It’s been quite the month for the Committee for Brisbane! A year of work behind the scenes has come to fruition with the launch of our new advocacy agenda, brand and website- and we couldn’t be prouder of how they have landed!

A huge thank you to local Brisbane companies Focused Marketing, Wave CRM, Three Plus and Bailey Print Group for your incredible support in bringing our vision to life. We hope our members not only appreciate the refreshed look and feel, but also find it easier to navigate our website and find the information you need.

Another big Committee project takes a step forward this week, with the proposed transition of our Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee to be put to a vote of our members tomorrow evening. While it won’t change our mission or our look and feel, we are hoping for the support of members to move to a fit-for-purpose company structure that is simpler and provides a higher level of autonomy in decision-making.

This month also marked a full year since the release of the Queensland Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan, driving certainty and big ambition around Games delivery. With a suite of announcements timed to align with the anniversary, one thing is clear- things are only going to get more exciting for Brisbane as we hurtle towards 2032!

The Games plans and associated developments will see the coming five years as the most pivotal in our city-region’s modern history. And with our internal structures updated and modernised, the Committee is well-placed to broaden our influence in pursuit of our vision of Brisbane as the world’s most liveable place.

The Committee for Brisbane has officially announced our new advocacy agenda for 2026.

This is the Committee’s first ever proactive agenda of its kind, with six city-region initiatives and six capital-city priorities designed to capture the once-in-a-generation opportunities ahead of us. Backed by five strategic focus areas — City Vision, Transport & Mobility, Games Legacy & Growth, #BIG (Brisbane Idea Generators), and Waterways at the Heart — we’re doubling down on making Greater Brisbane the world’s most liveable city-region.

Click here for a copy of the agenda.

At the same time, we have also taken steps to modernise the Committee’s constitution.

This delivers a streamlined membership structure, removes unnecessary complexity around operations and governance, and provides a higher level of autonomy around decision-making.

More broadly, the change has been driven by transitioning the organisation from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee.

This means not only an updated and more ‘fit for purpose’ Constitution, but also a new Board of Directors and a new regulator (as an Incorporated Association, the organisation is regulated under Queensland’s Associations Incorporation Act, however a Company Limited by Guarantee is registered under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)).

These changes ensure the Committee for Brisbane is professionally run, while ensuring our mission stays the same as an independent, not-for-profit, member-driven organisation. The final proposal to become a Company Limited by Guarantee will be subject to a vote of the membership via a Special General Meeting (proposed for 1 April 2026).

This month the Committee for Brisbane launched its refreshed brand and new website, reflecting our continued evolution and our commitment to serving members and shaping the future of the Brisbane city‑region.

Brisbane is at an inflection point. The next five years will be among the most pivotal in the city region’s modern history, with rapid growth, major infrastructure investment and increasing international attention. As an organisation approaching its 70th year, the Committee for Brisbane is evolving to ensure it can continue to guide and influence city shaping decisions in pursuit of our vision of the Brisbane city-region as the world’s most liveable place.

What’s new

• A refreshed visual identity that builds on our legacy while signalling the scale of opportunity ahead
• A redesigned website that makes it easier to access:
  • Events and forums 
  • Policy, advocacy and media commentary 
  • Our strategic focus areas:
    City Vision; Transport, Logistics and Mobility; Games Legacy and Growth; #BIG (Brisbane Idea Generators); and Waterways at the Heart

While our logo has been a familiar presence for more than four decades, this refresh reflects both how the organisation has evolved and the ambition required for the future.

What hasn’t changed
Our mission, independence and member driven nature remain central to everything we do. The Committee for Brisbane continues as an independent, not for profit organisation, supported by a diverse and engaged membership. The refreshed brand and website are intended to better tell our story, showcase the work underway, and support stronger engagement with members, stakeholders and the broader community.

We encourage all members to visit the new website, explore the updated content, and see how the Committee’s work is progressing as we move into a defining period for our city and region.

