AU Engine

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force hold concerns for the welfare of 44-year-old Angelo.

Angelo was last seen around 7pm on Saturday 3 January, walking in the direction of a service station along Bagot Road in Ludmilla. He was subsequently reported missing to police on Tuesday 6 January 2026.

He is believed to be wearing either white tracksuit pants and a black shirt, or Port Adelaide football shirt and black shorts.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number NTP260000241.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating the unlawful possession of OC spray after it was reportedly used by a 50-year-old male in Alice Springs early this morning.

Around 4:05am, police were notified that a person was being treated by St John Ambulance after OC spray had been used on them at a residential address in The Gap.

It is alleged the 57-year-old female victim had been sprayed with OC spray by a 50-year-old male during an altercation.

The parties are known to one another and no other injuries were reported to police.

Police attended and determined the OC spray had been purchased interstate and that the male was not eligible to possess OC spray in the Northern Territory.

The spray was seized and investigations into the exact circumstances of its deployment are still ongoing.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo is urging all residents to prepare and stay safe following the declaration of a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating for Friday January 9, 2026 across the region.

Under a Catastrophic rating, conditions are the most dangerous for bushfires and grassfires. If a fire starts, it will be fast-moving, unpredictable, and extremely difficult to control.

Several City locations will be closed and some services will be impacted on Friday January 9, 2026 to prioritise community safety.

Closed locations:

• Eaglehawk Landfill
• Heathcote, Goornong, Strathfieldsaye and Eaglehawk Recycling Centres
• Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub Customer Service front desk
• Heathcote Customer Service Centre
• Heathcote Visitor Information Centre
• Heathcote Library
• Bendigo Animal Relief Centre (BARC)
• Bendigo Livestock Exchange
• Crusoe Reservoir
• Bendigo Botanic Gardens
• Goornong and Marong Pools

Affected City services:

• General waste, organics and recycling collection in bushfire high risk areas – impacted properties will receive a text message
• Helen Jessen and Annie Galvin Early Learning Centres
• Maternal Child and Health Services and immunisation sessions

Residents are strongly advised to:

• Avoid all non-essential travel
• Check on neighbours, family, and friends, especially those who may need assistance to prepare or relocate
• Review and activate your bushfire survival plan immediately
• Stay informed through official emergency channels

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The NT Police Force has arrested three offenders following an aggravated robbery that occurred in Leanyer overnight.

Around 10:05pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a bottle shop on Leanyer Drive had allegedly been robbed by three offenders.

It is alleged while inside the store, one of the offenders pushed a staff member to gain access to the alcohol, while a second offender threw a full can of alcohol at another staff member, hitting them on the foot. They then stole a quantity of alcohol and fled the scene.

A short time later, CCTV operators observed the alleged offenders at a shopping complex in Malak throwing items at a taxi.

Police attended and arrested a 15-year-old male and two females aged 15 and 21.

They remain in police custody with charges expected to follow. 

Anyone with information about the incidents are urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number P26007075. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers in 1800 333 000.

Source: Tasmania Police

Police praise crowd behaviour at Devonport Cup

Thursday, 8 January 2026 – 11:50 am.

Tasmania Police has praised the behaviour of about 5500 people who attended the 2026 Devonport Cup at the Spreyton Racecourse yesterday.Police had a strong presence the event, with members from Uniform, Criminal Investigation Branch and Drugs & Firearms Unit areas patrolling the grounds to assist with public order and to provide reassurance. The drug detection dog was also in attendance.During the day there were 750 wand searches conducted, with no weapons or dangerous articles were located during the wand searches.There were no arrests made at the Devonport Cup, however two men were given formal directions to leave the grounds after the conclusion of the last race due to their behaviour. Both men complied with the direction given and left the area without incident.Acting Inspector Martin Parker said that the behaviour of patrons at the Devonport Cup was excellent and it was pleasing there was no arrests made at the venue.“It was very gratifying for police members at the event to be stopped by members of the public and personally thanked for their service and ensuring people’s safety at the Cup.”Peter George, Deputy Chair of the Devonport Racing Committee, stated “We were overwhelmed by the support of Tasmania Police at yesterday’s Devonport Cup. The police presence, in conjunction with security, provided a safe environment for everyone to enjoy themselves and have a good time.”Western Road Policing Services conducted traffic operations in the vicinity of the Devonport Cup, where 827 RBTs were completed. Four traffic infringement notices and one defect notice were issued during the traffic operations.Acting Inspector Martin Parker said it was very pleasing that no drink (or drug) drivers were detected during the traffic operations around the Devonport Cup.“As we know, alcohol is a contributor to many fatal and serious crashes, so it’s fantastic that drivers did the right thing yesterday,” he said.At the conclusion of the Devonport Cup, the police focus was around the Devonport CBD and licensed premises, as many cup patrons make their way into these areas within the city.During the evening/night there was one arrest made for public order type offences. A woman was bailed to appear at the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.

