Brisbane 2032 Olympics bid: Why we shouldn't listen to Olympics 'party poopers'

The groom is southeast Queensland, the bride is the Olympics and tomorrow is the wedding day, writes Ann Wason Moore.

THE groom is standing at the altar.

As the music begins to play, he tearfully watches while the bride begins her slow walk down the aisle.

The crowd waits in anticipation as solemn vows are sworn and, finally, the moment comes to bestow the rings.

The five rings.

Because right now, the groom is southeast Queensland, the bride is the Olympics and tomorrow is the wedding day.

While those of us in the crowd are certain this union is about to become official, nothing is a done deal until both parties say ‘I do’.

And fingers crossed it all goes without a hitch (except for when they actually get hitched), because this is set to be a joyous partnership that will birth so many beautiful memories - even if there are some rather rude relations in the crowd who refuse to hold their peace.

To those who insist on speaking out both now and no doubt right up until 2032, here’s some advice: listen to the vows. Because the Olympic Games proposed for southeast Queensland will be like none other.

Where once the winning host city ultimately became the loser, lumped with white elephant stadiums and crushing costs, this is not your traditional marriage between event and city. 

In fact, talk about progressive - there’s not even a single city involved. Instead, the 2032 Games are set to be the first to represent a regionally spread-out hub-and-spoke model, with venues and events planned across SEQ  - including, of course, the Gold Coast. It’s like an Olympics Lite. All of the flavour, none of the fat.

In an analysis written for The Conversation, academics from Griffith University, Curtin University and the University of Queensland, explain how and why the 2032 Games are set to cost less than a third of the Tokyo Games.

For the first time, the International Olympic Committee has accepted a more flexible and efficient approach to hosting, which means we will need fewer new venues, a smaller athletes’ village and less Olympics-specific infrastructure overall.

“Temporary, flexible venues will be allowed for the first time, and venues can be shared by multiple sports. Athletes will also fly in just for their competitions and leave when they are over,” the academics wrote.

“Unlike host cities in the past, these Olympics will not be the sole reason for new development projects. Instead, they will be the catalyst for bringing forward current infrastructure and urban development plans. Around $400 million in road network improvements and $23 million in transport upgrades, for example, will be fast-tracked thanks to the successful Olympics bid.”

Looking at you light rail, second M1 and heavy rail.

I just don’t understand why more people are not getting excited about this. It’s the Olympics, people! The eyes of the world will be upon us and the opportunities will be there for the taking - with our children first in line.  

Ann Wason Moore. Picture Glenn Hampson

To the party poopers, this is not just about you but the future - of our city, of our region and of our children.

It’s time to cheer for this awesome new couple who are clearly so compatible … because it does not look like our Olympic bride will be doing a runner come tomorrow.  While the announcement is expected to be made in the early evening, after Queensland’s 80-minute presentation to the IOC, it’s going to be a big day of celebrations.

Festivities will kick off at Southbank’s Olympics Live site from 10am, with the official program starting on the big screen from 4pm, while local festivities at the Olympics Live site at Kurrawa Park starting at 4pm.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed that, post-announcement, Brisbane buildings, bridges and City Hall will light up in green and gold, while fireworks will shoot into the sky from river barges and CBD towers.

Let’s be real … those are not the plans of a nervous groom.

Honestly, it’s clear that the Olympics and SEQ are truly meant for each other.

And do I believe these Games will be worth it?

In the words of this bride 17 years ago: I do.

JULY 6 -  'Getting s***faced is so five minutes ago'

THE death of the Surfers Paradise pub crawl is just another sign that the Aussie drinking culture is on the rocks.

We’re not even a week into Dry July but already the anti-alcohol news is enough to drive me to drink.

Just kidding, I was drinking anyway.

But seriously, take this warning from news.com.au: “Australians have been urged not to turn to alcohol for comfort during the country’s coronavirus lockdown, with experts warning of excruciatingly dire long-term consequences.”

Excruciatingly dire? Bartender, better make it a double.

Still, not only is Dry July a good cause (helping people affected by cancer) it’s also good for you (possibly preventing you from getting cancer).

And, judging by recent events and research, sober is the new black(out). Whether it’s moderation or full-on abstinence, drinking less is growing ever more popular.

Even in our own Surfers Paradise – home of the gutter spew, the 5am shame-walk and the beachfront pass-out – getting s***faced is so five minutes ago.

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Two council workers cleaning rubbish of the beach as a man lays asleep next to them on the first day of 2017 at Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

Witness the fact that the infamous Cavill Ave pub crawls have been stopped dead in their inebriated tracks.

While perhaps no one is happier about their demise than Surfers Paradise business owner Elvio Pugliese, who has long campaigned against them, the truth is their popularity was dwindling anyway.

Mr Pugliese says the boozy tours, which included up to 300 people at their peak, had already declined in size but were still an ear and eyesore for patrons and business owners alike.

“We had the annual general meeting of the Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association and voted unanimously to ban pub crawls,” he says.

“What that means is that any member who breaches this ban can then be disqualified from being a member – which is problematic for their liquor licence.

“On top of that, the council is now taking action against anyone touting on the streets. If they see that, they will action it with police. It’s a two-tier approach and I think this is finally the end of it.

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Police will be stopping anyone ‘touring’ on the streets and will take action. 2018 Disney Pub Crawl. Picture: Tony Martin

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“That’s not the patronage we want in Surfers … we’re better than that. And with that market gone, the only way is up.”

Indeed, area councillor Darren Taylor says it’s time for Surfers to change its tone.

“We’re transitioning away from that nightclub/party precinct to a true night economy. The nightclubs are still a part of the story and always will be, but they are just one chapter,” says Cr Taylor.

The truth is that while Aussies in general – and younger generations in particular – still enjoy a drink, they’re ordering by the glass, not the bottle.

When it comes to copying the cool kids, it’s all about social media selfies in hip restaurants and bars with pretty cocktails and fancy plates … dollar drinks, pitchers of warm beer and pre-loading at a mate’s place are simply no longer in fashion.

A delighted Darren Taylor at Broadbeach. Picture Glenn Hampson

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There’s even research behind it.

La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research leading researcher Dr Michael Livingston says there has been a broad decline in the number of people who choose to drink, as well as the amount of alcohol consumed by those who drink.

He says the rise of social media could also be linked to the fact that young people seem to prefer to post a photo of a sunrise than stumble out of a nightclub at that same time.

“We have a whole pile of theories,” says Dr Livingston. “One reason this trend is really interesting is that it’s a pattern observed in other countries too, like Sweden, Finland, Norway, the UK and Germany.

“It’s a broad shift, which immediately means the reasons are unlikely to be something particularly relevant to the local context – like a particular policy.

“I think Dry July, Feb Fast and Hello Sunday Morning are probably reflecting a shift, or amplifying it, rather than driving it.

“One factor might be a reaction to a heavy-drinking cohort that came before. We saw peaks in consumption in many countries in the early 2000s, with lots of (resulting) problems and then reactions against that both from policy and the media. Maybe we’re seeing a reversal of a long trend.”

And by embracing that trend, Surfers is renewing its own image as well.

Surely we can all drink to that.

Originally published as Brisbane 2032 Olympics bid: Why we shouldn't listen to Olympics 'party poopers'