BRISBANE’S outer suburbs will not be connected to the Brisbane Metro network before the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Brisbane Labor claiming new council documents show the Metro expansion business case will not be completed until 2028.
Labor says council procurement documents underpinning the project indicate the business case was never scheduled for “rapid delivery”.
A Significant Contracting Plan approved in December 2025 states the business case is “anticipated to be delivered within 24 months,” with the contract commencement date set for 1 June 2026.
On that basis, the earliest expected completion would fall in mid-2028.
The same documents outline a staged procurement process, with expressions of interest closing in February 2026, request-for-proposal evaluation concluding in May 2026 and contracts commencing from June 2026.
The plan also notes the business case may be delivered in stages and is subject to ongoing discussions with the Queensland Government regarding roles, responsibilities and scope.
Labor claims the timeline shows expressions of interest for the Brisbane Metro Expansion were only released last week, despite the project being announced 18 months ago.
The Opposition says the delay means key growth areas across Brisbane’s north, south and east, along with workers and visitors travelling to Brisbane Airport, will miss out on improved public transport connections in the lead-up to the Games.
The stalled progress comes as Brisbane has been ranked among the most congested cities in the world, intensifying pressure on the city’s transport network after more than two decades of LNP control at City Hall.
The Metro expansion was promoted as a central part of the solution to Brisbane’s congestion problems.
However, critics say the slow-moving business case highlights broader failures to keep pace with population growth and infrastructure demand.
Brisbane Labor has accused Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and his LNP administration of failing to treat congestion as an urgent priority, despite significant federal funding support.
Leader of the Opposition Cr Jared Cassidy said Brisbane residents were paying the price for inaction.
“After two decades of decline under this LNP Council, Brisbane families are stuck in traffic while the Lord Mayor drags his feet on the transport solutions our city desperately needs,” Cr Cassidy said.
He said the delays were particularly concerning given the level of federal investment already committed.
“The Federal Labor Government handed Council $50 million for this business case a year ago – money labelled for RAPID delivery,” he said.
“Instead, we’re looking at a business case that won’t even be finished until 2028.
“That’s not rapid, that’s a disgrace.”
Cr Cassidy said commuters deserved stronger leadership as congestion continued to worsen across the city.
“Brisbane families stuck in traffic every day deserve better than a Lord Mayor who is asleep at the wheel,” he said.
“We need delivery, not delays.”
In response, a Schrinner Council spokesperson said Brisbane Metro had already proven successful and that planning for future extensions was ongoing.
“More than 6 million passengers have already jumped on board Brisbane Metro and it’s been a huge success,” the spokesperson said.
“While the Labor Opposition continues to oppose this transformative project we’ve been busy progressing planning on future Metro extensions for more than a year.
“The expansion of Brisbane Metro is a long-term program that will be delivered in stages as planning is completed and funding is secured.
“The formal business case process is continuing.
“The State’s own 2032 delivery plan recognises future Northern and Eastern Metro corridors as part of Brisbane’s long-term transport network.
“We’ll continue working constructively with all levels of government to advance the next stages of Brisbane Metro and keep Brisbane moving.”
