21 ways the Gympie region can benefit from the 2032 Olympics

With Brisbane the heart of the action and the Sunshine Coast an integral part of the Olympics and Paralympics plan, the possibilities and potential for its close neighbour - the Gympie region - are endless.

Cheering could be heard around Australia on Wednesday night, as the news broke Brisbane would host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Sunshine Coast will play an integral role in Brisbane 2032, and be home to four key venues and several sporting events during the Olympic Games, including football, basketball, marathon, mountain biking, cycling and kiteboarding.

It will also host multiple days of road-based events (marathon and road cycling) during the 2032 Paralympic Games, and all of this means its close neighbour - the Gympie region - will be close to the action and getting plenty of attention as well.

Gympie councillor Bruce Devereaux said on Thursday he was excited about what it could mean for the Gympie region.

“We are on the edge of what they term The Great South East and that is our big advantage - they won’t be building any great bits of infrastructure which ratepayers would then need to upkeep through increased rates but we’re in a very good position for teams to train in or even adventure to,” he said.

“We have a little over a decade to prepare for this influx of athletes and their support teams, media and spectators. I can’t wait for the Mayor and councillors to start nutting this out with council staff to see what we can etch out of this potential bonanza for locals.”

Here is a list of just some of the possibilities:

1. Private investments

There would be potential for private investment in things like motels, a private hospital and/or specialists, themed attractions, eateries, RV parks, Xtreme adventure parks or activities.

2. Road network improvements

A desire to put ‘our best foot forward’ from a state and federal standpoint could mean improvements to Gympie’s road networks beyond what the government has planned.

3. Increased use of sporting facilities

An influx of teams looking for a base to train at ahead of the Games would mean more demand for sporting infrastructure.

Areas like Tin Can Bay and Cooloola Cove have fields that could be tidied up, and because they are not currently used they would be available without interrupting local sporting calendars.

Mary Valley Country is another beautiful spot which could also be promoted.

Kilkivan has the equestrian centre and Gympie has a range of great facilities for hockey, tennis and shooting.

Teams using these areas would need accommodation, to be fed, entertainment and probably physiotherapists, doctors, medication and equipment, all money which could be spent locally.

Albert Park, the home to many sports in Gympie. - Picture: Shane Zahner

4. Social media marketing

Marketing of the Gympie region in athletes and their support teams’ hometowns on social media would also be an advantage. The announcement of the Olympics in Brisbane alone was estimated at $170 million worth of worldwide marketing for Brisbane and Australia

5. Grants for sporting facility upgrades

Grants for sporting facility upgrades is a potential outcome, not only because of the sudden need for international standard facilities for teams to train in, but because the government would be looking for ways to drive the economy in recovery after Covid.

Even without grants, the opportunity to attract foreign teams and the years of money and marketing which will come with any success in that area might be the emphasis the Gympie Regional Council needs to prioritise some long requested new sporting infrastructure, like an indoor sports centre.

6. Boost in accommodation

Local accommodation in the region is likely to be already benefiting from workers on the Gympie Bypass.

Following the completion of the Bypass, the works being done on the Sunshine Coast for the Games will help those businesses because accommodation south of Gympie will be at even more of a premium than here in Gympie, and because people are staying in the area other businesses such as cafes and mechanics will have increased demand.

7. Increase in the rental market

The rental market might receive a boost for the same reason. The need for additional rental accommodation is high. The impending Games might be the impetus some mum and dad investors need to take the leap. And when the teams go we’ll have more properties available for local families.

8. Increased employment opportunities

All of the above means employment opportunities for locals, whether it’s a teenager fresh out of school looking for a trade, or a university student wanting some part-time hours amid classes, or businesses putting on staff.

Gympie Woolworths supermarket at Gympie Central Shopping Centre.

9. Upgrades to iconic historic locations

The potential for the upgrade of some iconic history in the area to a tourism standard, like the Chimney at Kilkivan, the Double Island Point Lighthouse or Elgin Vale Sawmill, might motivate people to travel the distance to see them.

10. Tourism companies

Tourism companies with tours of Gympie region’s points of interest, whether it’s 4WD tours on the coast or walking tours through our national forests or bus tours between towns, would also attract tourists to the region.

11. Inspiring local sports people

With the Olympics literally just down the road it would be an opportunity for local sportspeople to be inspired to really go for it.

Depending on the sport, the competitors for Australia might be 50 years old or five.

What a suddenly realistically attainable prize to keep an eye on and aim for!

Gympie hosted the 2021 Under 13 Girls State hockey championships at the Southside fields. Pictures: Josh Preston

12. Potential business boom

When people travel to another country for a holiday they like to look around, usually at the tourist hot spots.

When people travel to another country for a length of time they tend to venture to the less well known areas and attractions.

Even those teams in Brisbane would be wanting to get out of the city occasionally and Gympie is only two hours north on a four lane highway with no lights or hassles.

This could be the ideal time for Gympie farmers to do up a shed or pig pen into a Bed and Breakfast for some extra cash and offer those city dwellers a true taste of quietly exciting farm life.

And once it’s done, it’s potentially additional income for ever.

13. Increased marketing for events

Gympie’s local events and festivals would have an opportunity to be marketed internationally for free, such as the Muster, Heart of Gold and Goomeri Pumpkin Festival.

With gentle nudging, Gympie could see a couple of record years in attendance.

If Gympie got behind it and pushed, those record numbers could also continue beyond 2032.

14. Increased media marketing

Beyond the athletes and their teams, the media from more than 200 nations would be out and about looking for stories to broadcast back home.

Gympie only needs to tap into that and every cent spent would be returned two-fold.

It is also free usually paid for media marketing in the world’s most well-heeled media outlets.

15. Visitors immersed in Indigenous culture

One thing international visitors, and more than a few locals, enjoy experiencing is Indigenous culture.

Gympie has an opportunity to help the Gubbi Gubbi, Wakawaka, and Butchulla peoples to showcase their culture to the world.

It might even help kick start adding local indigenous names to areas – about the simplest and cost effective no-brainer ‘apology’ action a region can do.

16. Exposure of businesses on Mary St

Teams, media, and onlookers flooding the south east might be the kick Mary Street needs to reframe and revitalise itself as the Gympie business community sees opportunities ahead.

17. Exposure of environmental issues

A key component the Olympic Committee was looking at involving the environment, so this could be a sort of kickboard local environmental groups could use to highlight and cement key protections.

Certainly the state would be wanting to show the Olympic Committee it has ticked that box.

Again, a tourism opportunity if done correctly.

18. Potential location for training of future athletes

Long after the 2032 Olympics, if done correctly, we can have this region positioned to accommodate teams from school level to national for pre-season training.

A place with space and clean air, good, healthy food and farm to plate options, discretion (Rainbow Beach nails this – just ask Thor) and international standard sporting infrastructure: not to be confused with ridiculously expensive infrastructure.

20. Business opportunities

The tastiest aspect of multiculturalism is the chance for new and exciting tastebud adventures to enter Gympie region residents’ diets.

With more than 200 countries, who knows what eateries will spring up in the region.

Hopefully ,something with pho.

21. Potential for increased services at Gympie North train station

The Olympics could be the impetus required to press Queensland Rail to provide additional services to Gympie North station.