From Construction To Customers: Unleashing Business Growth Through Brisbane 2032


Article written by Claudia Nolan.

There is so much talk about the Olympics it can make it hard to understand what this means for your business. It can be so confusing to interpret all of this information however we will explore these ideas with you. This article will focus on how infrastructure investment could create opportunities for local small businesses, how better connectivity could expand local customer markets and how new precincts and facilities could attract more visitors.  

Infrastructure Investment Creating Opportunities For Local Small Businesses

It is anticipated that considerable infrastructure investment associated with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane will transform the city's economy and provide us local businesses with enormous opportunity.

There is a $100.6 billion pipeline of significant projects happening in Greater Brisbane with investments in transportation, tourism, health, and logistics infrastructure. (State of the City, 2025, p. 12).

This amount of investment is important to us because large projects create demand that extends well beyond the actual building sites. Although major infrastructure will be delivered by large contractors, their work is mostly supported by local suppliers, service providers, and subcontractors. Businesses like yours may benefit from this in areas including equipment supply, maintenance, marketing, catering, professional services, and logistics.

Additionally, the advantages go beyond the building stage. Improved public areas, renovated venues, and new transportation links are expected to draw more employees, locals, and tourists to the nearby precincts. Local businesses may experience higher foot traffic, stronger demand, and increased exposure to new clients as these neighbourhoods develop and become more active.

Building venues is only one aspect of the infrastructure investment associated with Brisbane 2032 for us in South East Queensland. It offers a longer term chance to join new supply chains, form partnerships, and develop with the growing local economy.

Better Connectivity Expanding Local Customer Markets

As the area gets ready for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane, better connectivity throughout South East Queensland will be crucial in helping local companies.  

It is anticipated that infrastructure spending associated with the Games will improve ties between Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast, contributing to the development of a more integrated regional economy (Deloitte Access Economics, 2025). These infrastructure improvements are not just going to affect Brisbane but the whole of Queensland. 

Improved transportation links allow our local businesses to reach a much wider consumer base. People are more inclined to explore new places for dining, shopping, and services when they can move around the neighbourhood more readily for business, events, and tourism.

Large-scale initiatives like Brisbane Metro which is currently costing $1.55 billion and Cross River Rail costing $19.041 billion are intended to facilitate increased access to local businesses by enhancing mobility around the city and connecting important commercial districts (State of the City, 2025) (Queensland Government, 2025). 

Have a think about how much more effectively your business could operate with improved connectivity around the city. Although most of this is happening because of the Olympics, we need to focus on the long-lasting positive impacts it will have on our businesses and city. Faster transportation networks shorten employee travel times, facilitate supplier access, and make it simpler for us to work with other companies in the area. Stronger infrastructure and connection may boost productivity and sustain long-term economic growth by fostering a more interconnected South East Queensland economy (Deloitte Access Economics, 2025).

For us, this means improved connectivity is not just about transport it is about expanding our reach, attracting new customers and positioning our businesses to grow alongside the region’s evolving economy. 

New Precincts And Facilities Attracting More Visitors

It is anticipated that new facilities and precinct expansions associated with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games would draw more tourists to South East Queensland, opening doors for our local small companies.

It is overdue for Brisbane to have improved venues remember in 2024 when Taylor Swift did an Australian tour but did not come to Brisbane because we did not have a big enough venue for her. However, if Taylor Swift is not your cup of tea think about the countless opportunities that you can watch sporting events or musicians who have chosen not to come to Brisbane because we did not have the capacity. Beyond this increased access to entertainment it also means for us as small businesses, new precincts and facilities which may increase the number of people visiting different parts of the city. Visitors are encouraged to explore the surrounding districts for dining, shopping, and local services by major events, entertainment venues, and improved public spaces.

Businesses in the hotel, retail, tourism, and other service sectors may be able to enhance their revenue and draw in new clients as a result of this increased activity. 

 


Furthermore, the $100.6 billion pipeline of major projects across Greater Brisbane is being invested across several key areas, highlighting significant infrastructure growth and economic opportunity (Queensland Audit Office, 2026; George James Consulting, 2026).

Transport and connectivity infrastructure

  • Cross River Rail (Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, n.d.)
  • Brisbane Metro (Queensland Audit Office, 2026)
  • Expansion of Brisbane Airport (including the second runway) (Queensland Audit Office, 2026)
  • Major road, freight and logistics upgrades (George James Consulting, 2026)

Olympic venues and entertainment infrastructure

  • Redevelopment of Gabba Stadium (George James Consulting, 2026)
  • Brisbane Live Arena (new entertainment venue) (George James Consulting, 2026)
  • Victoria Park Olympic precinct (Queensland Audit Office, 2026)
  • Upgrades to South Bank and key event spaces (Queensland Audit Office, 2026)

Tourism and precinct development

  • Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort development (Queensland Audit Office, 2026)
  • Hotel and riverfront developments (George James Consulting, 2026)
  • Upgrades to Port of Brisbane to support larger cruise ships (Queensland Audit Office, 2026)

Health, education and community infrastructure

  • Hospital and health precinct expansions (Queensland Audit Office, 2026)
  •  Upgrades to local sporting facilities and schools (George James Consulting, 2026)
  •  University and research infrastructure developments (George James Consulting, 2026)

Beyond primary Olympic projects, the Queensland Government is investing heavily in grassroots sport through programs such as the Games On! initiative, which is delivering up to $250 million to upgrade local sporting clubs and community facilities, alongside the $93 million Go for Gold Fund targeting school sports infrastructure (Queensland Government, 2025). These initiatives are considered foundational because the athletes who will represent the nation in 2032 are currently students. Therefore, high quality local venues are essential to support their athletic development and long-term participation in sport. 

Alongside this the investment in Brisbane Airport including the $1.1 billion second runaway is significantly increasing capacity and positioning Brisbane as a growing international gateway (Brisbane Airport Corporation, 2025). Combined with upgrades to the Port of Brisbane to accommodate larger cruise ships, this will bring more international visitors into South East Queensland, creating greater opportunities for us as local businesses. For further details on this you can visit our report here (LINK)


The 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics games are set to be a significant driver for infrastructure spending and connectivity not just in Brisbane but affecting the whole of Queensland. We are particularly excited about how infrastructure investment could create opportunities for local small businesses, how better connectivity could expand local customer markets and how new precincts and facilities could attract more visitors.


Brisbane North Chamber of Commerce (BNCC) provides a valuable platform to connect, collaborate and form partnerships when pursing these opportunities. If you are planning on working with others on tenders, BNCC can help to facilitate introductions and members are encouraged to reach out to the BNCC Executive Committee to build these connections. To find out more, reach out for a chat or pop along to our next event. 

References 

Brisbane Airport Corporation. (2025). Brisbane’s new runway (Western Runway). 

Brisbane Economic Development Agency. (2025). State of the City 2025. 

Cross River Rail Delivery Authority. (2025). Project overview. 

Deloitte Access Economics. (2025). Going for gold: The economic opportunity for the taking. 

George James Consulting. (2026). Brisbane infrastructure projects: Tracking the top 10 shaping the city’s future (2026 update).

Queensland Audit Office. (2025). Major projects 2025 (Report 8: 2025–26). 

Queensland Government. (2026). Games On! Queensland’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy program.