Another month has brought significant activity for the Committee and for the city, as we count down another year towards the opening ceremony of the Brisbane 2032 Games.

It was wonderful to feel and be part of the excitement on 23 July as we marked ‘6 years to go’. With sods being turned, a new countdown clock in the Queen Street Mall and the launch of Brisbane’s Legacy Plan, the Games is finally starting to feel real and tangible.

The Committee for Brisbane was delighted to help the Lord Mayor and City of Brisbane launch its Legacy Plan at a(nother) sold-out event on the anniversary of the Games.

Heavily focused on capturing and strengthening our city’s identity- and looking well beyond the next six years- the Plan reinforced the feedback of community and industry that was gathered through Council’s comprehensive Making our Mark campaign.

Projects such as the Green and Gold Grid (including the first tranche connecting Suncorp Stadium to Roma St Station), expansion of the Metro and City Cat networks, a reimagining of Mt Coot-tha and a focus on building the next generation of leaders, were warmly welcomed by the Committee for Brisbane. Each of these projects features in our 2026 Advocacy Agenda, launched earlier this year.

Once implemented, each commitment in the Brisbane Legacy Plan will help Brisbane deliver the legacy envisaged when the Council of Mayors put forward the original Games bid, way back in 2015.

And while on the Council of Mayors, they have again demonstrated their vision and leadership this week with the launch of their Advanced Air Mobility: New opportunities for SEQ discussion paper. While challenges and obstacles may spring to mind, the real and present benefits of AAM present a compelling case for the broader Brisbane City-Region. Congrats to the teams at Arup and Council of Mayors (SEQ) for your vision.

July also marked the end of a chapter for the Committee, as we bid farewell to our Policy Manager, Sean Jacobs. Well known to many across our membership and beyond, we thank Sean for being a wonderful colleague, friend and voice of the city during his time with the Committee for Brisbane. We wish him well in the next chapter of his journey.

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday for the Brisbane’s Games Legacy lunch at The Star.

The discussion highlighted the significant opportunity the 2032 Games presents to create lasting economic, social and infrastructure benefits for our city-region.

With just six years to go until the Opening Ceremony, the focus is firmly on collaboration, delivery and ensuring a legacy that will benefit future generations.

We greatly appreciated the insights shared by our panellists, Damian Thompson – LatStudios), Matthew Tervo – The Tervo Company, Rebecca Roberts – RACQ, and Councillor Krista Adams GAICD – Brisbane City Council. We also thank Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner for officially launching Council’s City of Brisbane Legacy Plan.

Our sincere thanks to our event partners, Major Sponsor Brisbane City Council, and Supporting Sponsors Articulous Communications and McCullough Robertson whose support helped make this event possible.

A special thank you also to the Brisbane Girls Grammar School String Quartet for opening the event with a wonderful performance and helping set the tone for an inspiring afternoon.

Check out the photo gallery here: https://lnkd.in/gACH-FBR

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Earlier this month, the Committee for Brisbane partnered with its counterparts across the nation through the Committee for Capital Cities to deliver a national webinar on the opportunities of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With almost 400 members from the Committees for Brisbane, Greater Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne joining the session, Dominique Lamb (Director of Community Affairs from the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee) walked attendees through the structure of Games delivery, along with how and when procurement of all manner of things- from whistles to kettles and merchandise to security services- will take place.

With much to be done, it was wonderful to connect organisations and individuals from across the country to ensure the whole country participates in, benefits from- and feels part of- this once in a lifetime opportunity.

For those interested in exploring opportunities further, check out this video from Brisbane 2032.

Brisbane this month claimed the title of Australia’s night-time economy capital, with more venues and more than double the sales turnover of Sydney or Melbourne. Thursday has emerged as Brisbies’ biggest night, powering suburban hubs, Fortitude Valley, the CBD and West End with student energy and pre-weekend crowds.

The annual Australian Night-Time Economy Report, commissioned by the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, revealed Brisbane’s core night-time economy is now 20 per cent bigger than pre-pandemic- mostly driven by the food and dining industries. Brisbane also bucked the national downturn in expenditure on drinks, seeing an uplift of 14 per cent, versus a decline of 1.2 per cent nationally.

But it wasn’t all positive news, with decreases seen across employment, leisure and entertainment, and accommodation.

This month also saw the release of Queensland’s Night-Life Economy Commissioner John ‘JC’ Collins’ landmark Moonside report, along with the Queensland Government’s response.

Of the 62 recommendations designed to support a $37.6 billion industry, a number of constructive measures were adopted, while leaving others for further consideration. 21 were not supported at this stage.

Supported actions, such as external drink advertising, stronger noise protections and cheaper licences for grassroots music venues, mark useful progress for businesses reliant on the night-life economy.

Proposals not supported include:

• easing ID scanners at smaller venues
• introducing facial recognition to ease entry lines
• trialling staggered closing times
• extending Fortitude Valley train services from 1am to 4am on weekends
• exploring 24-hour supermarkets in party precincts, and
• relaxing alcohol sales restrictions on Good Friday and Christmas.

With the Australian Night-time Economy Report and the Moonside report both reinforcing the value the night-time economy plays in supporting the safety and vitality of the city, it is critical that continued investment and regulatory reform are undertaken.

As the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaches, building on the adopted recommendations while revisiting the remainder would help Brisbane fully realise both our after-dark potential and build on our existing early-morning advantage.

