Brisbane is set to leverage the current energy running through the Asia-Pacific and use the 2032 Games as a springboard to become a lifestyle supercity.
A new report, released today, found Brisbane was on track to deepen its economic and social options as both its population and international awareness increased.
Produced by professional services firm RSM, The Leading Cities – Brisbane 2025 report shows the city is going through a lightening-speed transformation.
RSM’s Brisbane Managing Partner Steve Healey said there were already signs that economic and demographic energy was creating new liveable layers that would take Brisbane into the next league of global cities.
Mr Healey said the report, which included interviews with community and business leaders, highlighted that:
- SEQ was on track to be as large as Singapore is today by 2046.
- This would create the critical mass to give locals and visitors far more lifestyle and economic choices. This includes a richer night economy and more activation of the river.
- Brisbane was in the top five cities of choice globally for digital knowledge economy “work anywhere” employees.
- The city was attracting increasing international investment and tourism interest, and this was expected to grow in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Brisbane was in the midst of a “brain gain” with innovators and people of traditional working age choosing to move here.
- The city’s environmental credentials were attracting international attention.
He said when Brisbane’s history was written this period would provide one of its most compelling chapters.
“Whether it’s the confidence that the 2032 Games have given us, the energy running through the Asia Pacific, or just an alignment of stars, our 2025 Leading Cities – Brisbane report documents a city with unstoppable momentum,” Mr Healey said.
“As a professional services company we have a box seat for much of the activity happening in our city. There are upsides and downsides that come with rapid growth.
“Brisbane will need to learn to morph quickly without losing its renowned lifestyle, networks and highly social approach to doing business.
“There seems to be growing optimism that we can pull this off.”
Committee for Brisbane CEO Jen Williams said record population growth would support the fabric of a vibrant and energetic world city.
“Getting population growth right will mean we can actually service all of those wonderful things that we’ve always wanted like river taxis, coffee shops downstairs in apartment buildings, or more places to dine,” Ms Williams said.
“We often talk about how we close early as a city, if we’ve got more people we can stay open later.
“The challenge for us is to maintain our lifestyle as we grow, but I think we’re just becoming more Brisbane.
“We love the river, and we’re spending more time on the river. We love dining outdoors, and we’re getting more venues that have outdoor dining.
“We’re building the transport infrastructure to make sure we can still connect and keep that social equity that’s probably missing from some of the other cities as well.”
Brisbane’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris said the city was maturing into a “lifestyle superpower.”
Mr Liveris said Brisbane’s iconic attractions were a collection of intangible things that no other city could replicate, and together they made a whole.
“I was leaving Brisbane on a plane – it was a beautiful sunny day. And as the plane took off, I got a full view of the city with the Story Bridge, South Bank, the river and the many bridges crossing over. I took a picture, and I said that looks iconic to me,” he said.
“Okay, so there wasn’t an Opera House, or an Eiffel Tower. But I don’t know whether you need one. I think you need the entire view of what is becoming a vibrant, growing, very fascinating city that’s evolving.”
Mr Liveris, and other contributors to the report, pointed out that Brisbane had joined a small and exclusive club of Olympic cities that become household names well after the event.
“That’s a pretty spine-tingling moment,” he said.
“You’ve got to figure out how you present yourself on the world stage, and we’re working hard on that.”
Queensland Futures Institute CEO Steve Greenwood said there was no need for Brisbane to create new “built icons” to achieve global recognition.
“We’ve got something better,” Mr Greenwood said.
”We’ve got a lifestyle, a climate, a broad culture that wholistically is very attractive, we’ve got people who are friendly and open.”
“It’s (also) our natural attractions, such as the Great Barrier Reef and other globally unique natural areas which make us standout.”
Download: Brisbane Leading Cities Report 2025