Source: Tasmania Police

Man dies after ATV crash in Railton

Thursday, 8 January 2026 – 10:11 am.

Sadly, a 20-year-old man has died after a single quad bike crash in Railton last night (7 January).
The man was riding on a forestry road between Tasmanite Road and Pump House Road at Railton with a group of friends when it is believed the quad bike he was riding has left the road before clipping a tree stump on the side of the road.
Police and other emergency services were called to the scene about 9.00pm where the man received medical assistance, but he sadly died at the scene.
The circumstances surrounding the crash are currently being investigated by Western Crash Investigation Services and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker said this is the third serious crash involving off road vehicles in recent weeks, and it’s a tragic reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.
“We urge all riders to take extra care. Wear helmets and protective gear, stick to safe speeds, and avoid risky terrain.”
Tasmania Police offer our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family, friends and loved ones of all those involved at this difficult time.
Anyone with any information relating to the crash is asked to contact police on 131444 or via Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperstas.com.au.

Source:

ROB MITCHELL, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MCEWEN: Well, welcome everyone here this morning to Beveridge. This is one of the most exciting projects we’ll see here in Victoria, the Beveridge Intermodal Freight Precinct. We’ve got Minister King and Minister Horne here along with John Holland, everyone involved in this exciting event. And I’ll hand over to Minister King to do the announcement.

MINISTER CATHERINE KING: Thanks. Look, it’s terrific to be here again out at Beveridge with Rob Mitchell, the Member for McEwen; my friend and colleague, the State Minister for Ports, Freight, Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne; and, James Baulderstone, the CEO of the National Intermodal Corporation.

Well, this is a great day for Melbourne’s north, the start of the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct here which will generate over 8,000 jobs when operating here in this region – over $14 billion into the Victorian economy. We’ve seen just what a game-changer the Moorebank Intermodal Precinct is in Western Sydney, this will do exactly the same thing for Melbourne’s North – providing job opportunities so that people from Melbourne’s north can actually work in their local community.

This investment as part of the Australian Labor Government’s freight strategy to really get that interconnection between our rail, our road transport, and the Inland Rail Project that we are busy continuing to build as we speak. Beveridge will be a game-changer, as I said, for Melbourne’s north, really providing that opportunity for locals to not have to commute each day to Melbourne’s west, to Melbourne’s east, and Melbourne’s south for work, but actually having that opportunity of a significant industrial precinct here in Melbourne’s north.

It will also when up and operating, be a great generator not only of jobs but also of energy. We know that at Moorebank, the opportunity of solar panels has meant that we’re actually generating a substantial amount of energy, and that will also happen here in this community.

I want to acknowledge all of the work that has gone into the project so far. Contracts are now signed with John Holland for Stage 1 of this project to begin construction. But really, I want to thank the Victorian Government, who have really partnered with us to make sure that we’ve got the planning right for this project. We’ve got the interconnectedness with the Port of Melbourne to really make sure that this provides the opportunity to get more trucks off the busy Hume Highway, more trucks off our roads. And making sure that we’re getting more freight on rail and we have that interconnected logistics precinct.

I’m going to hand over to Melissa to say a few words. I’ll get James to say a few words and then we’ll all be happy to take your questions. Thanks, everyone.

MINISTER MELISSA HORNE, VICTORIAN MINISTER FOR PORTS AND FREIGHT: Thanks, Catherine. Well, today is a real opportunity to be able to thank the federal government for their vision in getting this program, this important project, up and running. Not only will it be a game-changer for Melbourne’s north but it will be a game-changer for the whole of Victoria. Because as the freight and logistics capital of Australia, we certainly are moving more freight, and want to see that onto rail.

We’ve got a long history of partnering with the Commonwealth Government through the vision a decade ago to be able to get those port-rail shuttle networks up and running. And this now is that important piece to be able to move freight much more efficiently, not only in and out of the port, but in and around Melbourne and beyond. So thank you very much to the federal government for this. James.

