September arrives tomorrow, bringing with it the start of spring, longer days and a renewed sense of momentum across Brisbane.

It is one of my favourite times of year in our city. Brisbane Festival kicks off this Friday and will once again transform our streets, stages and public spaces, showcasing the creativity, confidence and culture that make Brisbane uniquely Brisbane.

Celebrations such as Brisbane Festival and BIGSOUND, which also takes place this week, remind us that great cities are not built solely through infrastructure and investment. They are also shaped by the experiences that bring people together, strengthen civic pride and help define how a city is perceived by residents, visitors and the world.

Closely linked to our arts and creative sector, and always the subject of lively conversation, is Brisbane’s tourism and hospitality offering.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Committee for Brisbane will bring together an outstanding panel of speakers at the Queensland Tennis Centre for our latest Business of the Games discussion. Drawing expertise from major events, catering, hospitality, fine dining and academia, the conversation will explore what Brisbane needs to do now to prepare for the opportunities and challenges of feeding a global city during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

How we welcome visitors matters. The experience of athletes, officials, media, fans and tourists will be shaped not only by the venues they visit, but by the meals they enjoy, the places they gather and the people they meet. Food has a unique ability to bring cultures together, tell stories about a place and showcase the personality of a city. It is an important part of how Brisbane presents itself to the world and an opportunity to celebrate our outstanding producers, hospitality sector and fresh local cuisine.

Earlier this month, the Queensland Government released the Victoria Park Precinct Draft Legacy Plan, commencing what will be an important discussion about the future of one of Brisbane’s most significant city-shaping opportunities.

Victoria Park represents one of the most important pieces of public city-making Brisbane has seen in generations. Its future will influence how people experience our city, how visitors connect with key destinations, how major events are hosted, and how Brisbane continues to grow as a liveable, globally competitive city. Importantly, it is a project that extends well beyond Brisbane 2032. The decisions made today will shape outcomes for decades to come.

As an independent voice for the city, the Committee’s role is to bring together diverse perspectives, facilitate constructive discussion and contribute informed ideas to the public debate. Next Monday, we will bring together members for a workshop on the draft plan, helping to inform the Committee’s submission and ensuring the expertise of our membership contributes to shaping this important civic asset.

The strong interest in this conversation reflects the significance of the opportunity before us. If you have not yet registered, I encourage you to join us and be part of the discussion about the future of the precinct and its role in Brisbane’s long-term development.

The level of activity across our city this month reflects a Brisbane that is actively considering its future. A city growing in confidence. A city with the opportunity to think boldly about what it wants to become in 2032, 2050 and beyond.

At the Committee for Brisbane, we are proud to bring together the voices, ideas and expertise that help shape these conversations. We look forward to working with our members to ensure Brisbane continues to realise its enormous potential as one of the world’s great cities.

On Thursday 13 August, our Sub-Committees came together for our Mid-Year Review, providing an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made, assess our priorities, and align on the opportunities ahead.

Hosted by our Platinum Partner, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, the session highlighted several significant milestones achieved by each sub-committee during the current term, including:

• City Vision, where we’ve positioned ourselves as first movers and thought leaders in shaping the conversation around the Dawn Economy and its role in our city’s future growth.
• Games Legacy & Growth with the continued development of our Digital Advocacy Agenda, ensuring we maximise the long-term benefits and opportunities generated by major events.
• Transport Logistics and Mobility, advancing our 10 for $10 Million initiative to advocate for practical infrastructure investments that will deliver lasting value for our community.
• #BIG: Activating the 1% and driving meaningful community impact through collective action.

Each update highlighted not only the achievements delivered during the first half of the year but also the power of collaboration, thoughtful discussion, and shared accountability in driving meaningful outcomes.

Thank you to all committee members for your engagement and commitment, we look forward to building on this momentum as we head into the second half of the year.

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This month, Committee for Brisbane embarked on our annual delegation to Canberra as part of the broader network of Committees for Capital Cities.

Across three days, we held meetings with elected representatives and their advisors, departmental staff, commissioners and more. We also carved out time to connect as a network of city champions and discuss issues impacting shared areas of advocacy.

Our thanks to the Speaker of the House, Hon Milton Dick MP, who kindly hosted our Parliamentary Friends of Cities cocktail event (a partnership between Committee for Capital Cities and Council of Capital Cities Lord Mayors) in the Speaker’s Courtyard in Parliament House on Monday, 17 August.

