January 2025 newsletter
January 2025 newsletter
A message from our President
We’re excited to kick off 2025 with renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose! Thanks to the outstanding engagement of our members, we’re making meaningful progress in advancing the four key pillars of our strategy: City Vision, Games Legacy and Growth, Transport, Logistics and Mobility, and BIG (Brisbane Ideas Generator). Your involvement is vital as we work together to create a brighter future for Brisbane.
As we look ahead, we’re eagerly awaiting the outcomes of the 100-day review and the upcoming federal election. These milestones will be crucial in shaping the future of our region and accelerating key growth and infrastructure initiatives. We’re confident that these opportunities will bring us closer to the shared vision we all have for Brisbane’s prosperous future.
We’re looking forward to what this year holds and want to extend our deepest thanks to our members and the Brisbane community for their unwavering support. Your commitment is the strength that drives our community forward. Let’s continue to work together to create positive change and make 2025 a year of exceptional progress!
Committee for Brisbane's commitment to You
Exciting Times Ahead for the Committee for Brisbane in 2025.
As we step into 2025, we are thrilled about the opportunities and growth that lie ahead for our members and our city-region.
In late 2024, we released our “Strategy on a Page,” which will serve as our guiding focus for the next three years. This strategy is the result of extensive discussions with our members and the broader community, focusing on what matters most for Brisbane’s evolution and growth.
Our strategy includes the launch of four new Sub-Committees, each dedicated to a specific area of focus:
- City Vision
- Games Legacy & Growth
- Transport, Logistics, and Mobility
- Brisbane Idea Generators (#BIG)
While each Sub-Committee will concentrate on distinct areas, they all share a common goal: contributing to Brisbane’s growth and prosperity.
As the voice of Brisbane, we are committed to advocating, leading, challenging, championing, collaborating, amplifying, and celebrating initiatives that will create a better and more liveable Greater Brisbane.
We will continue to provide thought leadership to drive positive change and actionable outcomes for Brisbane. We look forward to bringing you on the journey with us.
Shaping the Health Industry
Welcome back to another year of innovation in Brisbane! To kick off the year, you are invited to join some of the brightest minds in the region as we delve into the ground-breaking research, medical advancements and innovations happening in the healthcare sector, right here in Brisbane.
The Committee for Brisbane’s Innovation Mixer event series provides an exciting networking opportunity that will bring you closer to the people, ideas and innovations that are driving our global competitiveness.
This Innovation Mixer will showcase the pivotal role our city plays in shaping the future of health and medicine, through transforming the biomedical sector and cementing Brisbane’s position as a hub for cutting-edge healthcare solutions.
The panel will be facilitated by Anne Kovachevich, Sustainable Buildings and Precincts Lead at Mott MacDonald. Our panelists include:
Miriam Kent, CEO, Gallipoli Medical Research
Michael Junger, Director – Industry and Government Relations, Vaxxas
Christoph Meinert, CEO, Gelomics
Event Details
When: Tuesday, 18th February
Where: Mott MacDonald, Level 14, 175 Eagle Street
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Tickets: $40pp ex gst
Register your spot to attend this event here – be quick as tickets are limited!
We look forward to seeing you there.
100 Day Review – Committee for Brisbane Submission
In consultation with the Management Committee and members, the Committee for Brisbane provided the Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority with a submission for the 100 Day Review of Games infrastructure and planning.
The submission focused on key areas our members identified as essential for positive long-term outcomes for the region. With the population projected to reach 6 million by 2046, investment in infrastructure and essential services needs to be strategic and well-planned to meet the region’s current and future needs.
Regarding venue selection, the submission urged the Board to consider generational legacy, transport infrastructure and connectivity, proximity to the city centre, and the creation of unique precincts, walkable communities, and diverse recreational and hospitality offerings.
Transport and connectivity remain pressing issues for enhancing the city’s liveability. While investigating faster, alternative methods of upgrading the transport network to meet the Games’ needs is supported, there must still be a pathway to deliver the permanent infrastructure the region will need beyond the Games.
Digital connectivity also needs to be at the forefront of infrastructure investment. Focusing on data and investing in future digital infrastructure will ensure our aspirations for creating an innovation economy are advanced.
To achieve the generational legacy outcomes the Games present, the Committee for Brisbane supports investigating alternative finance and funding methods for infrastructure delivery. Whether through direct private sector investment, public-private partnerships, land swaps, taxation arrangements, or other means, many opportunities exist to reduce the state’s risk and financial exposure. Many successful examples, both locally and internationally, can be drawn from.
The call for submissions closed on Friday, 10 December 2024, with the outcomes from the 100 Day Review to be finalised by 8 March 2025.
Brisbane Metro Begins
The much-anticipated Brisbane Metro bus rapid transit service officially began on Tuesday on the M2 route (formerly route 66), and the Committee for Brisbane is excited for how this will strengthen the city’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem.
The first route will run from UQ Lakes to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Connecting significant precincts and facilities including Boggo Road, PA Hospital, Mater and QUT, this service will improve the reliability and capacity of public transport servicing the city’s ‘knowledge corridor’.
The proposed future stages of the Brisbane Metro were announced by the Lord Mayor at a Committee for Brisbane event in August, where he launched the City of Brisbane’s plan, The race to gold- Brisbane’s Games transport legacy.
With a growing population and need for greater utilisation of public transport, the Brisbane Metro is a vital piece of infrastructure that will support our city-region well into the future.
20 Year Tourism Plan for Queensland
The Queensland Government has released the ‘Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future’ discussion paper seeking feedback to inform Queensland’s 20-year tourism plan.
