Operational costs are expected to increase as a result of the decentralised nature of Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

While the operational bill will be funded by the International Olympic Committee, sponsorship and ticket sales, Queensland taxpayers are on the hook for any shortfall.

Sport Minister Tim Mander, who returned to his role on Thursday, acknowledged the government still didn’t know how much the Brisbane 2032 Games would cost to run – partly due to uncertainty about what sports would be included.

“It is a little bit flexible at the moment,” he said.

“As we go forward and as things become more concrete, we’ll know the actual cost and then we adjust accordingly.

“If we’ve got to raise more money, if we’ve got to generate more ticket sales, we (will) look at other revenue-raising opportunities to meet whatever cost it might be.

“What we are making sure … is that it doesn’t cost taxpayers any money.”

Brisbane 2032 President Andrew Liveris has previously said the $4.9bn cost announced in 2021 “bears no resemblance” to the actual cost.

Mr Mander said the government would not wind back its plans for regional Queensland to host Olympic and Paralympic events.

“We’re going to make it work and there’s a lot of work to be done, but it’s going to work,” he said.

The size of Games venues will determine how much revenue is earned from ticket sales.

Some people familiar with Brisbane’s Games planning argue Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River rowing venue will struggle to facilitate a significant number of spectators.

Mr Mander said the spectator capacity for Rockhampton’s venue would be part of the site evaluation.

Separately, the IOC could offer a reprieve to under-threat sports for the Brisbane 2032 Games.

The IOC is tipped to trim the number of sports included in its core Olympic program.

Fears canoe slalom would be axed – despite the state planning a $250m Redlands whitewater centre – prompted speculation Brisbane would need to choose it as one of its four discretionary picks.

“Our discussions with the IOC is that they will fully respect the information that we’ve been using to decide the sports, and so it could be a situation – speculating – where a sport might be eliminated for the future, but not for our Games,” Mr Mander revealed.

“The discussions I know that Andrew’s had with the IOC are very much around … we want to make sure that our plans aren’t jeopardised in any way.”

BUDGETS EXPLAINED

Infrastructure: Split between the state and federal governments, $7.1bn will be spent building new venues and upgrading existing ones. The flagship venue will be the $3.8bn Brisbane Stadium at Victoria Park.

Operational: The $4.9bn cost of building temporary venues and putting on the Games – such as installing fencing, running athletes’ transport and security services. It will be funded by the International Olympic Committee, tickets sales and sponsorship. Any shortfall will be funded by the Queensland taxpayer and 2032 President Andrew Liveris has already foreshadowed an increase.

Athletes villages: $3.5bn is allocated to build four athletes villages in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Rockhampton. About 10,500 athletes will compete in 2032.

Other: Infrastructure around venues, such as pathways, bus stations, and road upgrades will be funded separately. This is likely to be paid for by state and local governments under the guise of legacy projects.