JAMES BAULDERSTONE, CEO NATIONAL INTERMODAL: As the Minister has said, this is a really exciting day for National Intermodal. It’s more than a rail terminal. This facility does three things that are really important for Australia into the future. It makes sure that people can access their essential products when they need them. It makes sure that they can be done affordably and underpin the cost of living challenges. And thirdly, sustainability – this has the opportunity to be 100 per cent a net zero precinct. And in the really hard to abate emissions for the freight sector, it’s truly transformational. So it’s been a great day, and thank you everyone for coming.

CATHERINE KING: Let’s start with me, I guess. I’m happy to take questions on this and other matters of course.

JOURNALIST: What about Melbourne Airport Rail? It is my understanding that the designs are very close to being signed off. When do we stand on that?

CATHERINE KING: The first part of Airport Rail, and again it’s fantastic to have such a great partner with the Victorian Labor state government. The first part is Sunshine. So getting the designs for the Sunshine Precinct there are just about ready, and untangling the loop for Melbourne Airport Rail. But also for the electrification of the Melton lines and other upgrades across the whole precinct as well. So that work, I understand, is pretty close. The $2 billion from the federal government is there, $2 billion from the state government, and work is continuing both on that and the Melbourne Airport Rail link. But really trying to make sure that we get that right and to start work on that as soon as we possibly can, but we’re still not finalised with the design stages of that yet.

JOURNALIST: When will that be finished?

CATHERINE KING: Well again, I don’t want to give you a date without having done that work, but the first piece of work is really the Sunshine station. That has to happen- and that construction on that Sunshine precinct has to happen first. The untangling of the rail network there, that will be the first piece of work and that really is the start of Airport Rail.

JOURNALIST: But considering, as you say, that work is basically finished.

CATHERINE KING: The design work’s finished. The construction’s a little way off yet.

JOURNALIST: So for the second part, the actual airport station design, is there a year when you think that will be done?

CATHERINE KING: Nice try, but the first thing we’ve got to do is really- like, Sunshine is huge. If you think about it, we’re basically building Southern Cross at Sunshine. You are disentangling over 150 years of rail network that has just been added to, and it is a really complex project. It’s a $4 billion, 50-50 funded project between the Albanese Labor Government and the Allan Labor state government here in Victoria. A really important project. That will have to be done first, then the loop to the airport will happen.

But that design work, early works on Melbourne Airport Rail have already been done. They’ve already been completed, so services have already been moved. So once we’ve got Sunshine started, got the untangling done, then we can start to proceed with Melbourne Airport Rail. I don’t want to give you a date yet, but we are working very closely with the Victorian Government on actually delivering both of those important projects for the west of the state.

JOURNALIST: What can you tell us then about the Sunshine project? Is that an imminent announcement?

CATHERINE KING: Certainly, the designs, as I understand, are not far off. And then you will be the first to see them as well. Well, hopefully, I’ll be the first to see them, and then you’ll be the second to see them.

JOURNALIST: And how have the meetings been? Obviously, it’s been well publicised that there has been a bit of back and forth between the state government and Melbourne Airport over designs and also construction.

CATHERINE KING: Yeah, can I just say the relationship between Melbourne Airport, the Victorian state government and the Commonwealth, has been terrific. Really, I think, taking that sort of sensible approach that we’ve taken to try and, you know, really work together to understand, what are the constraints of each party, work together – all of the reports that I’m getting is that relationship is good. We’re working very closely together and I think we will see Melbourne Airport Rail absolutely finally, after a long, period of time of successive promises, really actually starting to build and get traction.

JOURNALIST: You’ve flagged that there’d be more funding for Suburban Rail Loop, can you give us any indication about how those discussions are progressing?

CATHERINE KING: Yeah. Well certainly, we obviously have unlocked our $2.2 billion for Suburban Rail Loop East. You would have seen at the Metro testing, the Prime Minister say that the Commonwealth will work through our budget processes which are in May next year, to look for a further commitment to suburban rail east, and we’ll make those announcements in the budget.

JOURNALIST: You’ve obviously expressed concern in the past about the Allan Government’s plans and the vagueness in the way funding will occurred for the Suburban Rail Loop. Have those concerns been alleviated?

CATHERINE KING: So again, we’ve been working really closely with the Victorian Government to work through any of the issues that were raised through Infrastructure Australia, and I am very confident that you will see through the budget additional federal funding for suburban rail work. And we’ve been working, as I said, really closely. The Victorian Government has been providing significant amounts of information to my department. Our secretaries have been meeting very regularly about this project. And I’m confident that we- you know, we feel confident that we can make a further investment decision in suburban rail loop in the upcoming budget.

