Logan Mayor Pam Parker gives in principal support to the Brisbane 2028 Olympic Games bid

Logan Mayor Pam Parker gives in principal support of Brisbane’s 2028 Olympic Games bid, but only if economic modelling stands up and gives the region return for its investment.

sumbike SK210546 Round 3 of Brisbane South Mountain Bike Club Summer Series. Mens C Grade, Simon Myers

LOGAN Mayor Pam Parker has given “in principal’’ support for Brisbane’s 2028 Olympic bid, providing there is a return for the region’s investment.

Brisbane Mayor Graham Quirk will meet with fellow south east Queensland Mayors on Friday to discuss the proposal.

Cr Parker said she would need to see an economic modelling report and whether the region would receive value for money for its investment.

If the bid did proceed, former sports committee chairman councillor Phil Pidgeon (Div 9) said Logan’s infrastructure made it a prime location to host both equestrian and mountain biking events.

Cr Parker also believed Logan Metro could be a contender to host basketball.

“The tracks here are exceptional and are up there with some of the best so I think Logan would definitely be in with a chance,” Mr Pidgeon said.

“We have a huge population of horse riders here and Park Ridge Pony Club is one of the biggest clubs in Queensland.

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“There is certainly an opportunity there for athletes to train and to house athletes during the Games.

“It isn’t just about putting money into our economy but about being an inspiration to our younger kids.

“Meeting their heroes is the reason why a lot of kids take up sport so imagine what it could do for them.”

Logan currently has mountain bike tracks in Daisy Hill, Cornubia and Underwood while another is being planned for Yarrabilba and on the boundary of Ipswich and Logan.

The tracks have been touted as a training venue for Commonwealth Games athletes ahead of the Gold Coast Games in 2018.

Brisbane South Mountain Bike Club president Tony Hancock said a planned $150,000 upgrade to the Underwood track and an all-purpose track near Ipswich would see Logan become of the state’s biggest mountain biking regions.

“Underwood could easily become a condensed training facility because of how technical it is,” Hancock said.

“Cornubia has good elevation for elite riders and the new track we are proposing could cater for all disciplines of riding and would be the equivalent of the terrain in the ACT where they hold national races.

“The brilliant thing is it would not only help our economy for the Olympics but act as a huge tourist attraction by riders from around the world as well as locals who can use these public assets.”

Logan City Council Governance, Finance and Economic Development Committee Chairman

Councillor Luke Smith (Div 6) said Logan would embrace a major event of this calibre.

He said Olympics would be a major boost for the city in terms of investment, tourism and infrastructure.

“We are a proud sporting city and with the Commonwealth Games coming up it would be great to see some of the city’s high quality facilities put to good use ahead of a potential Olympic Games.

“With the success of the G20, the region has shown it is capable of hosting an international event of this scale and we applaud Brisbane and Councillor Graham Quirk for the collaborative approach he is taking on this issue.”