The Queensland Government has released Time to Shine, which is the Government’s new 10-year strategy to deliver a thriving creative sector and State-wide arts scene.

The strategy has six key focus areas with an emphasis on the state’s creative economy and support to the arts, cultural and creative industries.

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games being a once-in-a-generation event, and a global platform for Queensland’s creativity and vibrancy, it’s clear cultural programming will be transformational for Greater Brisbane.

This includes major Brisbane cultural events, and the state’s leading arts festival, Brisbane Festival, while also activating communities with new and enhanced infrastructure and events that draw visitors and build our cultural reputation.

Key focus areas in the Strategy include:
•    Transformational arts and culture for Brisbane 2032 and beyond
•    Uniquely Queensland arts experiences
•    Maximise opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives
•    Future creative workforce for a creative economy
•    Arts for all Queenslanders
•    Sharing our stories and celebrating our storytellers

View the Strategy here.

At last week’s Member Briefing hosted by Deloitte, the Committee for Brisbane welcomed Julian Simmonds, Acting CEO of Economic Development Queensland (EDQ), who shared updates on the proposed revisions to the Woolloongabba and Northshore Hamilton Development Schemes.

As Brisbane prepares for significant growth and transformation, these areas represent critical opportunities to shape the city’s long-term economic, social, and environmental future.

Julian outlined key elements of the proposed scheme amendments, sparking a productive and insightful discussion with members. Priorities raised by attendees included:

• The need for streamlined and transparent planning processes
• Improved inner-city connectivity
• A strong focus on balanced liveability outcomes

The conversation highlighted the importance of ensuring these precincts not only support population and economic growth but also enhance quality of life and sustainability for future generations.

Public consultation is now open for both schemes:

• Northshore Hamilton: 7 August – 19 September 2025
• Woolloongabba: 7 August – 29 August 2025

The Committee for Brisbane thanks Mike Kissane, Cameron Chatwood and the team at Deloitte for hosting this briefing.

To find details on the consultation for the updated Woolloongabba PDA Development Scheme, which closes on 29 August 2025, click here.

To find details on the consultation for the updated Northshore Hamilton PDA Development Scheme, which closes on 19 September 2025, click here.

Griffith University and the Australian Olympic Committee have announced a new partnership, with the naming of Griffith University an “Australian Olympic Pathway University”.

This is in recognition of Griffith’s longstanding commitment to supporting elite athletes combining academic and sporting pursuits.

The collaboration strengthens Griffith’s existing leadership in sport diplomacy, research, education, and legacy impact, building on its existing work with national sporting bodies and international partners.

For more on the partnership please visit here.

Early continued progress is being made on construction planning for 2032, with the Queensland Government announcing a suite of market-led submissions from its recent Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and Registration of Interest (ROI) rounds.

Total responses include:

• 40 EOIs for Games Delivery Partner.
• 250 submissions for program-wide ROI for the delivery of the 17 new and upgraded 2032 venues.
• 20 EOIs received to deliver the integrated Master Plan for the Victoria Park precinct.

As also noted in this month’s newsletter, early works will soon commence to transform Brisbane Showgrounds, while a new Intergovernmental Agreement between the Queensland and Australian Government has been officially signed, which formalises the funding deal.

The Australian Government has allocated a capped contribution of $3.435 billion to the $7.1 billion Games Venue Infrastructure Program, which will see both Governments work together to deliver 17 new or upgraded venues delivered across Queensland.

The Queensland Government announced this month that the Brisbane Showgrounds will be transformed after this year’s Ekka.

Early works will commence from early September, which marks an important milestone in the delivery of legacy infrastructure for 2032 and beyond.

The Showgrounds will be the site of the Brisbane Athletes Village, which will be the Games’ largest, accommodating more than 10,000 athletes and officials during the Games and over 5,000 during the Paralympic Games.

An upgrade to the 20,000 seat Main Arena will also facilitate the growth of the precinct’s key entertainment and events capability, providing an important legacy for the Brisbane Ekka.

Importantly, the project could also include thousands of permanent post-Games dwellings.

This delivery update comes a month after procurement commenced for the neighbouring Victoria Park precinct.