As the Committee for Brisbane has recently noted- and as reinforced through recent announcements from Brisbane City Council–  Brisbane’s distinctive strength lies in pairing its nocturnal success with its world-leading dawn economy, where one in three food and beverage businesses already trade by 7am. When the dawn and night-time economies work in tandem they create continuous vitality, smoother employment flows and more resilient precincts, helping Brisbane achieve its goal of being a 24 hour city.

Brisbane’s favourite annual event, the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka), returns from Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 August 2026 at the Brisbane Showgrounds. This year marks a historic milestone- the 150th anniversary of the Ekka, which first welcomed crowds back in 1876.

For nine days, the Ekka will unite city and country with over 10,000 animals, 21,000 competition entries, showbags, carnival rides, award-winning food and wine, live entertainment, and the spectacular EkkaNITES fireworks each evening.

Other features this year include the Grand Parade on People’s Day (Wednesday 12 August- the Brisbane public holiday), the Animal Nursery, woodchops, and the beloved strawberry sundaes.

The Ekka remains a cherished Queensland tradition that showcases our city-region and state’s best produce, livestock, creativity, and culture.

Mark your calendars and tickets will be available at ekka.com.au.

Brisbane is one step closer to hosting world-class aquatic events with the unveiling of the vision for the National Aquatic Centre at Centenary Pool.

The Queensland Government announced this month ARM Architecture and NH Architecture, in partnership with Arkhefield, to deliver the swimming and water sports hub for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.

The centre will feature a main and secondary arena with large pools for elite competition and training, alongside a gym, high-performance spaces, and offices.

Announced this month was that the design embraces the heritage-listed Centenary Pool structures, with a striking roofline inspired by the movement of water and wind. It will complement the existing outdoor pools at Centenary Pool, while creating a lasting community asset for generations of Brisbies.

In terms of build, the Queensland Government has announced two builders will be shortlisted shortly, with construction works set to begin in September 2026 after the Games Independent Infrastructure Construction Authority (GIICA) takes possession of the site. Procurement is running in parallel with design development.

The National Aquatic Centre promises to be a transformational landmark for Brisbane.

This month the Queensland Government invested $4.5 million in maritime infrastructure at Brisbane’s historic Cairncross Dockyard.

Funded through the $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund, the project will install two major cranes at the site to provide essential capability for large-scale defence and commercial vessel maintenance, repair, and sustainment activities.

This investment forms part of the broader $2.5 billion Cairncross Dockyard revitalisation, which has been declared a Prescribed Project to fast-track approvals. Originally established in 1942 during World War II, the southside facility is set to become a key hub for maritime operations once fully operational.

The project aims to create more than 1,000 direct jobs and other employment around manufacturing, logistics, and supply chains.

Queensland contractor BMD has been appointed to deliver the next stage of early works for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic stadium at Victoria Park, with Committee for Brisbane members GHD as design partner.

Awarded by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority (GIICA), the early works package includes bulk earthworks, retaining walls, stormwater drainage, haul roads, erosion controls, semi-permanent fencing, and a logistics plaza. These critical site preparation activities will prepare the Victoria Park location for the main construction of the 63,000-seat Brisbane Stadium ahead of the Games.

Once complete, the Brisbane Stadium will host the Games opening and closing ceremonies and athletics, before becoming the long-term home of the Brisbane Lions and Queensland’s elite cricket teams. It will replace the Gabba as the city’s premier oval venue, with a legacy capacity of 63,000 (expandable to 70,000 for concerts).

This progress marks another exciting milestone for Brisbane’s Games infrastructure delivery and Victoria Park’s transformation.

The Queensland Government has declared a new Halls Creek Priority Development Area (PDA) on the southern Sunshine Coast.

Spanning more than 1,200 hectares south of Caloundra, the PDA aims to support the delivery of up to 12,000 new homes, along with community facilities, green spaces, and sites for local businesses.

The declaration follows recent Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) approval and will further aim to enable streamlined planning and infrastructure delivery to meet the region’s growing needs.

Public consultation on the Development Scheme is planned for later this year.

An Immersive Team-Building Experience Where Barriers Are Broken

The Para Tough Cup, presented by Paralympics Australia, is a fun, challenging and eye-opening team-building experience that gives participants the opportunity to step into the world of para sport. Coming to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this year, it’s an unforgettable experience that builds stronger teams while creating a greater understanding of inclusion and accessibility.

See it in action…  WATCH HERE

This is a major fundraiser for The Australian Paralympic Team on the road to LA28 and Brisbane2032.

The Para Tough Cup is a corporate challenge like no other – teams try Para-sports for the first time, competing side by side in an action-packed event that builds stronger teams while raising vital funds for Paralympics Australia.

Guided by experienced coaches and Para-athletes/Paralympians themselves, your team will tackle sports adapted for wheelchair, vision, and limb-different competitors. It’s fast, physical, and genuinely eye-opening – a shared challenge that builds trust and camaraderie far beyond a standard offsite, while directly supporting athletes on the path to podium.

New this year: the CEO Lunchtime Wheelchair Sprints, where senior leaders race head-to-head backed by their teams. A number of high-profile CEOs are already confirmed.

Why take part:

• A unique, high-energy team-building experience unlike any other
• Step into the shoes of someone with a disability and gain a firsthand perspective
• Genuine, memorable engagement with disability inclusion
• Meaningful CSR impact – funds go directly toward Paralympic athletes and programs

2026 Event Dates:

• Sydney – 11 September, Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park | Register HERE
• Melbourne – 9 October, MSAC | Register HERE
• Brisbane – 30 October, Nissan Arena  | Register HERE

Registrations:  $5,000 per team + $3,000 min fundraising (only $300 pp).  Limited team spots available – secure your place early.