Brisbane Mayor’s warning over threat of taking 2032 Games events to other regions

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has warned there may be more than just financial implications if events for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were spread out to more regional cities.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says there would be cost implications if 2032 Games plans presented to the International Olympic Committee were deviated from to include more regional host cities.

Cr Schrinner yesterday echoed the warnings of experts close to the Victorian 2026 Commonwealth Games bid, which had its five host city plan quashed due to predicted cost blowouts.

“Let’s not make the mistakes they made” he said.

He said the city went to the IOC with a proposal, which involved staging most events in Brisbane.

He said while there could be benefits from diversifying locations, that needed careful planning to avoid cost overruns and problems with housing athletes.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner Photo Steve Pohlner

“If you don’t get the planning right, it can add significant cost,’’ he said.

“We saw that in Melbourne, we saw that in Victoria with their Commonwealth Games experience and the last thing I think anyone would want to see is for us to become like Victoria in any way.

“When you think about where sports are held, it’s not just about the venues themselves.

“You need appropriate hotel rooms and accommodation if you’re going to move sports around.”

The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority delivered its 100-day review report to the state government on March 8.

The state government yesterday refused to answer questions on if there was a desire to host more 2032 events in regional Queensland or if they were conducting polling asking about the results of the Games Delivery Plan.

A spokeswoman for the Crisafulli Government said the plan would be released on March 25 and would “finally put Queensland on the right track to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity”.

Originally published as Brisbane Mayor’s warning over threat of taking 2032 Games events to other regions