For more information about Games venues, visit here.

Australia’s Build to Rent sector enters new era of growth and opportunity

Australia’s Build to Rent (BtR) sector has stepped into the spotlight, confirming its role as a core pillar of the country’s real estate landscape, according to the newly released BDO Build to Rent Report 2025. Once considered niche, BtR is now firmly institutionalised, attracting sustained interest from both overseas and local capital.

“The BtR sector in Brisbane is experiencing notable growth and transformation, driven by strong demand, government incentives and evolving market dynamics,” said Paul Tuckey, Partner, Project and Infrastructure Advisory – Real Estate at BDO.

“With Brisbane’s population growth and the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics, BtR is expected to become a core housing solution.”

Brisbane’s BtR pipeline has increased strongly due to aggressive acquisition strategies, with Queensland now accounting for 15 per cent of total BtR projects nationally.

Source: BDO Build to Rent report 2025

Other factors driving BtR’s performance and appeal in Brisbane include:

• Low vacancy rates: Brisbane’s rental vacancy rate is hovering around 0.8 per cent, indicating high demand
• Tenant preferences: BtR developments are popular for their modern amenities, flexible leasing, and community-focused living
• Sustainability and technology: Renters are increasingly prioritising energy efficiency and digital property management tools, which BtR developments are well-positioned to offer
• Local government initiatives: Such as the ‘infrastructure charges deferral’ where eligible BtR developments can defer infrastructure charges for up to five years, easing upfront costs.

“BtR offers a people-centric solution to Australia’s housing challenges. By focusing on what tenants truly value; flexibility, affordability, and amenity. We’re building more than properties; we’re building the future of Australian living,” said Luke Mackintosh, Partner, Project and Infrastructure Advisory – Real Estate at BDO.

“Clarity and collaboration across government, investors, and developers will unlock even greater potential.”

Download BDO’s Build to Rent report 2025 to explore what’s driving BtR’s growth nationally, and the six foundational priorities shaping the next phase of BtR’s evolution.

Last week, the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), in partnership with Deloitte, released the State of the City Report 2025—a major milestone for the city’s economic journey.

The report confirmed that Brisbane’s economy has officially surpassed $200 billion for the first time, cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing urban economies in both Australia and the Asia Pacific.

More than just numbers, the report provided deep insights into the sectors driving Brisbane’s transformation. From health and infrastructure to advanced manufacturing, logistics, knowledge industries, and the visitor economy—Brisbane’s growth story continues to gain global attention.

Key highlights from the report include:

• Brisbane’s economy grew by $28 billion since 2020 – a 16% increase
• 274,000 new jobs have been created since 2020 – a 22% rise
• A $100.6 billion infrastructure pipeline is reshaping and connecting the city
• The health economy, now valued at $22 billion, is the fastest growing in Australia

This report serves as a valuable tool for global partners and stakeholders, offering a snapshot of Brisbane’s strengths and future opportunities.

Access the full report here.

Brisbane and the Future of Work

On Monday 25 August, the Committee for Brisbane hosted a Lunch and Learn session in partnership with Knight Frank on the Future of Workplaces in Brisbane.

Knight Frank’s Partner and Global Head of Occupier Research, Lee Elliott presented insights from their (Y)OUR SPACE report which explored how global trends are reshaping the way we work — and what that means for Brisbane’s future.

Key takeaways included:

• The workplace is becoming a strategic tool for growth, not just a cost centre.
• “Do the basics brilliantly” – flexibility, purpose, and employee experience are now business-critical priorities.
• Brisbane is uniquely placed to lead in building future-ready, people-centred workplaces.

Thank you to our panel of experts Michelle Fitzgerald – Cbus Property, Kristan Conlon – McCullough Robertson and Prof. Karen Vella – QUT (Queensland University of Technology) for providing a local perspective.

As the city continues to grow and prepare for major milestones, including the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the next few years will be pivotal in shaping the workplaces that will support Brisbane’s people and economy.

The Committee for Brisbane thanks Justin Bond and the team at Knight Frank for their support and for hosting an insightful and timely discussion.

Download a copy of the (Y)OUR SPACE report here.

Link to report: Home – (Y)OURSPACE