With speeches from Parliamentary Friends of Cities co-chairs Senator Richard Dowling and Simon Kennedy MP, the event provided an opportunity for leaders from the nation’s capital cities to come together with elected representatives to discuss the important role cities play across the nation’s liveability, productivity and resilience agendas.

Further information on the Committee for Cities’ advocacy can be found here.

The Committee for Brisbane recently brought together our Platinum Partners for a Boardroom Lunch with the Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for Education and the Arts, for update on the future of Brisbane’s arts, culture and creative sectors.

The conversation explored the opportunities and challenges facing the sector as Queensland prepares for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the role of the Cultural Olympiad in shaping the city’s cultural legacy and global profile.

Education also featured strongly throughout the discussion on strengthening and diversifying the region’s economy, particularly given the city is home to so many world-class educational institutions.

We thank Minister Langbroek for sharing his insights and engaging openly with attendees on these important issues.

A special thanks also to Fahim Khondaker and the team at BDO for their generous hospitality and for hosting the event in their Brisbane office.

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Over the past year, the Committee for Brisbane was honoured to take part as a host board through The Observership Program, which provides emerging leaders with the opportunity to gain practical experience in board governance, strategic thinking and decision-making, while contributing new ideas and insights to an organisation.

A big thank you to Briony (Bee) Beaumont, from the University of Queensland, who was our Observer throughout the year. During her time with us, Bee brought new ideas, valuable insights and a thoughtful perspective to the boardroom, while developing her understanding and experience of governance and strategic decision-making.

We’re grateful for Bee’s contribution, enthusiasm and commitment, and for the valuable perspective she brought to our work.

The Observership Program is looking for host boards to participate in the program in 2027. This is a great opportunity for organisations to support emerging leaders while benefiting from diverse ideas and perspectives.

If your organisation is interested in hosting an Observer, you can register your interest for the 2027 Observership Program, commencing in February, via the link.

On 30 October, TransitCare will host the inaugural Transport Equity Summit at BCEC.

Committee for Brisbane members are invited to bring their expertise and help solve one of Brisbane’s biggest challenges for 2032 and beyond – making our transport system accessible and inclusive for everyone.

The Transport Equity Summit provides an opportunity to collaborate with leaders, researchers and experts in transport, design, infrastructure, technology, planning, accessibility and community services.

Delegates will tackle real accessibility barriers in interactive Journey Design Labs, develop practical solutions and contribute directly to the Transport Equity Framework for 2032.

Register now and help make every journey possible for every person.

On 26 August, the Committee for Brisbane welcomed leaders from local-government, industry and technology for a timely discussion on the role of digital leadership in shaping the future of the Brisbane city-region.

Held in conjunction with the launch of Committee for Brisbane’s Digital Advocacy Agenda, the discussion focused on a common challenge: how do we move beyond digital strategies and aspirations to deliver tangible solutions that improve the way people live, work and connect?

Hosted by Strategic Partner PwC Australia, the seminar brought together keynote speaker Neil Glentworth, Managing Partner at DunneMedforth, alongside panellists Mayor Teresa Harding (Ipswich City Council), Chelsea Rossney, Chief Commercial Officer at Honeywell Pacific, and Mike Younger, Partner (Cybersecurity and Privacy) at PwC, to explore how our city-region can translate digital ambition into meaningful outcomes.

Moderated by Adam Beck of Neon.Urban, the conversation explored the role of digital leadership, data-driven decision-making, cybersecurity, service inclusion and emerging technologies in shaping the future of the Brisbane city-region. A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the need to shift the focus away from technology for technology’s sake and towards practical, outcomes-driven solutions that deliver measurable benefits for communities, businesses and the region.

As Brisbane continues its journey towards the 2032 Games and beyond, the discussion reinforced the opportunity to establish a digital legacy that not only supports growth, but also improves liveability, productivity and economic prosperity for all.

Thank you to PwC Australia for hosting the event, Honeywell for its support, and to our speakers and attendees for contributing to an important discussion on Brisbane’s digital future.

