'Shemozzle': Olympics plan could lead to venue delays

A 2023 Games review will assess "new, upgraded and temporary venues" such as the Victoria Park plan. (HANDOUT/ARCHIPELAGO)

Brisbane 2032 planning has been slammed as a "shemozzle", sparking fears Olympic venues might not be completed on time.

The Australian Construction Association warns the Queensland government's 100-day review could lead to 2032 projects being delivered at the same time, putting them at risk of delays.

Association CEO Jon Davies took aim at the previous Labor government, saying three years had been wasted since Brisbane was named Olympic host.

He said Queensland was still no closer to a 2032 plan, with the Liberal National government's independent infrastructure review not due until March 2025.

"The Olympics, what a shemozzle we’ve had there," he told a state parliamentary hearing on Tuesday.

"Industry has got no greater certainty as to what they're supposed to be building, how they're supposed to be building it, where they're supposed to be building it.

Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Construction Association
Three years had been wasted since Brisbane was named Games host, construction chief Jon Davies said.

"Ours is an industry that needs to be able to plan ahead."

It could take up to two years for a company to put together a successful bid for a new project, Mr Davies said.

But construction companies would have far less time, as tenders were set to be sent out soon after the 100-day review was completed, with the 2032 Games fast approaching.

Mr Davies said instead of projects being spaced out, the 100-day review might lead to them being delivered at the same time, which would potentially create delays.

"One thing that suffers when we get all squashed up and we're all trying to rush around, trying to do things, is productivity," he said.

Mr Davies on Tuesday aired his concerns at a committee hearing scrutinising the introduction of a productivity commission.

He welcomed the commission but did not indicate whether it would be able to prevent delays to the Olympics venue plan.

The commission will be tasked with independently reviewing the construction sector, recommending ways to fast track projects and avoid cost blowouts.

Poor productivity in the construction industry across Australia cost $56 billion, Mr Davies said, and nearly $11 billion in Queensland alone.

"That number is enough to pay for all planned Olympics infrastructure with enough money left over to build a few schools and hospitals," he said.

A general view of the Gabba in Brisbane
The previous Labor government opted to upgrade ageing facilities such as the Gabba.

The LNP government on Tuesday backed the independent review to "get on with the job" and deliver a 2032 blueprint after looking at all submissions.

The review will assess "new, upgraded and temporary venues", with 2032 boss Andrew Liveris recently backing a proposed $3.4 billion stadium in Brisbane's Victoria Park as the Olympic centrepiece.

The previous Labor government knocked back the idea, copping criticism for instead opting to upgrade ageing facilities such as the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba.

Asked what he thought of building the Victoria Park stadium, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie on Tuesday said: "I think we've just now got to let the (review) people do their job.

"It's a 100-day review. We wanted it to be an independent review and they now have to get on with the job and look at all the submissions."

The LNP government has been adamant Olympic venues will be built on time and within the $7.1 billion budget.

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