2032 Olympic Games: What the Sunshine Coast needs to be ready for history making event

Experts from a range of fields have weighed in on what the Sunshine Coast needs to be ready for the history-making 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. See the list:

Experts have weighed in on what the Sunshine Coast needs to take advantage of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With billions of dollars in trade and tourism and thousands of jobs to flow from the historic event, discussions are heating up around how the region can earn the greatest benefit and create a lasting legacy.

The Sunshine Coast Daily’s Future Sunshine Coast event brought together tourism, demographic and development experts to kick off high-level conversations about the region’s future.

A rail connection from Maroochydore to Brisbane, five star hotel, convention and exhibition centre, more investment in youth and greater accessibility for all were identified as some of the key needs.

Rail

A rail connection from Brisbane to Maroochydore was identified as the crucial piece of infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast.

Airport chief executive Andrew Brodie said he believed “faster rail” was more likely to be delivered for the region than a “bullet train” to Brisbane.

“For this to be a true CBD it has to be connected,” he told a crowd of about 200 people at the Maroochy RSL.

He said the business and tourism community needed to lobby hard with state and federal politicians to have the rail connection delivered.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey told the Daily last month that heavy rail to Maroochydore was “absolutely viable”.

He said it would be discussed next year when governance for the Games was locked in between state and federal governments.

Convention centre

A convention and exhibition centre that could also host major sporting events has been identified as a crucial piece of infrastructure for the Games and beyond.

Land is set aside at the 53ha Maroochydore City Centre for the legacy project – hoped to attract major events for decades after the Olympics.

New designs for a multipurpose facility were released last month by Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien in the hope of securing investment.

Accessibility

Paralympic gold medallist Lakeisha Patterson at Future Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Improving access to sporting facilities, businesses and community facilities for people of all abilities was also identified as a key focus.

Paralympic swimmer Lakeisha Patterson said this would benefit not only people with disabilities, but also the elderly and parents pushing prams.

“It helps and benefits everyone,” she said.

“A lot of facilities have been upgraded in the past few years but there’s a long way to go to make sure all sporting facilities, areas and business are accessible.”

Investment in youth

Four time Olympic gold medallist Dawn Fraser pictured speaking at the Future Sunshine Coast lunch. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Olympic champion Dawn Fraser said the 2032 event provided a unique opportunity for the region’s young people.

She said it was important to encourage youth to be thinking now about what role they could play.

“Young people are already thinking ‘what can I do to get into the 2032 Olympic Games’,” she said.

Sisters, Triathletes and 2032 Olympic hopefuls Erin and Ella Wooldridge celebrate at Kings Beach as Brisbane is announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games. Picture Lachie Millard

“When I see young kids performing at surf carnivals, they’re thinking about the Games.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people thinking 10 years ahead, usually it’s two.”

Five-star hotel

Sunshine Coast Airport CEO Andrew Brodie said it had been 30 years since the region had a five-star hotel. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A gap in the Sunshine Coast’s tourism accommodation market that must be filled before 2032 is a five-star hotel, according to multiple experts.

Mr Brodie said it had been 30 years since the region’s last five-star hotel.

“We need great accommodation and we need a lot of it,” he said.

Demographer Simon Kuestenmacher said the “must haves” for the region were a five-star hotel and a convention centre.