We’re rapidly approaching the end of another busy year, especially as our Brisbane projects continue to ramp up, and in particular, our work with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Our team is ramping up the number of Brisbane staff, clients and projects we have on the go. A large focus for us is the 2032 Olympic Games and how to make the legacy of the Games an inclusive and accessible one. It's also important to introduce and expand on Universal Design (UD) and its principles so they can be thoughtfully incorporated into any new or redevelopment projects.
With sites around Brisbane chosen and more venues being finalised each month, the work begins now to ensure the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games leave a positive and inclusive legacy.
As it stands, Brisbane as a whole has a long way to go when it comes to accessibility. In a recent experiment, Paralympian Karni Liddel explored Brisbane’s sometimes very hilly streets to demonstrate why they’re such a headache for those with mobility issues to manoeuvre.
I regularly travel to Brisbane, even more so now since we’re slated to be involved with the Games, advising on how to improve accessibility venue by venue, but also holistically as an entire lasting infrastructure for the city and all those who live there and visit.
My most recent trip to Queensland was for this year’s DestinationQ Forum, the state’s leading tourism industry event. The annual event brings together government and industry leaders to consider the industry's future. The most notable announcement by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was the state government's commitment of $12 million for “Accessible Tourism”. The commitment is for the following outcomes:
- Supporting small to medium-sized tourism and events businesses to develop or enhance accessibility for people of all abilities.
- Extending the Accessible Tourism in Queensland project, including top tourist destinations like Bundaberg, Capricorn, Gladstone, Mackay, Southern Queensland and the Whitsundays.
- Generating activities that raise awareness of accessibility needs and disability services support for visitors, workers and the community.
As part of a panel, I spoke at DestinationQ to over 900 delegates about all things accessibility, particularly for large-scale, international events – something we have a fair amount of experience with.
One of the key messages I wanted to get across is how National Construction Code (NCC) compliance is the absolute minimum that is required. However, we also need to aim for Universal Design and above standards accessibility outcomes. We need to create environments where accessible toilets, changing place amenities and all-gender toilets are standard. We also need to start to consider the inclusion of parents/change rooms, quiet or sensory spaces, multi-faith rooms, accessible hotels and villages, and transport networks that are seamless.
It’s an exciting time for international events in Australia, with Victoria hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games. We are already starting to put together principles and technical requirements to ensure we are creating a lasting legacy before, during and after the Games in Melbourne as well.
Queensland has declared 2023 the Year of Accessible Tourism. But accessible tourism isn’t just for a year. It’s ideally something we integrate into our planning for generations to come. Accessible tourism is projected to be worth between $8 to 10 billion to the Australian economy and is only growing as the population ages.
Adding to accessible tourism is that, in less than ten years, the Paralympics alone will invite approximately 5,000 athletes, 10,000 technical officials and volunteers, and sell an estimated 1.6 million tickets. The Olympics will almost double to triple the Paralympic numbers in terms of participants, officials and the Games family alone. These are all big numbers, and we need to have a plan for accommodating the diverse needs of international visitors.
We’re pleased to hear that the anecdotal feedback for this proposal and our perspective on accessibility requirements throughout the Games was well-received. Thank you to the Queensland Government Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council for the invitation and chance to have our say about Brisbane’s accessible future. You can view the DestinationQ Forum panel discussion on “The Business Case for Accessibility” here: http://bit.ly/3gecy86
This has been another bumper year for our crew around Australia, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.