Bleijie tackles Olympic budget woes, promotes monster trucks

LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie revved up excitement for the Extreme Sports War on Wheels show at Sunshine Coast Stadium by driving a monster truck in the rain, while confidently addressing concerns over an Olympic venue budget blowout.

Rain wasn’t enough to deter LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie from promoting tomorrow’s monster truck show at Sunshine Coast Stadium, where he also expressed confidence in delivering key Olympic venues on time.

Mr Bleijie addressed concerns about budget blowouts for Sunshine Coast infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games during a press conference on Friday.

LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie at the Sunshine Coast Stadium. Photo: Andrew Hedgman

He revealed the costs for the region’s outdoor stadium upgrade and new indoor sports centre had blown out by about $180m.

He explained an independent authority would conduct a 100-day review to assess the venues and cost overruns, ensuring the Kawana community had the opportunity to voice their input.

“Not with the desire to change them but with the desire to bring them back in margin and make sure they happen on time and within budget,” he said.

“I’m very confident the Sunshine Coast is going to do very well with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie at the Sunshine Coast Stadium. Photo: Andrew Hedgman

Mr Bleijie also assured Sunshine Coast residents that, despite the review, the region’s facilities would be ready for the Olympics.

“In Sydney 2000, the best games in the world, they had less time than we do at the moment, so I’m very confident we’ve got the time,” he said.

“We’re going to have great games in 2032, everyone in Queensland will benefit from them, including the Sunshine Coast.”

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli expressed disappointment earlier this month over delays and escalating costs.

“These venues are long overdue,” Ms Natoli said.

“The Sunshine Coast community cannot miss out on what we have been promised.”

Ms Natoli said the Sunshine Coast Council had already invested ratepayer funds to progress the projects.

“We ask that the review of our venues is finalised quickly so our community is given the infrastructure they need and were promised,” she said.

LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie takes the wheel of a monster truck at Sunshine Coast Stadium, navigating the car park in the rain. Photo: Andrew Hedgman

Mr Bleijie took to the stadium car park in a monster truck himself after the press conference, adding excitement to a wet and windy Friday to help promote Extreme Sports War on Wheels at Sunshine Coast Stadium tomorrow night.

“Despite the weather, the show must go on,” said Mr Bleijie, who plans to attend the event with his family.

Now in its 22nd year, the monster truck show promises a night of adrenaline-pumping action, including wheel-standing mega trucks, freestyle FMX, and BMX backflip showdowns.

Veteran monster truck driver Clive Featherby assured families that younger kids, in particular, would be “thrilled” by the spectacle.

“Everything that kids and families love, we’re going to have here tomorrow night,” Mr Featherby said, noting weather conditions were expected to improve for the event.

LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie takes the wheel of a monster truck at Sunshine Coast Stadium, navigating the car park in the rain. Photo: Andrew Hedgman

The show also features a jet truck flame war, a jet pack aqua adventure, and a fireworks show.

The Extreme Sports War on Wheels show kicks off Saturday night at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Tickets are available online or at the gate.