A copy of the Committee for Brisbane’s Digital Advocacy Agenda can be viewed here: Digital Advocacy – Committee for Brisbane

Link to Event Gallery: Digital Leadership and the Brisbane City-Region Seminar – Committee for Brisbane

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Bringing together more than twelve months of discussions, previous policy papers and the deliberations of our Games Legacy and Growth sub-committee, the Committee for Brisbane last week released its 2026 Digital Advocacy Plan.

Based on the acceleration of AI and unprecedented population and economic growth for the region, Brisbane is within a unique window of opportunity to catalyse change and harness the potential of rapid physical and digital change.

The Digital Advocacy Plan encourages public and private sector leaders to work together across the digital fields of Leadership; Data & Insights; Services; Infrastructure; Planning; and Inclusion, towards creating a world-class digital city-region.

The Committee extends its thanks to the sub-committee members and Strategic Partner, PwC, for bringing the Plan to life.

You can view the Digital Advocacy Plan here.

The Committee for Brisbane will be bringing together over 100 of its members to participate in a workshop to help inform the Committees submission on the Victoria Park Precinct Draft Legacy Plan.

Located less than two kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD and spanning more than 64 hectares, Victoria Park represents the city’s most significant urban transformation opportunity since the creation of South Bank, post Expo 88.

Beyond the Park itself- and given its critical location at the north-east of the city- its reimagining has the potential to be the catalyst in unlocking a wave of new growth and investment for the city.

The Queensland Government’s recently-released Victoria Park Precinct Draft Legacy Plan foreshadows a major redevelopment of the parkland, including through the addition of the new Brisbane Stadium. It also considers the broader precinct, including the Brisbane Showgrounds, National Aquatic Centre and surrounding destinations, with a focus on connectivity, public spaces, transport integration and investment in community and sporting infrastructure.

As Brisbane continues to grow, this precinct could have a major influence on the city’s liveability, accessibility and growth corridors.

Members are invited to participate in the workshop on the 7 September to discuss the opportunities, challenges and priorities that should be considered in planning the precinct’s future.

Register here to have your say.

Queensland’s 15-year Science and Innovation Strategy has been unveiled, focusing on improving connections and strengthening pathways to investment and commercialisation.

Earlier this year, the Committee for Brisbane lodged a submission on the draft strategy, highlighting the important role our city’s innovation precincts play in creating co-located opportunities for different elements of the city’s knowledge economy to come together, and shift opportunities from research through to translation.

A renewed focus on the role of Government in supporting innovation precincts and delivering infrastructure is considered vital as the city seeks to leverage the 2032 Games, create a skilled workforce and diversify its future economy.

You can view the Government’s final strategy here.

On 29 May, EDQ declared the Land Activation Program (SEQ Tranche 1) Provisional Priority Development Area (PPDA) in Banyo, Meadowbrook, South Brisbane and Spring Hill.

Following public consultation, the Provisional Land Use Plan for these sites came into effect on Monday, 24 August.

The Committee for Brisbane provided a submission during public consultation reinforcing the importance of public and active transport connections, ‘green grid’ opportunities, digital infrastructure uplift, and the value of river activation.

The PPDA is a temporary planning solution, designed to fast track planning and accelerate delivery. The PLUP is the key planning document providing planning controls to guide development within the PPDA.

The Queensland Government Minister’s Award for Urban Design was celebrated this month, with the spectacular Glasshouse Theatre and the teams from Blight Rayner Architecture in partnership with SnØhetta taking out the top gong.

Co-commendations were awarded to the City of Gold Coast’s Private Development Landscape Guideline and Gold Coast Heat Resilient Design Guideline, along with further commendations for Archerfield Wetlands Parkland, James Cook University Engineering and Innovation Place and The Cairns City Precincts Urban Regeneration Project.

The 2026 Malcolm Middleton Award for Housing Innovation went to Inala Infill Apartments, and the 2026 Movement and Place Award was shared by three commendations for Armstrong Place East, Brisbane Metro and Neville Bonner Bridge.

Congratulations to all winners, commendations and finalists. A full list of winners can be found on the Government’s website here.   

Exciting news for Queensland this month with the release of the draft Legacy Plan for the Victoria Park Precinct. Pitched as a ‘State-shaping project’, Victoria Park will be the centrepiece of the Government’s 2032 Delivery Plan.

Bringing together Victoria Park, the proposed Brisbane Stadium, National Aquatic Centre and Brisbane Showgrounds, the revitalised precinct has the potential to reshape the growth trajectory of the city, inspire new investment and improve major city connections.

