The Australian Article: Olympic board developer wins deal to build on rejected site

Illustration: Queensland Government

The developer who helped steer Brisbane 2032’s athletes village away from Northshore Hamilton has won the right to build on it himself.

By Mackenzie Scott

A Queensland developer who was on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic advisory board that opposed a riverfront site for the athletes village has been chosen by the state government to redevelop it.

Laurence Lancini was a founding member of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority board, which in March 2025 recommended that the Crisafulli Liberal National Party government undertake “alternative site assessments” for the proposed athletes village at the vacant Northshore Hamilton site.

Weeks after the announcement, Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Jarrod Bleijie announced the village – expected to accommodate more than 10,000 Olympians – would be relocated to the EKKA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills as part of a wider redevelopment.

Earlier this month Mr Bleijie announced a residential mixed-use precinct to be built at the North Shore site, delivering almost 2200 units across five allotments. Mr Lancini’s company, Lancini Group, was one of five property developers picked by the state planning body, Economic Development Queensland, to deliver projects.

Mr Lancini told The Australian there was no conflict of interest in the selection process, nor had he discussed his intention to bid on the site with Mr Bleijie or Premier David Crisafulli. “I made it very clear that I was bidding for that site, and it’s in the (GIICA) conflict of interest register,” Mr Lancini said.

Eighteen developers bid to buy and develop the five sites, which went to open tender at the start of the year. After expressions of interest closed in April, EDQ selected the top two proponents for each site, who then presented their best and final terms.

An independent probity officer also oversaw the process.

Lancini Group is slated to deliver nearly 500 apartments, alongside mixed-use retail, dining and commercial space.

A spokesman for Mr Bleijie said both government agencies act independently.

“Economic Development Queensland is completely separate to GIICA and conducted an independent and rigorous process to select the five proponents who’ll transform Hamilton’s riverfront into a thriving precinct, instead of Labor’s unfunded plan to build an athletes village,” the spokesman said.

The Australian does not suggest any wrongdoing by Mr Lancini.

EDQ said, “Contracts are now progressing through detailed commercial negotiations.” The price paid by the five proponents – including GRAYA, Joe Adsett Developments, Greyburn and Red & Co – has not been revealed.

Image: GIICA