Whitewater Olympic venue pits Redland against Logan
The battle between two neighbouring councils for the right to host an Olympic whitewater event in 2032 has ramped up a notch. CHECK OUT THE LIST OF PROPOSED VENUES
Logan
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The fight between two rival neighbouring councils over where to build an Olympic-standard whitewater sports precinct has stepped up a notch.
Logan and Redland city councils have both aired plans to build a water adventure park which could be used if Queensland won the right to host the 2032 Olympics.
Both have started feasibility studies into such a venture but only Redland is listed as a site for a new 8000-capacity canoe slalom venue in bid documents revealed last month.
Brisbane’s bid document listed the possibility of seven new venues being built but with the potential to cut that back to just two new venues.
A new 15,000-capacity Brisbane Indoor Sports Centre would be built to host basketball games and a 10,000-capacity gymnastics arena at Chandler Indoor Sports Centre.
The Brisbane bid document said the state already had 85 per cent of the venues.
There are no Logan venues in the 39 listed in the Brisbane bid document.
Redland City Council held a behind-closed-doors meeting on Thursday to discuss its plans to possibly build the canoe slalom venue if Brisbane won its bid.
The council is believed to have voted in favour of support the hosting of the Games and entering a Delivery Partner Guarantee Deed.
Expectations were that sites at Birkdale and Redland Bay were part of the Redland brief, along with basic logistic details including a broad outline of contractual stipulations from Olympics organisers.
Redand mayor Karen Williams said the council had agreed to the required contractual framework to be a Games venue.
Cr Williams said there was still a lot to work through but Redland was a major contender for a whitewater venue for Olympic canoe slalom events.
“Being a Games partner has the potential to deliver significant legacies for our community and today’s decision is an exciting step towards locking in the Games and the many benefits they will bring our city and region,” she said.
“Redland City Council is committed to delivering a water-based venue that creates a lasting community legacy, regardless of an Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Cr Williams said.
Redland councillor Paul Bishop said details of contracts had to remain confidential under guidelines stipulated by Olympics organisers.
However, he said he had advocated for any final decisions to be made after community consultation.
Redland council has asked for residents’ opinions on “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” to transform 62 hectares on Old Cleveland Road East, for a water park and adventure sports.
Other suggestions included using the site, which the council lists was 10-times the size of The Gabba, for walking and cycling trails, picnic areas, educational or heritage activities.
The Birkdale precinct will be open to the public for two days this month before any decision is made on whether it is a suitable site for an Olympics canoe slalom venue.
Today’s meeting followed a tussle with Logan for the right to stage the event and build the park.
Logan City Council fell short of saying it would work with Redland council on a joint venue.
However, it did say, after the Redland meeting, it would continue to work with the Queensland Government and South East Queensland Council of Mayors on the 2032 Olympic Games bid.
“A decision is yet to be made around any site as an Olympic whitewater facility,” Logan council said.
In February, Logan mayor Darren Power indicated that Logan would play a role providing infrastructure and accommodation.
“This could be an absolute game-changer for our city, our state and the nation,” Cr Power said.
“Council has invested significant time, effort and money into a positive outcome for our city.
“We have a long way to go but remain confident that Logan is on the Olympic map.
“When you consider the $3.3 million Doug Larsen Park world-class BMX freestyle facility at Beenleigh, our progressed plans for an Outdoor Adventure and Whitewater Park facility in Greenbank, and a specialist indoor sports venue linking rail and transport, we are well and truly in the box seat to play a key role in this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
Logan plans to build its outdoor adventure and whitewater park at Greenbank.
It would also include a specialist indoor sports venue with rail and transport links.
Planning for the Logan adventure park started in 2016 and a pre-feasibility study and business case have been completed with those studies shared with the 2032 Task force and Queensland Treasury.
BRISBANE VENUES
Athletics, Ceremonies – Brisbane Olympic Stadium (new, 50,000 capacity). (Alternative venues: Metricon Stadium, Gabba)
Swimming, Water Polo – Brisbane Arena (new, 15,000). (Alternative venue: Gold Coast Aquatic Centre)
Diving, Artistic Swimming, Water Polo – Brisbane Aquatic Centre (existing, 4,300).
Archery – South Bank Culture Forecourt (temporary, 4,000).
Basketball – Brisbane Indoor Sports Centre (new, 15,000).
3x3 Basketball – South Bank Piazza (existing, 4,500).
Track Cycling, BMX racing – Anna Meares Velodrome (existing, 5,000)
Freestyle BMX, Cross Country Equestrian – Victoria Park (temporary, 5,000/25,000)
Equestrian – Brisbane Showgrounds (existing, 15,000)
Football, Rugby Sevens – Suncorp Stadium (existing, 52,500)
Gymnastics – Chandler Indoor Sports Centre (new, 10,000)
Hockey – Ballymore (upgrade, 10,000). (Alternative venue: Gold Coast Hockey Centre)
Shooting – Brisbane International Shooting Centre (existing, 2,000)
Table Tennis, Fencing, taekwondo, Badminton – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (existing, 6,500)
Boxing – Nissan Arena (existing, 6,000)
Slalom Canoe – Redland Whitewater Centre (new, 8,000). (Alternative venue: Penrith Whitewater Stadium, NSW)
Handball – Brisbane Entertainment Centre (existing, 11,000)
Modern pentathlon – Ipswich Stadium (upgrade, 20,000)
Rowing, Sprint Canoe – Larapinta Flatwater Centre (new, 14,000). (Alternative venue: Sydney International Regatta Centre, NSW)
Sailing – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (existing, 10,000)
Tennis – Queensland Tennis Centre (existing, 6,000)
GOLD COAST VENUES
Beach Volleyball – Broadbeach Park Stadium (temporary, 12,000)
Golf – Royal Pines Resort (existing, 15,000)
Judo, Wrestling – Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre (existing, 7,500)
Triathlon, Marathon Swim – Broadwater Parklands (temporary 5,000)
Volleyball – Coomera Indoor Sports Centre (existing, 11,000)
Weightlifting – Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (existing, 6,000)
SUNSHINE COAST VENUES
Basketball (pool games) – Sunshine Coast Convention and Entertainment Centre (new, 6,000)
Road Cycling, Race Walking, Kiteboarding – Alexandra Headland (temporary, 5,000)
Mountain Biking – Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Park (existing, 10,000)
OTHER VENUES
Keelboat Sailing – Whitsunday Islands (existing, 2,000)
Football Preliminaries –
Ipswich Stadium (upgrade, 20,000)
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast (existing, 27,400)
Sunshine Coast Stadium (upgrade, 16,500)
Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba (upgrade, TBC)
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville (existing, 25,000)
Barlow Park, Cairns (upgrade, TBC)
Sydney Football Stadium (under construction, 45,000)
AAMI Park, Melbourne (existing, 30,050)
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