Olympic-sized opportunities for Queensland property investors
The transition taking place in Brisbane and elsewhere in the sunshine state ahead of the 2032 Olympics is presenting myriad property investment opportunities, according to Benchmark Capital's Fawaz Sankari.
They may still be seven years away but the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 are already presenting some significant opportunities for property investors, with infrastructure upgrades and urban regeneration projects driving major growth.
The Games, which run from 23 July to 8 August 2033, followed by the Paralympics 24 August to 5 September, will not only transform Brisbane but extend to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and other regional Olympic venues with the opportunities for property investors there for the taking.
In Brisbane, suburbs near key Olympic infrastructure projects such as Woolloongabba (home to the Gabba stadium redevelopment), Albion, Northshore Hamilton, and the inner-city ring are already attracting significant investor interest.
“Other major infrastructure upgrades such as the Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro, along with the redevelopment of The Gabba stadium are set to reshape transport and liveability across inner Brisbane,” said Mr Fawaz Sankari, CEO Benchmark Capital, one of Australia’s leading property investment funds.
“With Brisbane 2032 aiming to be one of the most sustainable Olympic Games ever, there is growing interest in eco-conscious developments and precincts designed around walkability, clean energy, and long-term environmental resilience.”
These areas are also seeing improvements in transport, amenities and housing, which are enhancing long-term capital growth and rental yields for investors looking to gain a foothold in the highly-competitive southeast Queensland property sector.
Investment hotspots to watch
The Northshore Hamilton precinct, six kilometres northeast of Brisbane’s CBD and the site of the Olympic Village, is a key area to watch with post-Games plans for a mixed-use residential development likely to offer strong returns for investors over the medium to long term.
“The Olympics are expected to create tens of thousands of jobs in construction, tourism and hospitality, which will further drive demand for rental housing and support long-term capital growth,” Mr Sankari said.
The Gold Coast, already equipped with world-class sporting facilities from the 2018 Commonwealth Games, is set to host events such as beach volleyball and marathon races.
Areas like Southport, Broadbeach and Robina are poised for further infrastructure enhancements and sustained tourism growth, making them appealing for both short-term rentals and long-term residential investment.
Further afield, regional centres slated to hold events, including the Sunshine Coast, Redland Bay and Toowoomba are also set to benefit from transport upgrades and increased international visibility.
Property in these regions currently offers more affordable entry points compared to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with strong potential for price appreciation.
While the Olympics can stimulate growth, investors should consider long-term fundamentals such as population growth, employment hubs and infrastructure commitments beyond 2032.
“While growth is expected, investors should be mindful of speculative spikes and focus on well-located assets with fundamentals that will remain strong post-2032,” Mr Sankari said.
Historical patterns in other Olympic cities like Sydney (2000) and London (2012) show a mix of outcomes, so due diligence is always essential.
However, overall, the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 offers a rare opportunity to align property investment with transformational urban change across Queensland.
