Brisbane 2032 “Games Laws”: What Infrastructure Projects Need to Know About Cultural Heritage Approvals in Queensland

Editor’s note: This article updates and expands on our January 2025 overview of the Brisbane 2032 Games laws, reflecting the increasing number of Games-related infrastructure projects now progressing through planning and delivery phases.

As planning and delivery accelerate for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland’s approvals landscape is evolving rapidly, particularly for projects involving cultural heritage.

Recent amendments to the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Act 2021 (BOPGA Act), introduced through the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, establish a Games-specific approvals pathway for certain Brisbane 2032 infrastructure projects.

For proponents, contractors, consultants and government agencies involved in Games delivery, understanding how these new “Games laws” interact with existing cultural heritage obligations is becoming increasingly important.

What are the Brisbane 2032 “Games laws”?

The Queensland Government has introduced a streamlined approvals framework for a limited category of Brisbane 2032 projects, including:

• authority venues
• athletes’ villages
• Games-related transport infrastructure, and
• associated project areas declared under the BOPGA Act.

The reforms centralise aspects of planning and approvals within Games delivery bodies, including the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA), to support accelerated project delivery ahead of 2032.

Importantly, the framework introduces an alternative process for assessing cultural heritage matters for qualifying Games infrastructure.

How cultural heritage approvals are changing

Traditionally, cultural heritage management for infrastructure projects in Queensland has involved compliance with several overlapping legislative frameworks, including:

• the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003
• the Queensland Heritage Act 1992
• the Planning Act 2016, and
• local planning instruments and heritage overlays.

Under the Brisbane 2032 Games framework, certain declared projects may instead follow a Games-specific approvals process.

A key mechanism is the introduction of a formal “cultural heritage notice”.

Once issued for a qualifying project, the notice effectively transitions the project into the BOPGA Act approvals pathway, where cultural heritage matters are assessed under the Games-specific regime and overseen by designated Games authorities.

The intent is to streamline approvals and reduce delivery delays while still requiring cultural heritage considerations to be addressed.

Which projects are affected?

A critical point for project teams is that the Games-specific framework is narrowly targeted.

The new approvals pathway applies only to projects formally declared under the BOPGA Act as Brisbane 2032 authority venues, villages or Games transport infrastructure.

For those projects, compliance with the Games laws may, in some circumstances, authorise works despite inconsistencies with other legislation, provided all Games-specific requirements are satisfied.

However, the vast majority of projects in Queensland are not affected.

For non-Games projects - including most private developments, council infrastructure works and regional projects - the standard cultural heritage framework continues to apply in full.

This includes ongoing obligations under:

• the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003, including Duty of Care obligations and Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) requirements
• the Queensland Heritage Act 1992
• local heritage overlays and planning scheme requirements.

Why early approvals advice matters

As more Brisbane 2032 projects move from planning into procurement and delivery phases, correctly identifying the applicable approvals regime early is critical.

For proponents and project teams, key considerations include:

• whether a project is captured as Brisbane 2032 Games infrastructure
• whether a cultural heritage notice applies
• which approval pathway and decision-makers are relevant
• how stakeholder engagement requirements will operate under compressed delivery timeframes
• how existing heritage obligations interact with Games-specific approvals.

Misunderstanding the applicable framework may create significant risks, including project delays, compliance issues and stakeholder concerns.

How Redleaf Group supports Brisbane 2032 cultural heritage compliance

Redleaf Group Heritage is closely monitoring the evolving Brisbane 2032 approvals framework and its implications for cultural heritage management across Queensland infrastructure projects.

We assist clients by:

• determining whether Games-specific or standard heritage approvals apply
• designing compliant and practical cultural heritage methodologies
• supporting engagement with Traditional Owners and key stakeholders
• advising on Duty of Care and CHMP obligations
• helping project teams navigate accelerated delivery environments while maintaining robust compliance practices.

With major Brisbane 2032 infrastructure projects continuing to progress, proactive heritage planning is becoming increasingly important for successful project delivery.

If you would like advice on how the Brisbane 2032 Games laws may affect your project or approvals pathway, contact the Redleaf team.