Toowoomba council votes to make submission to Graham Quirk’s 60-day Olympic Games review after controversial vote

Toowoomba has taken another step towards a reported $80m upgrade of Clive Berghofer Stadium for the 2032 Olympic Games, after the council narrowly voted to endorse a submission to a 60-day review of venues.

Clive Berghofer Stadium crowds are seen during the TFL grand final, Sunday, September 5, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Garden City's dream of hosting Olympic events in 2032 is still alive after a contentious council vote to offer a positive submission around a reported $80m upgrade of the Toowoomba Sports Ground.

Councillors voted 5-3 at Tuesday’s meeting to endorse a submission authored by council’s parks and recreation manager Sally Egan towards a snap 60-day review of Olympic venues chaired by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

But the meeting was not without controversy amid a fierce debate, with one councillor declaring the submission a one-sided “lie” that did not highlight the various problems with upgrading a small stadium in the suburban area of East Toowoomba.

Looking to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics are (from left) Sharna O'Neil and Emmy Reimann of Toowoomba Mountaineers, Amelie Taylor of Allstar Gymnastics and Lekaysha Woodbridge of Smithy's TGW Gym at Clive Berghofer Stadium. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms Egan’s document, which argued a 15,000-seat stadium could deliver up to $28m in economic benefits to the region every year both during and after the Olympics, needed to be submitted to Mr Quirk’s review by Wednesday.

It was understood the council failing to provide a positive submission, which related to the legacy benefits of such an upgrade to the stadium, could see Toowoomba miss out on Olympic infrastructure.

The submission also includes support for a plan to turn the Toowoomba Showgrounds into an equestrian centre of excellence, which is included in Mr Quirk’s review.

However, the stadium upgrade has been heavily opposed by neighbouring local sporting clubs, which argued any relocation would signal their demise.

Councillor Carol Taylor at Toowoomba Regional Council special meeting to select a new mayor, Friday, July 21, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Motion mover councillor Carol Taylor said the decision on whether to upgrade the stadium would be up to the state government, while pointing to the various ways it could boost the city’s reputation.

“Going forward, those games are important for our youth to help them aspire to play at that high level,” she said.

“This is not our ground and we’re not being asked about anything to do with the upgrade — all we’re being asked is to provide a submission.

“I don’t think it’s difficult to understand that if this becomes too difficult, they’ll just take it somewhere else.”

The motion was supported by acting chair Tim McMahon as well as Kerry Shine, Edwina Farquhar and Megan O’Hara Sullivan, the latter of whom pointed to the 2003 upgrade of Suncorp Stadium in Milton for inspiration.

“To my mind, we’ve been asked to do something which will bring about our future,” she said.

“I think about the people living around Milton, they were probably not able to picture living near Suncorp but there they are — let’s aspire to something to great and for the future of our city.”

Councillor Nancy Sommerfield at a special meeting of Toowoomba Regional Council to endorse new deputy mayor, Friday, July 28, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

But councillor Nancy Sommerfield savaged the submission, arguing that the creations of legacies flowed both ways.

“Everybody around the room would agree we want the games, it just shouldn’t be at this facility,” she said.

“Legacy isn’t only about the positives, it’s also about the negatives.

“That three historical clubs are going to be lost forever needs to be noted — you can’t put your rose-coloured glasses on (for that).

“(This submission) is a lie, it does not include the whole story, it’s misleading — those are strong words, but I fully support them.”

Councillors Bill Cahill and Melissa Taylor also voted against the submission, with the former rubbishing the document’s assertion an upgrade would create new public transport opportunities.

“Don’t compare us to stadiums in Brisbane where they have a comprehensive public transport network,” Mr Cahill said.

“We drive cars here because we don’t have a (proper) public transport system.”

Mayor Geoff McDonald, deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff and councillor James O’Shea were all absent due to perceived conflicts of interest.

The submission will now form part of Mr Quirk’s recommendations, to be delivered to infrastructure minister Grace Grace by March 18.

Originally published as Toowoomba council votes to make submission to Graham Quirk’s 60-day Olympic Games review after controversial vote