The first contract for the athletes’ village for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been awarded.
The $87-million contract has been won by BMD for the works—the Northshore Brisbane Street Renewal Program.
The program, enabled by Economic Development Queensland and announced by Premier Steven Miles on Friday, will pave the way for the Brisbane Athlete Village.
Works will begin onsite this month.
It marked a significant milestone in the city’s preparations for hosting international athletes and para-athletes for the Games, the Government said.
The village will form part of a colossal waterfront renewal project—spread across more than 300ha, it will comprise a mix of retail, residential and commercial properties and, in 2032, host 10,000 athletes from across the world.
“The accelerated works include several new roads in the Northshore precinct as well as significant enhancements to existing roads, such as the creation of a sub-tropical boulevard along Macarthur Avenue,” it said in a release.
“The tree-lined boulevard will feature separated cycleways, footpaths and landscaping including native plants. At full maturity of the trees, it is estimated that 75-80 per cent of the road verges will be covered in shade, creating a sun-safe, cool environment for residents and visitors, including athletes and para-athletes at the Games.
“Smart and multi-function light poles will be installed throughout the precinct, supporting enhanced connectivity and security features.
Northshore’s Macarthur street transformed
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“Ultimately, the Street Renewal Program will also create new development sites ready for the Brisbane Athlete Village to commence construction in coming years.”
The government last year allocated more than $154 million towards the infrastructure works.
Speaking at The Urban Developer’s Urbanity conference on the Gold Coast, Hutchinson Builders director Jack Hutchinson said the volume of government work needed to be done in the lead-up to the Brisbane Olympics meant the company would need to be more selective with its projects.
“We’ll be playing our part and tender competitively on a number of the minor venues and indoor sports centres,” he said.
“We’re one of the main tower builders in Brisbane, so I imagine we’ll also target some of the Olympic village work when that’s released.
“But we probably aren’t interested in the major stadium work. It’s not for us to put all our eggs in one basket on a project of that size.
“Certainly, we’re not going to abandon our private developer clients … we want to maintain a diversified book of work.”
Hutchinson said the company’s workbook was currently about a third government projects but that was likely to increase.
“We are having to be more selective just because of the amount of government work that has to get done between now and 2032. We haven’t been awarded anything yet … but certainly we’ll be playing our part.”
Premier Miles said these early works would transform Northshore Brisbane and “deliver a better, more connected Brisbane”
“Northshore will become home to Team Australia, and incredible athletes and para-athletes from right around the world, when Brisbane hosts the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.
“And after the Games, this area will be repurposed into much-need housing, including social and affordable homes.”
