“As an experience State member as well as a former local councillor who chaired our finance committee, Tim knows the importance of Brisbane’s city centre to the Queensland economy,” Cr Schrinner said.

“I welcome the focus on returning workers and visitors to the CBD because this will create opportunities for business and generate jobs.

“Anyone who has been to Brisbane’s city centre lately will have noticed empty tenancies where shops used to be and it is going to take governments and the private sector working together to mount a full recovery.”

Cr Schrinner said Brisbane’s CBD had been hit hard by restrictions and repeated lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the height of the pandemic, pedestrian traffic in the Queen Street Mall dropped to just 17 per cent of pre-COVID levels,” he said.

“Prior to the July lockdown, that had improved to 68 per cent while the latest figure is about 50 per cent.

“When vaccination levels reach required levels and restrictions are lifted, clearly there’s some work to be done to help the city fully recover.”

Cr Schrinner also welcomed LNP Leader David Crisafulli’s appointment as Shadow Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as Fiona Simpson and Tim Mander’s appointments to Olympic roles.

“The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games may be over a decade away but we can’t afford to waste a moment if we’re going to deliver the best Games ever,” he said.

“I want all levels of government working together because if we properly leverage the opportunity presented by hosting the Games we can build an even better Brisbane and a better Queensland.”

Ends