The Queensland Government has broken new ground for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with borehole drilling commencing at Victoria Park in Brisbane.
The borehole drilling being undertaken by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) is assessing ground conditions across the park to inform the location, design and delivery of the two major venues that will be the centrepiece of the world-class Victoria Park precinct.
Surface level site investigations including topographical, flora and fauna and cultural heritage surveys have already been completed with borehole drilling, contamination investigations, ecological assessments and utility mapping to commence from today.
It comes just weeks after the Crisafulli Government appointed the first contract for stadium delivery since Queensland was awarded the 2032 Games, with Arup as principal contractor for the Victoria Park Precinct Master Plan.
GIICA CEO Simon Crooks said today’s announcement was another important milestone as the Authority continued to build its delivery pipeline.
“Being out on site at Victoria Park is another milestone as we work to deliver the 17 Games venues,” Mr Crooks said.
“The insights we gather from these investigations will play a key role in design and construction so it’s important we take the time to get it right as we deliver these incredible venues.”
The Australian Government allocated a capped contribution of $3.435 billion to the $7.1 billion Games Venue Infrastructure Program with this agreement reached following project validation work, which determined 17 new or upgraded venues could be delivered on time and on budget, represented a good use of taxpayer dollars, and would benefit Queensland for decades to come.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said today’s announcement marked a significant step forward in Games delivery.
“Labor’s Games backflips and cost blowouts resulted in community uncertainty and put Queensland at risk of losing the 2032 Games altogether following 1,200 days of chaos and crisis,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“The 2032 Games are now back on track and this work is a tangible sign of the strong progress being made towards the delivery of legacy infrastructure.
“Just over six months ago, the Crisafulli Government announced Victoria Park was the major stadium location in the 2032 Delivery Plan and 200 days later the plan is fully funded, and we are officially in the ground.”
