Private Sector Proposes $6-Billion Northshore Hamilton Olympic Precinct

A consortium of global architects and planners has proposed a $6-billion Olympic precinct in Northshore Hamilton, aiming to address the ongoing planning issues for the 2032 Games without adding any extra burden on taxpayers.



The Brisbane Design Alliance, a team of world-renowned architects, engineers, and planners, has developed a comprehensive proposal to transform Northshore Hamilton into a vibrant Olympic precinct. The Alliance includes several prominent firms, including HKS Architects, one of the key members.

HKS Architects, an international architecture firm led by Andrew Colling, is known for designing major stadiums like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys. They bring their expertise in large-scale sports venue design to the project, working alongside other firms in the Alliance such as Buchan (an Australian-based architectural firm), NRA Collaborative, Aurecon (an engineering and infrastructure advisory company), and Nikken Sekkei (a Japanese architecture firm known for its innovative designs).

An Ambitious Plan for Brisbane’s Future

The proposed development would feature a 60,000-seat waterfront stadium as the centrepiece of the precinct. 

Brisbane Design Alliance Northshore Hamilton
Photo Credit: HSK Architects

In addition to the stadium, the plan includes a hotel overlooking the venue, a 2500-apartment athletes’ village, pedestrian walkways along the river, an aquatic and wave pool centre, and a retail and restaurant hub.

The proposed Northshore precinct is designed for the Olympics and as a long-term solution to Brisbane’s urban growth. It aims to provide an unmatched mixed-use development in Queensland.

According to the Brisbane Design Alliance, the Northshore scheme is tailored to address the city’s projected population growth over the next 25 years. The project includes plans for an additional 12,000 residential dwellings around the precinct after the Games, providing a lasting legacy for the community. The consortium believes the precinct could be privately funded, similar to Perth’s Optus Stadium, built without direct government funding.

Transport and Infrastructure Challenges

A significant aspect of the Northshore proposal is the need for substantial transport infrastructure upgrades. The consortium has identified this as a critical issue that must be addressed to ensure the precinct’s success. 

The proposed site, which spans 150 hectares between Bretts Wharf on Kingsford Smith Drive and the Royal Queensland Golf Club, requires improvements to the existing transport network, including train, bus, tram, and ferry services.

HSK Architects Northshore Hamilton
Photo Credit: HSK Architects

The proposal also includes the construction of public parkland and gardens to serve the expected 22,000 residents who will live in the area post-2032. A green pedestrian drawbridge over the Brisbane River, linking the precinct to Bulimba, is part of the project. If there is enough interest and support, this bridge could be pursued as a standalone project before the Games.

The Brisbane Design Alliance sees the Northshore precinct as an opportunity to create a world-class venue that reflects Brisbane’s identity and future growth. The team believes this project could provide a unique Brisbane 2032 Olympics experience while addressing the city’s long-term needs. 

Commitment to QSAC Upgrade

Despite the innovative private sector proposal, the state remains committed to its plans for the 2032 Olympics. The state has already initiated a $1.6 billion upgrade to the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) at Mount Gravatt, with tenders for early planning and design work issued last week. 

Minister Di Farmer, speaking on behalf of the state government, reiterated the government’s preference for publicly owned Olympic venues. She emphasised that the government’s vision for the Games is clear, including significant investment in social and affordable housing within the Northshore precinct. 

The state promised to build 3,000 homes in the area, and recent contracts worth $87 million were awarded for road and civil works. However, the minister did not provide specific details about whether QSAC would be used for the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies.

However, the Brisbane Design Alliance remains hopeful that the state will reconsider its position, especially given the transport challenges currently plaguing the Northshore area.



The consortium is confident that with the necessary support from the state government, construction on the Northshore precinct could begin by early 2026, ensuring that the project is completed in time for the Olympics. They also proposed that the state provide the land required for the project, which is currently partly owned by the state, while the private sector handles the bulk of the funding and construction.

Updated 16-Oct-2024

Northshore Hamilton Set to Transform with Futuristic 2032 Olympics Transport Plans

Did you know that the Brisbane 2032 Olympics will potentially feature revolutionary transport and mobility technology such as air taxis, drones, autonomous shuttles, and personal mobility pods at Northshore Hamilton?



The partnership marks an Australian-first in transport innovation, where Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) will work with Toyota and MIT to harness advanced transport technologies. 

This collaboration aims to dramatically reshape Brisbane’s transport landscape by the 2032 Olympics, introducing modes of transport reminiscent of the futuristic 1960s cartoon “The Jetsons.”

Northshore Hamilton, the designated home for the 2032 Olympics athletes’ village, could see significant developmental changes due to this initiative. The project not only promises to enhance the Olympic experience but also foresees a long-term transformation in urban mobility across Brisbane, reducing car dependency and congestion.