The discussion paper focuses on the following key areas:
- Ecotourism – Promotion of sustainable tourism practices
- 2032 Games legacy- Leveraging the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to boost tourism
- Investment Attraction – Encouraging new investments in the tourism sector
- Tourism Experiences Development – Enhancing the quality and diversity of tourism experiences
- Events Delivery – Using events to drive tourism and economic growth
- Access and Connectivity – Improving transportation and connectivity to, and within, Queensland.
More information on the consultation process is available at Destination 2045: Queensland’s Tourism Future consultation | Tourism | Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Queensland
The consultation period closes on Friday 28 February 2025.
Exciting News for Queensland’s Nightlife: New Expert Advisory Panel Appointed
The Committee for Brisbane was thrilled to hear the announcement of the newly formed advisory panel focused on Queensland’s vibrant nightlife economy. Chaired by Queensland’s Nightlife Economy Commissioner, Mr. John “JC” Collins AM, this panel is set to play a crucial role in enhancing the state’s late-night economy.
The panel includes Aunty Bridget Garay from our First Nations Advisory Group as well as live music venue operators, event promoters, hotel and club representatives, performers, academics, charities and Safe Night Precinct workers from across our state.
Key areas of focus for the panel will include improving economic and business operating conditions, regulatory settings, workforce development, transport, and safety. With the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, this initiative is an important step in ensuring that Queensland’s nightlife is world-class, providing locals and visitors with memorable experiences while supporting thousands of businesses across the state.
We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas and recommendations that emerge from this expert panel and see the positive changes this advisory panel will bring Brisbane and Queensland as a whole.
Night-Life Economy Panel:
- Lindsay Carroll, Acting CEO, National Retail Association
- Jackie Cross, Director, Cross Promotions and Director, Experience Gold Coast
- Charlie Cush, CEO, Brisbane Festival
- Kelly Egan, CEO, Clubs QLD
- Aunty Bridget Garay, Art and Cultural Consultant
- Bernie Hogan, CEO, QLD Hotels Association
- Naomi Price, Co-Founder, The Little Red Company
- Jacinta Reddan, CEO, Advance Cairns
- Tim Richardson, CEO, The Ville Townsville
- Kris Stewart, CEO, QMusic
- Dr Dominique De Andrade, Griffith University, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Peter McHoney, CEO, Chaplain Watch
- Sharynne Wilson, Co-owner, Moffat Beach Brewing
- Max McBride, President, Taxi Council Queensland
- Andrew Baturo, Head of Hospitality, Dap & Co
Stadiums Queensland Board Announcements
On 17 January 2025, the Queensland Government announced five new appointments to the Stadiums Queensland Board, with current Board Member John Warn, taking on the role as Chairperson.
The Stadiums Queensland board helps manage, develop, operate and promote the use of the state’s major sport, entertainment and recreational facilities.
New appointees to the Board include, Stephen Moore AM, Michael Dobbie-Bridges PLY, Debra Rains, Mary-Ann Strelow and Clare Stewart.
The new appointees bring diverse expertise including a former Paralympian, a former Wallabies Captain, a former Mayor who was also on the board of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Spotlight on PWC
PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey – Australian insights, highlights how global megatrends like technology, including GenAI, and climate change are driving reinvention for CEOs across the globe.
For companies embracing reinvention, the benefits are profound: 42% of local CEOs note efficiency gains from GenAI, with climate-friendly investments reported six times more likely to boost revenue of global CEOs.
Optimism prevails among local business leaders, with plans to increase headcount and pursue acquisitions. However, complacency is a risk, as 74% of local CEOs believe their firms will survive the next decade without change, compared to 55% globally. The challenge for Australia’s CEOs? Acting now to ensure future success. Read more from the report summary here.
Invitation to Aroona Field Day 20 February 2025
Committee for Brisbane members are invited to see the work that Affiliate Member, Queensland Trust for Nature, is doing at the Aroona property.
Working towards balancing beef and biodiversity, the day will include site tours and discussions on managing offsets, delivering Green Star projects, TNFD reporting and integrating conversation mapping into farm practices.
Details:
Thursday, 20 February
8:30am-4:30pm
388 Alpers Road Mount Mort
For more information and to RSVP, contact Sarah Delahunty at QTFN GMII@qtfn.org.au by Thursday, 6 February.
Farwell Gabrielle Bowkett
We would like to take this time to farewell Communications and Events Manager, Gabrielle Bowkett, who will be finishing up with the Committee for Brisbane on Friday, 31st January.
For the past two and a half years, Gabrielle has been an invaluable member of our team, bringing creativity, dedication, and commitment in everything she has done.
From overseeing high-profile events to strengthening our engagement and communications, Gab has played a pivotal role in shaping the success and visibility of the Committee for Brisbane.
While we are sad to see her go, we support her decision to take time to focus on her family as they embark on an exciting new chapter of school milestones and personal endeavours.
Please join us in thanking Gab for her dedication and wishing her all the best for this next phase.
New Members
It’s been a busy month for the Committee, welcoming 26 new members!
Corporate Members
- Gallipoli Medical Research
- Brisbane Festival
- Rider Levett Bucknall
- QShelter
- Australian Property Institute
- Knight Frank
Affiliate Members
- Greater Brisbane Urbanists
Associate Members
- Alice Currie
- Sonia Matthews
- Sheree Hughes
- Andrew Pheely
- Joshua Binkley
- Travis Jordan
- Caley Pearce
- Sheila Kushe
- Lisa Nixon
- Amelia Hodge
- Julie Monaghan
- Vanessa Taylor
- Keaton Jenner
- Ingrid Proud
- Louise Baldwin
- Matt Whiteoak
- Pamela Caspani
- Jacob Anson
- Michael Coombes
Newsletter Archive
