Julieanne Gilbert pushes for 2032 Olympic events in Mackay, Whitsundays

It is labelled as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics but that’s not stopping Julieanne Gilbert from wanting to snatch the Games from South-East Queensland.

Suggesting the Mackay and Whitsunday regions could host the entire Olympic Games is a bold claim to make, but Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert is proud of the region’s sporting facilities.

Ms Gilbert said some of the facilities within the boundaries of Mackay and Whitsunday were the best available in Queensland.

“Gymnastics in Mackay has already put pen to paper and got their plans drawn up and they’re looking at how they can bring their facilities to standard,” she said.

Supplied artist impression of the proposed Gabba redevelopment for the 2032 Summer Olympic Games

“We have the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex, Olympic swimming pools, Olympic standard running tracks.

“Mackay’s got a great opportunity to attract these national teams, they’ll need facilities to bed down and start training.

“We could take the whole Olympic Games.”

The Queensland economy is expected to receive a massive boost in the lead-up, and the duration, of the games in 2032.

The Mackay Athletics and Recreation Centre could host Olympic swimming and athletic events. Picture: Tara Miko

Ms Gilbert said the benefits of the Olympics would be received for 20 years.

“It’s a two-decade long run of economic benefit Queensland will experience, 10 years leading up to the Olympics where infrastructure will be built and jobs will be available,” she said.

“As well as the 10 years after the Olympics, where the state will be at the front of everyone’s minds when it comes to tourism.

“We are ready to be in the mix of the expected $8.1 billion in national trade and investment expected in Australia to be generated by the games.

Supplied artist impression of the proposed Gabba redevelopment for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games

“All Queenslanders want to be included and compete for the economic opportunities that the games will bring.”

Julieanne Gilbert wants the Whitsundays to be used for sailing in the 2032 Olympic Games. Photo: Leandra Mollica

Ms Gilbert said she had been speaking to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk about Mackay’s infrastructure improvements.

“Every time I speak with individual clubs about their facilities, I send it through to the Premier’s office, I want the Mackay projects to be known so that the ministers have us in the front of mind,” she said.

“It’s Queensland’s Olympics, not just Brisbane’s, we’ve got great facilities in Mackay like Harrup Park where shovels are in the ground, and our athletics centre is at an Olympic level.”

The chance to host events is not exclusive to Mackay, with the Whitsunday beaches a prime location for water-based sports.

“I sincerely hope that we will see sailing in the Whitsundays, not just training but Olympic races,” Ms Gilbert.

“We could have parasailing as well, the Mackay region is ready to go.”