Ratepayers to fund SEQ mayors’ 10-day trip to Europe, Singapore
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner will lead SEQ mayors on a 10-day mission in Singapore, England and France to meet global leaders regarding Olympic legacy opportunities.
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Ratepayers will fund a 10-day mission for South East Queensland mayors to meet global leaders and investigate how the city can benefit from Olympic legacy opportunities.
The Council of Mayors delegation will examine transport, urban renewal, housing and waste management opportunities in Singapore, Manchester and Paris next month.
The 11 mayors will meet Singaporean leaders and study how the country has accelerated the rollout of world-class digital connectivity and water security.
They will travel to Manchester to learn about its proposed redevelopment of Old Trafford Stadium District and then onto Paris to understand how public transport connects venues and cities.
Led by Brisbane Lord Mayor and council chair Adrian Schrinner, the mayors will meet Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Manchester Lord Mayor Paul Andrews and senior officials from the Singaporean Government.
“As our region continues to grow it’s important we engage with other global cities to understand how they are addressing both the challenges and opportunities of growth,” Mr Schrinner said.
“The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a lasting legacy that will keep our region moving now and into the future.
“Learning how other cities are delivering long-term advantages for their residents is an important step to ensuring South East Queensland continues to be one of the best places in the world to live.
“We’re keen to learn world-leading practices so we can help deliver them here at home.”
February’s 10-day trip comes despite several councils, state and federal governments sending representatives to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
It is the second trip to Paris by a Brisbane City councillor within eight months, with former Deputy Mayor Krista Adams attending the Olympic Games and councillor Vicki Howard attending the Paralympic Games.
It was part of some $351,000 spent by Brisbane ratepayers over the past three-and-a-half years for councillors and staff to travel overseas on Olympic and Paralympic Games business.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli also attended the Paris Olympic Games.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate flew to Paris twice, with two council officers, for the Games and Paralympics at a total cost of about $40,000.
It was revealed Redlands Mayor Jos Mitchell will join the trip despite being opposed to a multimillion-dollar Olympic whitewater venue at Birkdale.
The Council of Mayors said past missions helped support critical partnerships with other levels of government and the private sector, including the $1.8bn South East Queensland City Deal, the 2032 Games and advanced air mobility.
THE TRIP
Singapore: Strengthen partnerships for future investment and trade, explore its world-class public transport network and how AI is boosting efficiency.
Manchester: Understand how Manchester is responding to transport needs, housing pressures and supporting urban regeneration. Visit innovation hub UK Media City.
Paris: Explore mass public transit initiatives, including upgrades prioritised ahead of the Paris Games. Study the rollout of advanced air mobility infrastructure, with an update on plans to rollout vertiports across the Paris region.
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