For two decades Queensland has outpaced the nation with economic growth averaging three per cent per year compared to 2.6 per cent across Australia.
Moreover, Construction Skills Queensland forecasts a 50 per cent increase in the state’s construction pipeline in just two years, from $53 billion in 2024/25 to $77 billion by 2026/27.
ARBS chair, Tony Arnel, said the state’s building boom is being driven by three powerful forces – population growth, the net zero transition and the 2032 Olympics.
He said Queensland is expected to surpass six million people by 2032, intensifying demand for housing, transport, healthcare, education and utilities.
At the same time there has been massive investment in renewable energy and infrastructure for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.
“For the HVACR industry, the opportunity is clear; deliver smart, scalable systems to match Queensland’s climate, ambition and rapid economic growth,” he said.
In a whitepaper explaining why Queensland is ground zero for HVACR innovation, Arnel said these events are more than a sporting spectacle. The capital works program for the Olympics totals $7.1 billion.
“It’s a once-in-a-generation chance to design and deliver world-class infrastructure in a changing climate,” he said.
“While attention is fixed on stadiums and spectacle, we can’t ignore the systems that will keep athletes, crowds and communities cool, safe and comfortable.
“Brisbane’s climate in the early 2030s is expected to resemble Bundaberg’s today.
“What we build now will shape Queensland’s legacy long after the medals are awarded and the crowd has finished its applause.”
Supply chain issues and the changing refrigerant policy landscape have contributed to a shift in business strategies.
“Local HVAC manufacturers are pivoting from volume to value focusing on natural refrigerants, tailored systems and climate-specific niches that can’t easily be replicated offshore,” Arnel said.
The HVAC&R toolkit is changing fast. From ultra-low-GWP refrigerants to predictive sensors, modular plug-and-play systems to machine-learning diagnostics, today’s tech is compact, connected and climate-smart.
This isn’t some distant, futuristic vision. The transformation is already here reshaping how we design, install, monitor and manage building services. The challenge now? Adoption. Integration. Scale.