Thanks to our partners

This work was proudly delivered with local Brisbane organisations; Bailey Print Group, Focused Marketing, Wave CRM and Three Plus. 

Thank you for your continued support of the Committee for Brisbane.

This month, the Committee for Brisbane brought together representatives from across industry, the environment and academia for a collaborative roundtable focused on the Brisbane River.

Our river is one of our city’s greatest assets- environmentally, culturally and economically.

Discussions centred on how we can work collectively to not only better streamline and enhance activations on and adjacent to the river, but also protect the river’s health, and ensure it remains a defining feature of a thriving, connected Brisbane.

The roundtable also discussed:

• activation challenges, from tenure and process to timeframes and delivery costs
• upstream for downstream: cost-effective upstream mitigation measures, which have key positive downstream effects in the inner city and out to the bay
• practical measures to cater for increased volumes of watercraft
• better real-time mapping providing a single source of truth for all river stakeholders
• practical activation measures that take into account waterflow, flooding and navigation
• the need for shared direction and priorities.

The roundtable is the first in a series of steps the Committee is taking on the river this year, and we look forward to sharing more with our members and stakeholders.

On 18 March 2026, the Committee for Brisbane hosted Cementing our position as Australia’s economic and lifestyle capital at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, proudly sponsored by UQ Business School Executive Education.

The event highlighted the strong momentum behind Brisbane’s rise as one of Australia’s leading economic and lifestyle centres. With the Brisbane city‑region’s economy now exceeding $200 billion, the conversation focused on the scale of opportunity ahead and how the region can capitalise on its growing national and global profile.

Queensland Treasurer, the Hon David Janetzki MP, spoke to Brisbane’s potential to evolve into a national financial services hub, underpinned by regulatory stability, a skilled workforce and a maturing investment ecosystem. With global attention intensifying in the lead‑up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Treasurer emphasised the role of high‑value industries in attracting investment and creating long‑term career pathways, enabling Queensland’s young people to build their futures locally.

Panellists also reflected on strong domestic and international investor interest, particularly in energy transition projects, major transport infrastructure and emerging precincts linked to key transit hubs. A consistent theme throughout the discussion was the importance of delivering infrastructure that not only supports population growth, but also enhances the city’s liveability.

We extend our thanks to our panellists for their insights:

• Andrew King, Chairman, QIC
• Gert‑Jan de Graaff, CEO, Brisbane Airport
• Professor Trent Munro, General Manager, Boggo Road Innovation Junction (BRIJ)
• Nicole Stoddart, Group Executive Delivery & Risk, Transurban

Together, the conversation reinforced that Brisbane’s next decade presents a significant opportunity to translate economic growth into lasting outcomes for a strong legacy for the Brisbane city-region.

Major Sponsor

Check out photos from the event here. 

The event also marked the launch of the Committee for Brisbane’s new brand, strategic agenda and website. We thank the four Brisbane organisations that helped bring this refresh to life: Focused Marketing, Wave CRM, Three Plus and Bailey Print Group

Explore our website.

Our recent Boardroom Lunch brought together senior leaders from across Brisbane’s business and civic community for a discussion with Darren Burden, CEO of Suncorp Stadium.

Delivered in partnership with the Committee for Brisbane, Business South Bank and hosted by the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the lunch provided an opportunity to hear from Mr Burden following his recent appointment, and to gain insight into his vision for one of the city’s most important assets.

Mr Burden reflected on Suncorp Stadium’s role in supporting Brisbane’s liveability through major sporting, cultural and live events, and shared perspectives on its future in the lead‑up to 2031 and beyond. Discussion also explored the value of collaboration in maximising economic and community outcomes.

Thank you to Darren Burden for his insights, to Business South Bank for their partnership, and to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for hosting this engaging boardroom conversation.

The Committee for Brisbane is proud to announce this year’s recipient of the University of Queensland’s Women’s Prize- Lily Thomas. Lily is currently studying Chemical Engineering at UQ.

