Former Sunshine Coast Council CEO Emma Thomas has been appointed as the Interim CEO of the body tasked with delivering venues for the Brisbane Olympics.

Ms Thomas takes up the role with the new independent Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority in July.

It comes after Ms Thomas previously accepted a role to become the new CEO of the water authority Seqwater.

She’ll now serve as the Interim CEO of the Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority until a permanent CEO is appointed, before commencing at Seqwater.

Ms Thomas, who was previously an RAAF engineer, brings decades of experience to the role, after working in senior positions at Boeing and the South Australian, Queensland, and ACT governments.

She has also served as a non-executive director for Aviation Australia and participated on the Minister’s Defence Advisory Council for Queensland.

State parliament last week passed legislation establishing the independent Games delivery authority to oversee delivery of new and upgraded venues to be used during the Games and beyond.

Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace said the government has half a billion of contracts in the market already, and has  launched its Q2032 procurement strategy.

“Advertisement for up to seven independent board directors will soon commence, to be selected by CEOs of the nine Games Delivery Partners,” she said.

“The board will then appoint a permanent CEO.”

Ms Thomas says she is looking forward to speaking with stakeholders across Queensland and Australia.

“We want to make sure we can bring about the incredible benefits the Games offer, and continue with the delivery of the venues we have already announced,” she said.

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