Council Paris Olympics report reveals how Brisbane can do the Games better
The Paris Olympics were deemed a hit but how can Brisbane 2032 top that? Here’s what we can do better than the Seine City.
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A Games legacy fund using private and government funds, testing the volunteer program ahead of time and using torch bearers and temporary venues to showcase the city are some of the key findings Brisbane City Council gleaned from its visit to the Paris Olympics.
Deputy Mayor Krista Adams, who has responsibility for council’s handling of the Games and Paralympics, this week finally tabled a report on her trip and what she learned.
She came under fire for the $12,557 cost of her fact-finding mission, from July 22 to August 4, but pointed out at the time that she paid for her flights and that accommodation was allocated by Games officials.
The report included findings by Community and Arts Chair, Councillor Vicki Howard, who attended the Paralympics from August 24 to September 1 at a cost of $14,129.
Council’s legacy and Games planning manager also attended, at a total cost of $23,197, as did its general manager for transport planning and operations ($21,705) and its manager of strategy and governance ($21,256).
A spokesman for federal Sports Minister Anika Wells said she was not required to submit a report for her two trips to the Olympics and Paralympics from July 22-28 and August 25-September 1.
A full cost breakdown has not yet been published by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority, but the spokesman said the final cost ended up about $5000 more than a previously published total cost estimate of $35,000.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli also attended. Council paid $7500 for her accommodation but she paid for her airfares.
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.
His office was approached for comment on whether he would table a report on his findings.
The 16-point, four-page said a major learning was the need to road test the volunteer program before the 2032 Games because of the huge number of people involved and the need for thorough training, something Ms Adams said had been found wanting in Paris.
There were 45,000 Games volunteers plus 5300 from the City of Paris Volunteer Program who welcomed, directed and informed visitors.
The city of Paris was responsible for attracting its own volunteers, developing and delivering the training program and co-ordinating the volunteers.
Ms Adams said advertising, selecting and organising security checks and other accreditation for so many people would be a huge task that needed to start a long time ahead.
At Sydney’s 2000 Games and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games this happened more than a year in advance.
Paris had shown volunteers needed better training, particularly directing visitors, Ms Adams said.
The report also recommended creating a “volunteering legacy’’ after the event.
Another “key learning’’ was making sure signage was clear and easy to understand.
In Paris a colour coding system was used.
The report recommended creating a local legacy plan for the city, using the Games to drive improvements in transport, sustainability, inclusivity, sport and recreation and tourism.
Ms Adams said one thing Brisbane would be able to do better than Paris was accessibility because of the challenges of the French capital’s heritage buildings and narrow cobblestone streets.
Paris had used the Games to drive construction of four new Metro lines, seven new stations and extensions to Metro lines, while Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has called for an extension of council’s Metro as one of 18 transport legacies in his Race To Gold vision.
Another key learning listed in the report was the need for thorough planning of the torch relay route to minimise security disruption.
The host city was responsible for planning the route and selecting torch bearers, whom the report said should be used to promote Brisbane by telling their local stories and using them to showcase Brisbane.
One key learning was managing pedestrian flow. Paris showed that Games precincts, “live’’ sites and city activations played an important role in filtering large crowds.
The report even mentioned better bike parking as a key learning.
While not mentioned in the report, Ms Adams said Paris’ 24/7 economy was an important part of its Games experience with bars, clubs, restaurants and other venues packed at all hours.
She hoped Queen’s Wharf, which had 24-hour trading, would prove a catalyst for similar late trading in the inner-city, “flowing out like lava’’ as more venue operators extended their hours in the countdown to 2032.
Labor Council Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy dismissed the report as “not really anything new”.
“We have waited months for this report and it doesn’t give us any insight into how Brisbane will prepare for the 2032 Games,’’ he said.
“Brisbane is way behind the ball when it comes to transport, disability access and community facilities.
“It’s baffling that the Lord Mayor’s budget saw a $189,000 cut to Olympics-related work within council, yet they’re still funding overseas trips for a politician who isn’t even on the organising committee.
“The Opposition would much rather see that cash spent across our communities to improve infrastructure ahead of the Brisbane Olympics.’’
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