The Plan was drafted by Committee for Brisbane member Arup, on behalf of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.

Since early 2021, the Committee for Brisbane has consistently focused on the legacy opportunities the Games present- particularly the role the Games play in focusing and bringing forward much-needed infrastructure investment.

Our submission to the 100-day review reinforced the need for a precinct-based approach to major venue delivery, and the potential catalytic role such investment can play in supporting economic development and improving liveability.

On Monday, 7 September, the Committee for Brisbane will hold a member-only consultation session, providing an opportunity for all members to put forward their feedback on the draft Plan. Members should have received an invite to this session, and can reach out to the team if they have any questions.

All input will be considered by the Committee for Brisbane as part of its submission, with the Government’s formal consultation period closing on 27 September.

More information on the Draft Legacy Plan is available here.

Another Ekka has come and gone, leaving behind plenty of great memories and once again reminding us why the Royal Queensland Show holds such a special place in Brisbane’s calendar.

This year marked 150 years of the Ekka bringing together Brisbane, regional Queensland and visitors from further afield to celebrate agriculture, community and local achievement. Almost half a million people came together across the 10 days of the Show to enjoy the rides, entertainment, food and displays while connecting with the people and industries that help shape our state.

For Committee for Brisbane, the Ekka represents much of what we value about our city: connection, collaboration and a strong relationship between Brisbane and regional Queensland.

After closing the gates on 16 August, the $287.5m redevelopment of the RNA Showgrounds has now commenced. Major upgrades are being undertaken to deliver a 20,000 seat Main Arena, grandstands, horse pavilion and accessibility upgrades.

Importantly, despite the major construction activity, the Ekka will continue to be held every year- except for 2032, as the timing falls in the window of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Committee for Brisbane congratulates the RNA on 150 wonderful years!

Photo Credit

The passion, pride and drama of Davis Cup tennis will return to Brisbane this September, with the iconic international men’s team competition set to electrify the city for the first time in almost a decade.

The Culture Amp Australian Davis Cup team, led by captain and Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt, will take on Poland at Pat Rafter Arena from Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 September.

Tennis Queensland Chief Executive Officer Cameron Pearson said early ticket demand had been incredibly strong.

“We encourage fans to secure their tickets now, come dressed in green and gold, and experience the excitement of international team competition right here at Pat Rafter Arena,” he said.

“There’s something special about watching Australia compete on home soil and we can’t wait to see Queenslanders get behind the Aussie team.

“The passion, the team spirit and the energy from the crowd make the Davis Cup a truly unique experience, and we’re looking forward to creating another memorable occasion for fans of all ages.”

The tie will be played on hard court, with two singles matches on Saturday, followed by doubles and reverse singles on Sunday. Play will begin at 1pm each day.

For more information about the Davis Cup and tickets visit here.  

bureau^proberts has recently appointed Nathan Lane as Managing Partner, a significant leadership appointment for both our practice and the region. Nathan is an architect with extensive experience delivering complex projects across Brisbane and has built a reputation for design leadership, collaboration and advocacy within the profession. Nathan is also a proud Kombumerri descendant and is passionate about promoting excellence and equality within the architecture profession.

Nathan’s leadership on award winning projects and across the wider business has been a key contributor to the growth and success of bureau^proberts over the past decade, supporting the practice in providing outstanding service and value while delivering excellent design outcomes.

bureau^proberts said the leadership appointment comes at an important time for Southeast Queensland, as Brisbane and the broader region continue to evolve in the lead-up to 2032 and beyond. In his new role, Nathan will be responsible for translating the practice’s vision into sustainable business performance, ongoing design excellence and strong client outcomes, while supporting the continued growth of the firm’s national and international portfolio.

Queensland businesses are invited to register their interest for Investment Ready Queensland, a free capability-building program delivered by Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) in partnership with BDO.

Through three practical sessions, participants will gain insights into:

• Investment fundamentals and capital strategy
• The investment process and deal execution
• Developing a compelling investment narrative

The program is designed for businesses preparing for growth, exploring future investment opportunities, considering external funding, or looking to strengthen their understanding of investor expectations. No previous investment experience is required.

Register your expression of interest here.

Expressions of interest are free and will help shape future program delivery across Queensland.