At over 1.7 million square kilometres, it’s hard to imagine the size and scale of Queensland.
It is five times the size of Japan, seven times the size of Great Britain and two and a half times the size of Texas.
Queensland boasts a $500 billion economy and over the past two decades, economic growth has generally exceeded the national average.
The 2024-25 State Budget forecast Queensland’s economic growth to strengthen to three per cent in both 2023-24 and 2024-25, after rising 2.3 per cent in 2022-23.
Despite persistent pressures from high inflation and increased interest rates, Queensland’s labour market has remained strong, with year-average employment growth since COVID-19 outperforming the rest of the nation (on average).
Queensland’s growing population, currently totalling 5.5 million, has been driven by nation leading interstate migration since COVID-19 and a substantial rebound in net overseas migration after international borders were reopened.
The state’s tourism market is the second largest in Australia, accounting for 24.8 per cent of national tourism output and directly employing 145,700 persons in 2022‑23. Tourism is worth more than $14.2 billion while education and training was worth $22.5 billion in 2023.
Queensland has world class education and training systems, with 12 universities and over 360 education providers, attracting global talent and fuelling the jobs and skills required for the future.
Construction boom
Queensland is undergoing a massive construction boom with several large-scale projects underway, including infrastructure initiatives like Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro, and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games venues.
Construction is the third largest employer in the state with 264,300 people employed in the industry in 2022‑23. The construction industry contributed $34.2 billion to Queensland’s economy in 2022‑23, making it the state’s fourth largest industry.
In the lead-up to ARBSQLD, CCN looks at two recent projects that have changed Brisbane’s city skyline - Queen’s Wharf and the Neville Bonner Bridge.
Queens Wharf
This new world-class integrated resort development places Brisbane on the map as a tourism, leisure and entertainment destination.
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane transforms the CBD and river’s edge with an iconic design that embraces Brisbane’s inviting subtropical climate and celebrates the precinct’s Indigenous and European heritage with interpretive trails and experiences spanning the Brisbane River and ridgeline.
Destination Brisbane Consortium has delivered this multi-billion-dollar development, which covers more than 12 hectares of CBD land and is home to The Star Brisbane – a vibrant urban playground that brings a range of unique entertainment options, world class hotels, delectable dining, spectacular sky-high views, and a state-of-the-art Event Centre to the river city.
Experience how the new Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct has transformed an under-utilised area into a breathtaking and vibrant oasis for locals and visitors, blending beautifully repurposed heritage buildings with stunning contemporary architecture. It is a $3.6 billion development.
The tower is 242 metres high and features 667 premium one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.
Neville Bonner Bridge
Named in honour of the late Indigenous Senator Neville Bonner AO, the Neville Bonner Bridge links both sides of the Brisbane River, forming a stronger connection between the popular South Bank arts and cultural precinct and the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct.
The Neville Bonner Bridge is a focal icon for the development, adding to Brisbane’s collection of unique bridges and enabling greater connectivity for both locals and visitors.
Key facts about Neville Bonner Bridge:
Over 320 metres in length
Height of the mast 77 metres above sea level
Up to 10,000 pedestrian crossings a day
Constructed using over 1000 tonnes of structural steel and 900 tonnes temporary steelwork sourced locally.
ARBSQLD will be held on August 27-28, 2025 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) and entry is free.