‘We won’t miss out’: How MP plans to get piece of Olympic pie

As his government eyes the 2032 Olympics, Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders has big plans for the legacy the event will leave on the Fraser Coast.

As the State Government puts its best foot forward for Queensland to host the 2032 Olympics, regions like the Fraser Coast will be competing for the visitor spend.

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders says he already has plans to make sure the region doesn’t miss out.

Speaking to the Chronicle on Monday, Mr Saunders said “better facilities” were needed to get a region, with a proud history of producing Olympians, particularly Hockey stars, ready for the big games.

Mr Saunders is pushing for more developments like the Nikenbah Sports Precinct upgrade.

He wants to see local facilities upgraded so international teams have a perfect spot to acclimatise and train ahead of the games.

“In Maryborough, we're working with hockey and basketball … we‘ve had some good talks with our sporting organisations about the 2032 Olympics,” he said.

“We’ve got some wonderful sporting opportunities in our city, we have the same opportunity (in Maryborough for players) as what city clubs have, but there are two sports I’ll be pushing heavily (for development) basketball, because it’s a wonderful sport, and hockey.

“I mean, why would you want to go anywhere else but the Fraser Coast to get ready for the Olympics? It‘s got the right weather, we’ll have the sporting facilities, good people, and everything’s at your doorstep … I’m pushing to make sure that there’s money spent in regional Queensland to upgrade facilities.”

Mr Saunders is pushing for two sports in particular to thrive in Maryborough.

Following movement in October last year, providing $1 billion for train-building work in Maryborough, Mr Saunders is “hoping” more trains will also be needed to transport travellers if the 2032 Olympics is held in Queensland.

“If we get the Olympics and we get the visitors that people are projecting, we’re going to need more trains to put people on … It will have an instant flow-on effect to public transport,” he said.

“My understanding is that regional Queensland won’t miss out.”