will see the total number of directors on the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee Board reduce from 24 to 15 in line with the recommendations from the review.
“This will reduce bureaucracy and streamline processes allowing experts, like Andrew Liveris, President of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, and his team to get on with the job of delivering the best Games yet.”
The announcement came in the same week passed State Parliament passed the Queensland Academy of Sport Bill 2025 which enables the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) to become a Statutory Body on July 1.
Minister Mander said the move would provide the QAS with the autonomy and agility needed to take operations to the next level and continue to develop a strong pipeline of Queensland athletes.
He said the QAS had established itself as the leading sport institute in the country and currently supported more than 530 athletes across 21 sport programs.
“This is another important step forward in our plans to ensure Queensland remains a dominating force in world sport and is recognised as the undeniable home of sport in Australia,” he said.
“We want Brisbane 2032 to be our most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games ever and this is an important step to make sure that happens.”