This is the second year of this prestigious award, recognising outstanding contributions by women in our community that drive positive change. Lily’s award acknowledges not only this contribution but also the values of empowerment, service and innovation.

Lily will join the #BIG (Brisbane Idea Generators) sub-committee, where she will contribute to its focus on driving Breakfast Creek activation.

We congratulate Lily and all involved and encourage nominations for future awardees to keep elevating Brisbane’s inspiring women.

Brisbane recently hosted the CEOs of the Committees for Capital Cities for a focused two‑day visit, bringing together leaders from across the network to strengthen relationships, exchange perspectives and spend time on shared city priorities.

Day one commenced with a working lunch at Howard Smith Wharves, providing an opportunity for the group to reconnect and reflect on developments across each capital city since the last meeting in Canberra in October 2025. The afternoon included a CityCat journey through the CBD, offering visiting CEOs a clear view of Brisbane’s urban transformation and river‑centred development.

The group then visited South Bank and Fish Lane, including a private tour of the newly completed Glass House Theatre. Crossing the Neville Bonner Bridge, discussions continued at Queen’s Wharf, with time on the Sky Deck to take in the scale of the precinct and its significance to Brisbane’s future.

The day concluded at Riverside Centre with a Committee for Brisbane member briefing, generously hosted by Deloitte. Members heard directly from CEOs representing Adelaide, Greater Hobart, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as they outlined key priorities and areas of focus looking ahead to 2026. The discussion reinforced the extent to which Australia’s capital cities face common challenges — and the value of sharing experience, policy thinking and leadership approaches across jurisdictions.

Day two was dedicated to deeper discussion and alignment, hosted at BDO’s Brisbane offices. The CEOs spent the morning working through areas of common interest, opportunities for collaboration and future research priorities. Committee for Brisbane Treasurer and BDO Partner Tony Young also provided an overview of BDO’s new headquarters at 360 Queen, highlighting the practical benefits of the new workplace.

Following lunch, the group visited Bowen Hills and Victoria Park for a guided tour of Brisbane’s Olympic Precinct. Hosted by Committee for Brisbane Vice President and Australian Olympic Committee Chief of Public Affairs and International Relations, Jacob Anson, the tour examined the future sites of the National Aquatic Centre, Brisbane Stadium and the Athletes Village, and the broader implications for the city’s north‑east.

While some CEOs departed at the conclusion of the site visit, the program continued with Committee for Greater Hobart and Committee for Adelaide joining an upcoming lunch event with the Hon David Janetzki, Gert‑Jan de Graaff, Trent Munro, Nicole Stoddart and Andrew King.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase Brisbane’s progress, deepen CEO‑level relationships within the network and continue building a shared understanding of the priorities shaping Australia’s capital cities.

Thank you to our generous hosts and partners for supporting the visit.

To learn more about the vision and priorities of the Committees click here. 

This month our sub-committee members continued to get out and about, this time with our Transport, Logistics and Mobility Sub-Committee visiting Transurban’s state-of-the-art Traffic Control Room in Kedron.

Members were given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how the Transurban team monitors over 1,500 CCTV cameras, coordinates rapid incident response, and manages traffic flow across key roads and tunnels using cutting-edge technology.

The scale of real-time decision-making and collaboration with emergency services is testament to Transurban’s commitment to safer, smoother journeys for Queenslanders.

With recent University of Queensland research (‘Car-free trial reveals Brisbane living ‘too hard’ without a private vehicle’) pointing to the tension between car usage and public transport investment, a commitment to safer journeys is strongly related to the wider focus on infrastructure and urban planning. As noted by UQ’s Associate Professor Dr Dorina Pojani, “in low-density, sprawling cities like Brisbane, people cannot be expected to permanently give up driving unless there is significant investment in public transport.”

A huge thanks to the Transurban team, including our sub-committee member Toby Gilmour, for the warm welcome. Visits like this highlight the critical role of smart infrastructure in our growing city.

