Planning fast track for Brisbane Olympics
Legislation will allow the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority to override 15 major planning laws.
THE 2032 Brisbane Games timeline is set to benefit from new laws designed to slash red tape that could delay construction.
The legislation will allow the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) to override 15 major planning laws.
They include the Environmental Protection Act, the Planning Act, the Local Government Act, the Queensland Heritage Act, and the Nature Conservation Act.
The laws would allow the state government, rather than local councils, to sign off on proposals for all Games venues.
After four years of delays, the proposal’s been welcomed by the real estate industry as a one-off, but necessary, move to ensure delivery of venues which will also help nearby property prices.
“Exceptional projects require flexible approaches,” said chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, Antonia Mercorella.
“While planning frameworks exist to protect the character of our suburbs, it is not every day that a city shaping opportunity like the Olympics comes along.”
She said the decisions on venues and infrastructure were not taken lightly, but after extensive review including “expert led assessments and stakeholder consultation.”
“The Olympics is a transformative event that demands timely delivery of venues and infrastructure,” she said.
“The plan is now set, and we need to get cracking.”
Brisbane real estate agent, Murray Pegg, of Aurora Property agrees, saying “Brisbane needs to stop talking and start turning dirt.
“With the 2032 Games fast approaching, streamlining approvals is essential to deliver housing, infrastructure and venues that will benefit the city well beyond the Olympic Games.”
Cr Mark Hammel, Gold Coast Deputy Mayor and chair of the council’s Planning and Environment Committee, doubts there would have been delays in approvals for Olympic venues in the Gold Coast area, regardless of the legislation.
“But when it’s a regional Olympics across many different local government areas, it is probably the right call for the state government to introduce the legislation,” he said.
“They have to make sure that everything is delivered on time, and that the maximum benefits for Queensland can be achieved.”
