The Queensland Government’s response to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Review finally provides some much-needed certainty. The real work begins now and we’re well and truly up against the clock!
Queensland had years to prepare for the 2032 Games but much of that time has been wasted. We can’t afford to lose any more momentum to slow-moving business cases and lengthy procurement processes designed to give the illusion of value for money but delivering anything but. If we want a successful Games, where projects are delivered on time and on budget, we need a smarter game plan—one that frames construction as an Olympic team sport not a version of Greco Roman wrestling.
Focus on outcomes, not prescriptive solutions.
The best results come when government, industry and unions work as true partners. Instead of prescribing rigid solutions, the government should set clear objectives and the construction industry should be given the freedom to decide the best way to achieve them.
Right now, too many projects are bogged down by inefficient procurement practices. Decision-making focuses on selecting the lowest bid rather than encouraging competition around innovation, efficiency and sustainability. Contracts are too often transactional, locking in price before builders even have a full understanding of project risks. The result? Delays, cost overruns and contractors struggling to stay afloat.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Construction delivers when given the right conditions.
The construction industry is often in the headlines for cost and time blowouts. But what’s rarely reported are the many projects delivered on time and under budget.
Take the Fitzroy River Bridge in Western Australia. After flooding washed away the original bridge, a completely new $250 million structure was designed, procured and delivered in under a year.
Closer to home, Queensland’s LNG boom from 2010 – 2017 saw a surge in construction productivity. Knowing they would struggle to source enough skilled workers locally, major gas companies focused on making the entire construction process more efficient.
The Olympics will be no different. The games infrastructure will be built alongside record high infrastructure investment across Queensland, interstate and globally. We will not be able to fly in enough additional workers even if we wanted to.
We have no choice but to change the rules of the game and go for construction gold.
Going for gold in the way we build.
Delivering “world-class venues” for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is not just a lofty goal—it’s entirely achievable. But to make this happen, we need to rethink how we approach major projects in Australia.
This isn’t about just qualifying for the finals—it’s about going for gold. To do that, we need to transform the industry, not just make incremental changes. There are clear steps we can take to make a real difference, like eliminating inefficient and costly tender processes that don’t add value. Procurement should focus on capability, innovation, and efficiency—not just the lowest price. We also need to engage contractors earlier in the process to secure accurate pricing and better outcomes.
And importantly, we need to rebalance risk. Contractors should not be burdened with unmanageable liabilities that drive insolvencies and undermine project success.
If we get this right, the benefits will extend far beyond the Games. We’ll be building not just stadiums but a stronger, more resilient construction industry—one that delivers the infrastructure Australia needs to maintain our living standards without unnecessary cost, delays and business failures.
The industry is ready. Is government?
The construction industry has the skills, expertise and problem-solving mindset to deliver. But we can’t do it alone. Success depends on genuine collaboration and a willingness to do things differently.
If we get this right, we won’t just be building venues for a few weeks of competition—we’ll be laying the foundation for a more productive, sustainable and efficient construction industry for years to come.
It’s time to trust construction to do what it does best—solve problems and build the future.
Can we build it? Yes we can – but we need to play smart.
Opinion piece by Jon Davies, CEO, Australian Constructors Association
(Originally published in the Courier Mail, 28 March 2025, p.25)