JOURNALIST: Will the further investment be the third that’s required?

CATHERINE KING: You’ll see all of that as part of the budget next year, which is in May in 2026.

JOURNALIST: Is it correct that the SRL and the airport rail have essentially kind of been bundled under the same project?

CATHERINE KING: Well certainly, you’ve got Sunshine, and that’s really critical. So Sunshine is critical to a whole lot of things. Sunshine is critical to electrify the Melton Line eventually. We’ve got money already being invested to lengthen the Melton Station and to work on the first parts of electrification, and to unlock that. And you’ll, I’m sure, hear more about the need for that in the west as we go further.

You’ve obviously got issues in terms of the northern line as well. Sunshine is critical for that as well. And airport rail will also have to be a loop. And all of that really is part of a really significant upgrade that’s needed for rail across the board in the west and the north. And really, that also is part of the suburban rail loop project as well.

JOURNALIST: Is it your advice that the airport rail link will be finished by about 2035?

CATHERINE KING: Again, nice try with dates. But really what we’re working through, what I’ve learnt well and truly in this portfolio, is to work systematically through issues and problems, make sure you’ve got the planning right, you’ve got the investment decisions right, and then you can start construction.

And really that’s what we’ve been doing, getting that really complex understanding of the needs of the project and working with our partners in the state government to really get on with trying to see what do we do to do for delivery.

I don’t want to make promises we can’t keep, I want to make sure we actually deliver, when we say we’re going to deliver it. That is exactly what we’re doing. Because that is the hallmark of this government, this Labor government, is that we are all about delivery. I don’t want to be standing there making promises and then having to change those. I want to be able to deliver on what we say we’re going to deliver.

JOURNALIST: Obviously though there’s been a big question about funding with SRL, can you promise that SRL will be finished?

CATHERINE KING: Well, again, the construction will be a matter for the Victorian state government, but it is happening – it is happening in the east.

I think the tunnel boring machines are starting to be assembled on site as we speak. I think there’ll be an event about that in the not too distant future. They are there. This project is happening. We are very proud to partner with the Victorian Government on what will be a significant project for Melbourne’s east, as well as investing significantly here now in Melbourne’s north.

I grew up in those eastern suburbs. That was where I spent all of my teenage years, travelling, trying to get from Syndal station over to Monash University to use the library over there when I was studying at university. I know how hard that was for me to do. Suburban Rail Link East will really change the way in which Melburnians move around this city. But also helps people from Gippsland – coming in, on that line, being able then to get to Monash Children’s Hospital for example on rail from the Gippsland line. That’s what Suburban Rail Loop does, as well as unlocking the potential of new housing that is linked in with where people can live and, great amenity in those suburbs that I grew up in.

JOURNALIST: You say that it’s happening, why the hesitancy and why the delay? It’s been, for example, you’re obviously foreshadowing budget announcements that the Prime Minister announced. Why not just commit the money now?

CATHERINE KING: Because we have a budget and there’s a budget process, so that’s what we’re doing.

JOURNALIST: Minister, just back quickly on the SRL. Given how much you’ve spent and how many contracts have been signed thus far, does that play any part to make it easier to providing the funding?

CATHERINE KING: As I said, we’ve already put $2.2 billion on the table, and that was already there. We did that back in 2022. We’ve always had confidence in this project, but in order for us to be able to make those investment decisions we have needed further information within the Victorian Government. That’s all been in the public domain through Infrastructure Australia’s assessments, and that’s the work that we needed to do with the Victorian Government to assure ourselves that this project really was going to be delivered in the way in which the Victorians were saying. We are confident about that.

We foreshadowed that we will start to make further investment decisions in that, and you’ll see those in the May budget.

JOURNALIST: Have you asked for any more information before that?

CATHERINE KING: That has been ongoing constantly, so that is constantly been happening basically on a weekly basis.

JOURNALIST: Can we ask Minister Horne a question please? The Health Workers Union said that there will be protests and potentially beds out of order in January, given an ongoing dispute. What is government’s reaction to that, and is there any support going to be given to those workers?

MELISSA HORNE: So first and foremost, I would like to thank every single healthcare worker that is out there on the front line every single day, saving the lives of Victorians. They do such an important role. And I do know that the Minister for Health is working very closely with the Health Workers Union to be able to bed down their EBA and to resolve this issue.

