In the lead-up to ARBSQLD next month, ARBS chair, Tony Arnel, has released a whitepaper which explores the pressures shaping Queensland’s built environment and what it means for consultants, contractors, asset managers, manufacturers and decision-makers.
Queensland is entering a crucial phase of growth and transformation.
With a projected $77 billion construction pipeline, a fast-tracked clean energy transition, and the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the state presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the HVACR industry.
Entitled The Heat is On, the whitepaper is essential reading for professionals looking to better understand the market conditions in Queensland.
It brings together government data, industry insight and strategic questions for those working in and around Queensland’s HVACR sector.
The whitepaper reveals:
- A 50% construction spike by 2026–27: Queensland’s building pipeline is forecast to grow from $53 billion to $77 billion in just two years, driven by energy projects, infrastructure and Olympic works.
- An urgent workforce gap: A 40,300-person shortfall is expected in Queensland’s public infrastructure workforce by August 2026.
- A state with high cooling demand but low household usage: Queensland accounts for 25% of Australia’s energy use, yet households consume only 74% of the national average, a paradox with efficiency implications.
- A $7.1 billion Olympic build with no mandated HVAC efficiency standards: The Games present an opportunity to lead in climate-adapted venue design, but current frameworks may be falling short.
- Supply chain pressures and refrigerant uncertainty: Global dynamics are reshaping how local manufacturers approach innovation, value and compliance.
Queensland’s climate, decentralised population, and large-scale infrastructure rollout make it a pivotal region for future-focused HVACR solutions.
The whitepaper positions the state as a testing ground for policy, technology and capability development in the face of growing performance and sustainability demands.
“This paper offers a big-picture snapshot of just some of the issues we’ll be exploring at ARBSQLD and asks a few hard questions. The answers won’t come from one individual, but from all of us," Arnel said.
ARBSQLD, which will host more than 100 exhibitors, will be held on August 27-28, 2025 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC). Download the free whitepaper at: www.arbs.com.au/arbsqldwhitepaper