More than 2000 businesses have already registered to be suppliers for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – but industry leaders warn the tender criteria needs to be released as soon as possible.
Demand for skilled workers is expected to rise in the construction, tourism, hospitality, events, sports and recreation industries, and business owners across the state are being urged to expand their horizons to take advantage of supply opportunities.
But they need to know the requirements sooner rather than later to prepare and take maximum advantage of the state hosting the biggest event in the world, according to Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland senior policy adviser Gus Mandigora.
“Queensland as a whole could cash in on some of this exposure, through tourism, hospitality and events, but also in other sectors such as sports and recreation and professional services,” he said.
“This type of publicity will put Queensland in the spotlight and set us up for a potential post-Covid visitor and business boom.”
The Games’ Value Proposition forecast of 91,600 jobs and $4.6 billion in tourism and trade directly from the Games is tipped to be dwarfed by the potential for flow-on impacts in the lead-up and legacy.
According to the Inspired By 2012 report on the legacy of the London 2012 Games, their events generated an estimated economic impact of £28 billion to and 618,000 to 893,000 years of employment, including 70,000 jobs for unemployed Londoners.
A spokesperson for the Department of Premier and Cabinet said 2222 supplier representatives had signed up for procurement updates in the two months since it opened.
“The Queensland Government will keep businesses informed on key opportunities to get involved in the Brisbane 2032 Games including a forward procurement plan that will be developed to highlight opportunities in the lead up to the Games,” they said.
Under the Buy Queensland policy for the Games itself, preference will be granted to local
businesses.
Contractors to the Games will have to meet organisers’ promises to be carbon positive and zero waste across their supply chains.
“We would be especially interested to see a plan to incentivise and fund sustainable business
practices,” Mr Mandigora said.
Committee for Brisbane chief executive officer Barton Green said local employment should be
among the Games’ organisers’ top priorities, and it was imperative local businesses were prepared to meet the sustainability requirements.
“If you’re a supplier it means your entire supply chain has to meet that [carbon and waste positive] standard so it’s a very big ask,” he said.
“However, it will mean that we will ultimately move to a business-as-usual model that is world-class in sustainability.”
Scott Whimpey is one of thousands of small businesspeople putting their hands up to have a go at business opportunities for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The chief executive officer of Gold Coast-based First Aid Accidents & Emergency organised the supply and service of defibrillators to the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which had transformed their company.
He now has four additional people who work solely in the defibrillator stream of his 12-person registered training organisation, a part of the business that was created thanks to the Games contract.
“We got partnerships with a whole lot of other groups because of the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
“It was definitely a positive outcome. We will be tendering for the Olympics for the defibrillators.”
Driving regional jobs and economic development – as well as sustainable practises – is one of the key drivers for Games organisers.
Chairman of The Star and Queensland Airports, sports and business veteran John O’Neill, said a buoyant local property market and net interstate migration were already fuelling jobs growth.
With the Games construction and increasing tourism ahead, demand for skilled workers would only rise.
“The opportunities have no bounds,” he said. “Queensland has so much going for it.”
He pointed to the challenge of skills shortages reducing growth, however, citing 1500 vacancies across their three operations at The Star.
Business and local leaders are all urging business owners to expand their horizons to other major events and connected opportunities in the lead up and legacy.
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said the Darling Downs city had “significant potential” as a pre-Games training destination before the Games.
“We have experience of this before the 2000 Sydney Olympics,” he said.
“We are fortunate to have a mix of high-quality sporting facilities, accessible accommodation
options and professional medical services which position Toowoomba well to capitalise on all opportunities.”
He said the region was also “ideally placed” to capitalise on food and beverage supply, as well as a secure entry point to Australia for international teams requiring biosecurity clearance, such as equestrian teams.
“The regional approach to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games will ensure all the southeast Queensland local authorities stand to benefit from pre-Games and potential competition events,” he said.
Australian Olympic Committee chief executive officer Matt Carroll said businesses outside the
southeast Queensland region should assess their strengths and opportunities to get involved in
“It’s not just the Games themselves,” he said.
“If you’ve got businesses in your area that are producing something new – it could be in tech, it could be in sporting services, this is where the opportunities are opening up.
“Small businesses can start now to get ready to tender for the Games.”
From beach bars on the Gold Coast to eco-resorts in Moreton Bay, some of Queensland’s most prized assets could be given amazing transformations in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics.
With the right planning and policies in place, Brisbane 2032 could even top the Sydney Games, writes Gina Rinehart. Here’s how.