But can I also say that yesterday I was at the new Footscray hospital, where they are training up to 400 healthcare workers every single day, as we get ready for the opening of that on 18 February next year. And the excitement of those healthcare workers going into their brand new hospital, to be able to see those incredible facilities that they’re going to work in, it was really palpable. So the Victorian Government absolutely stands by healthcare workers and will continue to work with them to get their EBA done.

JOURNALIST: I know you said you’re getting closer trying to get to an agreement with them. Are you close to doing that? It sounds like they’re escalating.

MELISSA HORNE: Look, the Health Minister is in constant conversations with them to be able to get this resolved.

JOURNALIST: Do you accept that this will be a problem for the government in an election year, should it drag into January?

MELISSA HORNE: Well, I’m not here to talk about hypotheticals. What I can do is say that the health minister is working very closely with the union to be able to make sure that these workers who do such an important role are getting the remuneration and conditions that they deserve.

JOURNALIST: You say it’s a hypothetical though, but it’s- we are at the end of 2025. It’s only a couple of weeks away until we’re in an election year. Is that a problem for the government?

MELISSA HORNE: I’m not going to pre-empt the work that the health minister is doing.

JOURNALIST: If there are- if industrial action does ramp up in January and beds are limited, should Victorians be concerned about that, and will the government try to avoid that from happening?

MELISSA HORNE: Look, I have no further information about the work that the Health Minister is doing.

JOURNALIST: The Premier said on 3AW this morning when asked about the ongoing problem of potholes in Victorian roads, she seems to suggest that it’s the weather’s fault. Is that a genuine problem?

MELISSA HORNE: Well certainly back in 2022 we saw significant damage done to our road network as a result of the floodings. Most of that work has since been rectified, but that’s also too why the Victorian Government has spent nearly a billion dollars last year and nearly a billion dollars this year to be able to repair our roads. Without a doubt- and you know, if we come back to the purpose of why we are here today, we have got bigger, heavier trucks on our road network than ever before, and they’re doing a lot more damage to our roads. So that’s why partnering with the Commonwealth to be able to get trucks off roads, get freight onto rail is such an important part of that story too.

JOURNALIST: This is not a problem that’s unique to Victoria. There’s trucks on every road around Australia, and there’s weather- obviously bad weather all around Australia. Why are potholes a problem in Victoria?

MELISSA HORNE: Well, they’re a problem across the country, but that is why the Victorian- the Allan Labor Government is investing a record amount of spending in repairing and resurfacing our roads.

JOURNALIST: Do you accept though that the condition of Victorian roads right now is unacceptable?

MELISSA HORNE: Look, there’s always more work to be done, and that’s why we’re getting on with the job and we’ve got crews out across the network. And I’d like to thank each and every one of them for the important work that they do.

JOURNALIST: Minister, freight question. Just wondering about the impasse over the proposed removal of the Sunshine Regional Railway crossovers. There’s an alternative solution in sight, is there any progress on advancing that solution?

MELISSA HORNE: So just this week we had the final meeting of the Rail Freight Working Group, which has been a terrific collaborative piece of work where we’ve brought the departments and also industry together to be able to understand the way that freight moves around the network and also to the future needs. Because what we saw during the pandemic was, the disruption that occurred through our freight network was pretty vast. And subsequently since then, freight has changed significantly in the way that it moves. We’ve gone from a just-in-time to just-in-case sort of warehousing prospect. So understanding- being able to work with industry to understand their needs has been a really good thing, and we’ll have something to say about that in coming months.

JOURNALIST: Just very quickly on property. Victoria’s property sector has the least amount of confidence in the government compared to any other state or territory. Why is that?

MELISSA HORNE: So we’ve removed 65 taxes and charges in this sector over- as the course of the government. We’re out there all the time building houses, making sure that our planning laws are fit for purpose. And what I would say is just recently we had in the parliament changes to our planning laws that are unlocking that sort of- the red tape that many businesses feel. Unfortunately, the new leader of the Liberal Party decided not to support these planning changes, which will see so much more value being unlocked.

JOURNALIST: There is an element of frustration in the housing sector, they’re standing up today, saying that they have the least amount of confidence with Victorian Government than any other state.

MELISSA HORNE: Look, we’ll continue to work with the Property Council and with the industry to be able to build those homes that Victorians need.

