UPDATE: The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are officially open for business as organizers unveil a massive procurement program worth over $2.5 billion. This announcement comes as Olympic chiefs launched the first wave of procurement contracts just today, aiming to involve local businesses in this monumental event.
More than 50 contracting opportunities have been identified, with Andrew Liveris, the head of the organizing committee, emphasizing the importance of including small and medium-sized enterprises in this initiative. Games Minister Tim Mander urged these businesses to seize this unique chance, stating, “Now we want our small (and) medium-sized business to also experience that buzz.”
The contracts will be crucial as preparations ramp up for the Games, with the first batch aimed at ensuring a successful rollout of facilities and services leading up to 2032. Brisbane’s Victoria Park is set to become the central hub, featuring a planned $3.7 billion, 63,000-seat main stadium.
However, the excitement is met with increasing tension. Outside the launch event, a group of Save Victoria Park protesters gathered, brandishing placards and raising concerns over environmental impacts. They released a report warning that the main stadium may not be completed on time, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the project.
“To those firms looking to get involved in this destructive project, we would say in the strongest possible terms: reconsider,” said Sue Bremner of Save Victoria Park. “It drags our city backwards, both in terms of valuing our environment and reconciliation with First Nations peoples.”
Legal actions are underway regarding the stadium site, lodged under the Commonwealth’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. These applications aim to protect what is deemed one of Brisbane’s most significant First Nations cultural sites, as the state government pushes forward.
Despite protests, Minister Mander reaffirmed the government’s commitment, stating, “We live in a democracy, and it’s great that people can do that freely and safely.” He also announced the formation of an Indigenous advisory board, led by former Olympian Patrick Johnson, to ensure that First Nations voices are heard throughout the process.
The clock is ticking for Brisbane’s preparations, which gained momentum after the state government unveiled its venue blueprint in March. This announcement came over 1,300 days after Brisbane was awarded the Olympic hosting rights. The government’s swift legislative actions aim to bypass numerous environmental regulations to expedite the construction process.
As the procurement process unfolds, businesses are encouraged to act quickly to take advantage of these lucrative opportunities. With contracts expected to be awarded in the coming months, the excitement and potential for local economic growth are palpable. Stay tuned as we bring you more updates on this developing story.
