Brisbane 2032 Olympics’ benefits for Far North need formal plan

Motherhood statements and talk of “potential” alone will create no post-Olympics legacy for the Far North, as a veteran tour operator calls for the establishment of a formal plan.

Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris, Passions of Paradise managing director Alan Wallish and the Cairns Marina.

Motherhood statements and talk of “potential” alone will create no post-Olympics legacy for the Far North, as a veteran tour operator calls for the establishment of a formal plan.

For more than 30 years, Passions of Paradise managing director and TTNQ board member Alan Wallish has watched major events roll into the region and heard the associated lingo: “This will be great for tourism, it’ll pump millions into the economy.”

While not disputing the benefits of major events, Mr Wallish believes the region must become more proactive to reap the long term, post-Olympic benefits often spoken about by advocates of the 2032 event.

“We can’t just sit back and accept the economic injection for the two weeks and then expect there to be a lasting legacy just because millions of people watched the event,” he said.

Passions of Paradise managing director Alan Wallish is calling for a formal plan to reap the benefits of the 2032 Olympics. Picture: Brendan Radke

It comes as Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris toured the city last week, exploring local tourism offerings while stating ambitions to help the Far North’s economy grow.

“That is one of the reasons you attract the Olympics – the economic benefits – in this case, in this city, tourism; how do I get more international tourists here, knowing the facilities are here, the hotels, restaurants, the tourist facilities … to make it a lasting benefit,” Mr Liveris said as he departed Barlow Park for the Skyrail on Thursday.

Mr Wallish acknowledged the Olympics boss’ credentials and vision, and said Queensland was “lucky to have secured him.”

President of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Dr Andrew Liveris wants to help grow the Far North’s economy. Picture: Brendan Radke

Pointing towards the already under way preparation of the southeast for the event in eight years’ time, Mr Wallish said the Far North deserved a formal plan to identify the region’s strengths and weaknesses before investment was directed north.

“What we really need is our political masters to have belief in us; you’re 2000 km away from your own state parliament, let alone federal parliament. Sometimes we’re a blimp on the map.”

“It can’t be a talkfest. We need to come up with actual programs.”

Singapore Airlines’ A350 service to Cairns. TTNQ director Alan Wallish wants the region to secure additional international routes into the city. Photo: Supplied

While not commenting on whether the state’s tourism department needed to be relocated to the Far North, Mr Wallish said the region “absolutely” needed a blueprint.

“If we’re going to invest funds in Queensland on the back of tourism, we need to identify where to put that money,” he said.

“At the moment that money is going a bit here and there, it needs to be focused.”

Mr Wallish said among the improvements he would look for included upgrading the “tired” marina and securing additional direct international flight routes into Cairns.

Originally published as Brisbane 2032 Olympics’ benefits for Far North need formal plan