JOURNALIST: You say that on taxes, you’re reducing taxes, but Victoria still is the highest taxing state in Australia. Do you accept that there still needs to be more done in bringing investment into Victoria, and particularly with [indistinct] tax, how much Victorians are charged [indistinct]?

MELISSA HORNE: Look, we are the fastest growing economy of all the states here in Victoria, and we’ll continue to work with the Property Council to be able to make sure that we’re continuing to build those homes, but also to the warehousing and unlocking the industrial land that we need to support our growing economy.

CATHERINE KING: Thanks, everyone.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The Albanese and Crisafulli governments have hit the ground running in 2026 on the delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, announcing the principal architects for the new Brisbane Stadium in Victoria Park.

Two Australian founded, internationally renowned firms – Cox and Hassell – will partner with Japan’s Azusa Sekkei to deliver an iconic stadium that reflects Queensland’s character and lifestyle.

The team brings a proven track record, having designed Perth’s Optus Stadium, the redeveloped Adelaide Oval, and were part of the consortia that delivered the 2006 redevelopment of the MCG’s Northern Stand.

Azusa Sekkei has delivered 120 stadiums worldwide, including the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Cox, Hassell and Azusa Sekkei team were awarded the contract after an extensive three-month procurement process by GIICA that began with an open market call for expressions of interest in September this year. 

The team is supported by two of the world’s leading engineering firms Arup Group Limited and SBP Australia who bring significant experience to the design of the stadium’s roof.

The concept is a Queensland response for the new venue that embeds the main stadium for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games into Victoria Park’s topography.

The new stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies and athletics at the 2032 Games, before becoming the city’s main stadium in legacy mode with 63,000 seats to serve as a fitting home ground for local sporing teams Brisbane Lions, Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat.

GIICA is delivering the 17 new and upgraded venues across the state in the $7.1 billion Games Venues Infrastructure Program jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“The games are well and truly on the way as Brisbane’s future stadium readies to take shape.

“Inspired by the iconic Queenslander, this stadium will be a worthy home for the world’s best athletes, talented performers and excited spectators during the games.

“The new Brisbane Stadium promises to become a landmark venue for the city as its home of global sporting events and international concerts, as well as home ground for local sports stars the Brisbane Lions, Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat for years to come.

“GIICA will now commence early design work, alongside project validation work, to ensure the new stadium can be delivered on time and on budget, ready for 2032.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier of Queensland and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie:

“The Crisafulli Government is working to restore confidence and momentum, ensuring the 2032 Games will be something every Queenslander can be proud of.

“COX, Hassell and Azusa Sekkei have developed a design concept that celebrates the best of our unique Queensland lifestyle and character in a truly magnificent vision for our stadium.

“The team is in place to see the stadium come to life in design and construction over the next few years and ensure the new Brisbane Stadium will be the pride of Queensland beyond 2032.”

Quotes attributable to GIICA Chairman Stephen Conry AM:

“We sought visionary design, innovation, and quality teamwork credentials when we started our selection process for the principal architect, and that is certainly what we have seen through our exhaustive deliberations.

“The track record of Cox, Hassell and Azusa Sekkei made them an outstanding choice as principal architects for Brisbane Stadium.

“The games will provide an incredible opportunity for our city and our state on the world stage and the designs and approach outlined by Cox, Hassell and Azusa Sekkei will deliver an iconic Brisbane Stadium that all Queenslanders will be proud to call our own.

“The selected team possess the appropriate experience in stadium design, alongside outstanding local knowledge and placemaking expertise, plus the added global resources that will be required for a project of this significance.”

Quotes attributable to Cox Architecture Director and Chair Richard Coulson:

“The Queensland character is defined more by humility than bravado, a quality reflected in the architecture of the traditional Queenslander.

“We believe the stadium must be truly of its place, reflecting not only the identity of Brisbane but also the broader region.

“It should foster the connection between where we live, the surrounding landscape, and nature itself.

“With its rolling green hills and sweeping views, Victoria Park is a stunning setting for this stadium.

“The importance of long views, capturing cooling breezes, and the essential provision of shade, all embody the relaxed way of life that Queenslanders cherish – qualities that are integral to our culture.”

Quotes attributable to Hassell Managing Principal Lucy O’Driscoll:

“This design goes beyond just meeting the needs of major international events by ensuring the venue can be adapted for a wide variety of sporting and cultural uses, making it a genuine asset for the whole community.

“It will not only deliver a world-class experience for athletes and fans but provide Brisbane with a vital piece of sporting infrastructure of true global calibre – a place all Queenslanders will be proud of.”