Brisbane 2032: The Race to Deliver the Games

With the procurement phase officially underway, Queensland’s newly established Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) opened Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for one of the most significant infrastructure appointments in the state’s history – the Infrastructure Delivery Partner. 

What’s at Stake  

The chosen Delivery Partner will lead program management across the entire Brisbane 2032 infrastructure program, coordinating planning, risk, scope, cost and schedule for 17 new and upgraded venues under Queensland’s 2032 Delivery Plan.  

In short, they will be responsible for keeping billions of dollars’ worth of Games infrastructure on time and on budget.  

GIICA expects to appoint the successful partner by late 2025, following a Registration of Interest (ROI) and EOI process announced at the GIICA Industry Briefing on 4 August, which drew more than 1,500 stakeholders across design, construction, and infrastructure delivery. 

“The procurement of a delivery partner is a critical step in delivering venues and getting shovels in the ground,” said Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie. “We have no time to waste.” 

Industry Heavyweights in the Running 

Submissions closed in August and early industry conversation points to three powerhouse partnerships vying for the Delivery Partner title: 

• Laing O’Rourke + AECOM 

• Bechtel + Jacobs 

• GHD + Arcadis + APP + EY 

Each group brings global experience managing multi-billion-dollar projects, but only one will lead in orchestrating Brisbane’s $7.1 billion Games infrastructure pipeline.  

The Bigger Picture 

The appointment of GIICA’s inaugural permanent CEO, Simon Crooks, marks another major milestone. Known for his collaborative, transparent delivery style, Crooks will oversee the Games’ infrastructure rollout under the framework of the Crisafulli Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan, supported by a state–federal cost-sharing agreement announced in July. 

According to GIICA Chair Stephen Conry, this stage signals real momentum: 

“More than 50 extra fields of play — courts, fields, pools — will be built for community or high-performance usage through the GIICA venue program,” he said. “No matter how you cut the numbers, the economic and social benefits are outstanding.” 

What It Means for Industry 

For the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. 

The 17 venue projects, spread across both metropolitan and regional Queensland, are expected to fuel workforce participation across design, manufacturing, logistics, and delivery. To see all the venues, visit the 2032 Delivery Plan website.  

And while the Delivery Partner race will make headlines, local supply chains and SMEs will be critical to turning vision into venues. 

Final Thoughts 

The Brisbane 2032 Games are more than an event, they’re a decade-long infrastructure challenge. Queensland’s delivery model will set the tone for how Australia delivers future mega-projects.