Technological Advancements and Urban Planning

The 18-month design project spearheaded by EDQ will look into next-generation mobility solutions. Debbie McNamara, CEO of EDQ, highlighted the importance of leveraging Toyota and MIT’s expertise in autonomous technologies and innovative urban planning to forge new frontiers in accessibility and connectivity. 

MIT’s transport expert, Professor Alan Berger, emphasized the necessity for urban planners to integrate these new mobility technologies to maximize social and environmental benefits.

“It is vital for urban planners and urban designers to start thinking about the integration of future mobility technologies to maximize, the environmental and social benefits they can bring,” said Mr Berger.

“This project will use parametric modelling tools to design and test urban configurations that support innovative forms of active mobility and universal access, reducing reliance on private cars and integrating with, active mobility options such as walking and micromobility, and traditional public transit models, which are also expected to evolve in the future.


“We are very excited to be working with EDQ and Toyota Mobility Foundation to envision future sustainable and resilient design scenarios for Northshore Brisbane.”

A Broader Spectrum of Innovations

The initiative will also explore infrastructure improvements to support these new technologies, such as alternatives to traditional parking and loading zones, and the creation of micro-mobility hubs, parcel delivery, vehicle charging, and storage solutions. 

Advanced mobility technologies such as AI-driven self-driving cars and buses, electric drones, air taxis for urban commuting, and flexible ride-sharing and bike-sharing platforms are all on the research agenda. Additionally, the project will look at enhancing smart transit hubs, intelligent traffic management systems, electric personal mobility pods, and even advanced wheelchairs.

Technology CategoryDescription
Autonomous VehiclesSelf-driving cars and buses that use AI and sensors to navigate without human input, providing safe and efficient transportation.
Electric Scooters and BikesCompact, eco-friendly personal transportation devices that can be rented on-demand for short trips, enhancing last-mile connectivity.
Urban Air Mobility (UAM)Electric drones and air taxis designed for short urban flights, reducing congestion on the ground and offering quick travel options.
Shared Mobility ServicesPlatforms for ride-sharing, car-sharing, and bike-sharing that provide flexible, on-demand access to various modes of transport without the need for ownership.
Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)Integrated digital platforms that combine different transport services (public transit, ride-sharing, bike-sharing) into a single, accessible service, enabling seamless travel across multiple modes.
Smart Transit HubsInnovative transportation nodes that integrate various mobility services, including public transport, shared vehicles, and personal devices, designed for easy and efficient access.
Connected and Smart InfrastructureIntelligent traffic management systems and smart city technologies that optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and support autonomous and electric vehicles.
Personal Mobility PodsSmall, electric, and autonomous vehicles designed for individual or small group transport, offering a comfortable and efficient alternative to traditional cars.
On-Demand Autonomous ShuttlesDriverless, electric shuttles that operate on-demand, providing flexible and sustainable public transportation options within urban areas.
Electric Cargo DronesAutonomous drones designed for freight transport, enabling quick and sustainable delivery of goods within urban environments.



This ambitious project not only sets the stage for a futuristic Olympics but could also herald a new era of urban mobility in Brisbane, potentially setting a benchmark for cities worldwide.

Published 8-Aug-2024

Hamilton Northshore Seen as Ideal Site For Olympics Athletes’ Village

Did you know that Northshore Hamilton has been identified as an ideal site for building the Athletes’ Village for the 2032 Olympics? While the international sports event is still a decade away, planning discussions have begun between Brisbane City Council and the International Olympics Committee (IOC). 

Documents released by IOC showed that Hamilton’s Northshore could be the site of a new 14,000-bed facility, which the athletes will call their temporary home in Brisbane.



For the next few years, Hamilton Northshore’s 50-hectare riverfront land will be boosted with heaps of commercial and residential developments to prepare the precinct once the international guests arrive.  

The athletes’ village could be turned into public housing after the Olympics. 

Photo Credit: Google Maps

However, the committee also said that other location options around Brisbane are still under evaluation and the details will be provided with due diligence. 

IOC said that they decided the host in advance because of “the uncertainty the world is facing right now” and they would like to seize the momentum presented by Brisbane and its many project developments.



IOC also said that about 80 to 90 percent of the “advanced Games concept” venues needed in the Olympics are already existing in Brisbane or will be completed by 2032. 

“The hard work is not over yet as we embark on an 11 year journey, working closely with all three levels of government, to deliver the transport infrastructure our growing region needs for many decades to come,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said.

Brisbane will be the third Australian location to host the Olympics after Sydney in 2000 and Melbourne in 1956.