Opinion: Games legacy starts with infrastructure certainty

As one of Australia’s fastest growing cities, the Gold Coast has seen population growth surpass the delivery of supporting infrastructure for years, making these investments critical to its future. Brisbane 2032 gives us a rare opportunity to accelerate projects the city already needs with a deadline we didn't have before.

A fixed event date ensures governments commit funding that might otherwise be deferred to future election cycles. It also accelerates partnerships between government and private enterprise that previously had little reason to commit.

But after five decades delivering major mixed-use developments across Australia, Walker believe the Games' greatest legacy won't only be the infrastructure itself, but the certainty that infrastructure creates.

Investment is rarely held back by a lack of ambition. More often, it's uncertainty. Businesses and residents want the confidence that transport will arrive, communities want to know there's a plan to support growth, and governments need assurance others will invest with them.

Infrastructure certainty is the key to these decisions. Businesses invest sooner; industry commits capital and communities become more willing to embrace growth. Delivery builds confidence, with that confidence attracting further investment.

We're already seeing that happen with the Crisafulli Government's recent $146 million commitment to enabling infrastructure across key growth areas. A plan for new roads, sewerage and essential services gives investors greater confidence about what comes next.

We've seen the power of that certainty at Maroochydore City Centre, where Federal and State Government investment in enabling infrastructure gave Walker the confidence to invest early, bringing forward number of projects.

Sydney 2000 is another example of how locking infrastructure commitments in early creating a positive ripple effect across generations. Motorway and rail links between the CBD and the airport were prioritised to meet the opening ceremony deadline, while contaminated industrial land at Homebush Bay is still being transformed a quarter of a century later, with a newly finalised masterplan targeting up to 15,000 new homes by 2050, timed deliberately around Sydney Metro West.

Together with Council and State Government, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring these legacy opportunities to the Gold Coast, and to watch the city grow around a long-term infrastructure delivery pipeline future generations can be proud of.

If Brisbane 2032 leaves the Gold Coast with better transport, more homes and improved infrastructure, it will be a success. But its greatest legacy will be the certainty that keeps governments investing, businesses committing and communities embracing growth long after the flame goes out at the Closing Ceremony.

This opinion piece is written by By Peter Saba, Walker Group Executive of Development for the Gold Coast Bulletin.