This month our #BIG (Brisbane Idea Generators) sub-committee convened two key meetings, linked to its goals on activating Breakfast Creek- one of our city’s vastly underutilised natural assets.

Its first session was a Griffith University workshop, led by Associate Professor Julienne Seynard, that honed in on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and Value Proposition Canvas for Brekky Creek stakeholders. This assisted members to develop activation solutions based on a series of customer profiles, many of which the team has already begun to explore in practice.

At its regular catch up, the #BIG Team was also visited this week by Hamilton Ward Councillor Julia Dixon, who discussed the Breakfast Creek Waterway and BCC’s plans for the adjacent area, the waterway’s unique stakeholder mix, its emerging densification, and past and future flood resilience measures.

We look forward to sharing more on #BIG’s emerging Brekky Creek achievements.

March 2026 marks a year since the release of the Queensland Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan.

One year on, progress is evident: venues are advancing, procurement opportunities are opening for businesses across the Brisbane city-region, the Games Vision “Believe. Belong. Become” has been launched, and the shift from planning to implementation is underway through all levels of government, and the Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority (GIICA), and 2032 Brisbane Organising Committee.

In the past week, the State Government has announced:

• Populous as Principal Architect for the new 10,000 seat Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre.
• Architectus as Principal Architect for the Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade project.
• The demolition of the PCYC at Logan to make way for the new Logan Indoor Sports Centre.
• Brisbane Stadium: a field of play size and shape equivalent to the Melbourne Cricket Ground; an east-west field configuration to account for sun, wind and legacy needs of AFL and Cricket; and a location near Gilchrist Avenue to account for public transport and the park’s contours.

Another key announcement has been around the future Gabba Entertainment and Housing Precinct.

The project aims to deliver a world-class 17,000-seat indoor arena for concerts, sport and major events, alongside thousands of new homes and vibrant mixed-use spaces. Connected to public transport, the precinct- formerly part of the Cross River Rail project- will create an urban hub to help boost housing supply.

Geotechnical drilling is testing ground conditions to inform foundation designs, with site preparation and enabling works set to begin mid-year.

Two consortia have been shortlisted from a global field of eight bids:

• Brisbane Entertainment Alliance Consortium: Capella Capital, Lendlease (Construction & Development), AEG and Legends Global.
• Gather Brisbane Consortium: Plenary Group, Live Nation and OVG.

Both will now submit detailed design proposals, with the successful proponent expected to be announced later this year and construction starting in the first half of 2027.

For further information on the Gabba Entertainment and Housing Precinct and the procurement process, please visit here. For further information on other Games venues please visit here.

Brisbane’s cultural landscape has reached an exciting milestone with the opening of the Glasshouse Theatre at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in South Bank. Officially welcoming the public in March 2026, the new venue is already being hailed as a transformative addition to the city’s arts scene.

The 1,500-seat Theatre, QPAC’s fifth venue, cements the precinct as Australia’s largest performing arts centre under one roof. Designed by Blight Rayner with Snøhetta, its curved glass façade echoes the Brisbane River, while the interior draws on Queensland’s natural landscapes. With advanced acoustics, flexible staging, and modern facilities, the theatre is built for major productions, reflected in an opening season featuring Messa da Requiem, The Last Ship, and The Drover’s Wife – The Opera, blending international and local talent.

With its blend of innovative design, cultural significance, and ambitious programming, the Glasshouse Theatre is more than just a new building—it is a symbol of Brisbane’s growing confidence as a global cultural city

Amazon’s recently announced expansion marks a significant boost for the Brisbane city-region’s economy. The global e-commerce giant has begun construction on a state-of-the-art robotics fulfillment centre at Flagstone in Logan City Council.

The $750 million, four-level facility will span 150,000 square metres and is set for completion in 2028.

The facility will harness advanced robotics to process over 125 million packages annually, building on Amazon’s existing presence in Lytton; and strengthening Brisbane’s role as a logistics hub through is proximity to the Gateway Motorway, Port of Brisbane, and the rapidly expanding Brisbane Airport.