What’s happening?
The Queensland Government has appointed Arup to lead the integrated masterplan for the Victoria Park Precinct, one of the most significant projects ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The precinct will be home to the future Brisbane Stadium, the National Aquatic Centre, and the Brisbane Athletes Village. It will also serve as a central hub for sport, recreation and community life long after the Games.
Arup will oversee the planning, design and technical investigations required to shape the precinct. This includes developing the Infrastructure Structure Plan, which will form the first stage of detailed master-planning
Why it matters
The Victoria Park Precinct will play a central role during the Games. Brisbane Stadium, with its 63,000-seat capacity, will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The National Aquatic Centre will stage world-class swimming and aquatic events. The Brisbane Athletes Village, located within walking distance of the precinct, will accommodate athletes and officials.
The project is intended to create more than Games infrastructure. It aims to deliver new green spaces, transport links, and recreational facilities that will be used by Queenslanders for generations.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said, “Bringing on board global experts marks a major step in delivering generational infrastructure that will leave a lasting legacy for Queensland. The industry’s enthusiasm for this project has been fantastic, and I’m confident Arup will maximise outcomes for Queenslanders.”
Local impact
During the Olympic Games, more than 10,000 athletes and officials will stay in the Brisbane Athletes Village. During the Paralympic Games, more than 5,000 will be accommodated.
The precinct is being planned in collaboration with Brisbane City Council and the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA). This collaboration will ensure that the masterplan integrates seamlessly with existing urban spaces, parklands, and transport connections.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said, “We began Victoria Park’s transformation from a golf course four years ago and the Crisafulli Government’s plan will ensure it becomes a must-visit destination for everyone. This precinct will be the beating heart of Brisbane, where green turns to gold during the Games and Queenslanders unite to celebrate sport, culture and lifestyle long after.”
By the numbers
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63,000 seats – Brisbane Stadium capacity, hosting the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
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10,000+ athletes and officials – accommodated in the Brisbane Athletes Village during the Olympics.
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5,000+ athletes and officials – accommodated during the Paralympic Games.
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20 firms – submitted expressions of interest to help shape the precinct.
Zoom in
The first stage of planning is the Infrastructure Structure Plan. This will map key roads, pathways, and public spaces, and ensure smooth pedestrian and transport access during the Games. Technical site investigations will also take place, supporting the design and delivery of major infrastructure.
Arup Project Director Penny Hall said, “Our track record includes working hand-in-hand with communities, partners, and governments to deliver not only a world-class Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, but also a legacy that continues to thrive nearly 15 years later. From the Sydney 2000 Games through to Paris and now Brisbane, our approach to masterplanning is grounded in a once-in-a-generation lens.”
She added, “The opportunity to reimagine the inner Brisbane precinct as a world-class hub for recreation, events, entertainment, and lifestyle as a lasting legacy for Queenslanders well beyond the Games is both familiar and tremendously exciting for our team to be a part of.”
Zoom out
The appointment of Arup follows the recent call by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority for expressions of interest for principal architects for Brisbane Stadium and the National Aquatic Centre. With less than seven years until the Opening Ceremony, momentum for Brisbane 2032 is increasing.
With the Master Plan underway, South East Queensland is witnessing major investment in precinct planning. These projects underline the government’s focus on shaping spaces that deliver long-term benefits, with Victoria Park central to the Brisbane 2032 Games legacy.
What to look for next
The Infrastructure Structure Plan will be finalised in the first stage of the masterplan. This will guide future works on stadium construction, aquatic facilities, transport links and the public realm.
Community consultation will also play a key role in shaping the parklands and public spaces. The focus will be on ensuring the precinct is a destination not just during the Games but for decades beyond.
