Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games president Andrew Liveris says he remains confident all venues and major infrastructure will be ready for the Games, despite escalating industry warnings over labour shortages and delivery risks.
His reassurance comes as Australian Constructors Association chief executive Jon Davies cautioned that it would be “not feasible” to complete Olympic stadiums, arenas and transport projects without a major overhaul of industry productivity and collaboration.
With large projects needing to be finished by 2031 for testing, Davies said, “That’s the size of the challenge.”
Infrastructure Australia has projected a national shortfall of 300,000 workers by 2027, complicating Queensland’s $116.8 billion infrastructure pipeline.
Independent MP and former Olympian Zali Steggall said skilled migration would be essential, warning that engineers and tradespeople were already being drawn into energy transition and AUKUS projects.
Sector leaders also flagged supply and productivity risks, with calls for earlier contractor engagement, faster procurement, and streamlined design processes.
Lendlease, building the athletes’ village, said early planning would be crucial, while the Queensland government has cut its procurement policy from 700 pages to 50 to ease pressure.
Despite the concerns, Liveris said the Games delivery program is “very much mobilised,” with expressions of interest underway for all venues.
“In the next six months will be fitting sport to venues,” he said. “I’m very confident it’ll be done.”
Steggall added that all venues must be ready a year early for test events and stressed the importance of a seamless athletes’ village: “You need the infrastructure and the housing to be so good you don’t notice it.”
Source: AFR.
