2032 Olympic Games: Councillors push to get Gold Coast a share in billions of dollars in infrastructure
Gold Coast councillors plan to force the rejoining of a body of southeast Queensland cities and regions to avoid the risk of missing out on billions in Olympics infrastructure.
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GOLD Coast councillors plan to force the rejoining of a body of southeast Queensland cities and regions to avoid the risk of missing out on billions in Olympics infrastructure.
Senior councillors are drafting a motion for the city to rejoin the powerful southeast Queensland Council of Mayors (COMSEQ), the Bulletin understands.
It is expected to be raised at full council in coming weeks.
Councillors say they fear the city will miss out on critically needed funding or having a say on the 2032 southeast Queensland Olympic Games, which the Coast will co-host. Since quitting COMSEQ, the Gold Coast did not get a crumb from a $1.8 billion southeast Queensland City Deal for infrastructure and does not have an elected representative on the Olympics organising committee. Its sole representative is city business titan Bec Frizelle.
The COMSEQ plan comes after Deputy Mayor Donna Gates led a delegation of councillors to Wednesday’s 2032 Olympics Legacy Forum in Brisbane - and after Cr Gates told the Bulletin’s Future Gold Coast Forum last year the city should rejoin.
City Planning boss councillor Cameron Caldwell said it was critical the city was involved.
“The Olympic Games is the ultimate team sport and SEQ needs a full strength side to kick the most goals for locals,” he said.
“The Legacy Forum has convinced me decisions are made by those who turn up and we need a seat at the table.”
“I’m fully supportive of any move that sees us working better with our neighbours but making the most of that opportunity requires a change in approach and attitude.”
A supermajority of councillors told the Bulletin in late 2022 they supported rejoining COMSEQ to help secure funding for key projects including light rail to the border urgently and a share of $2.1bn in funding for waste water upgrades, divided by COMSEQ members.
The Gold Coast has been in and out over the last decade.
The council first quit in 2013, arguing the then-$235,000 annual membership fee was better saved because “the Council of Mayors’ priorities are not necessarily the Gold Coast’s priorities at this moment”.
The Coast rejoined in April, 2020, as part of the 2032 Olympic Games bid. It quit again in June 2021.
Mayor Tom Tate then said he was confident he could secure key transport and Olympic legacy projects without the Council of Mayors.
A council insider last year said there was growing frustration with the lack of success the city had in advocating for funding.
Cr Gates did not return calls to the Bulletin on Wednesday but spoke in favour of rejoining COMSEQ at Future Gold Coast last year: “When we exited the Council of Mayors, it was a vote of council which was 14-1 in favour of leaving. It would be different (now) and it is something the mayor is open to raising.
“I would personally support being back as a member.”
Mr Tate has previously said he would support rejoining if colleagues pushed for it.
“If being a part of the Council of Mayors guarantees our city a slice of funding available for essential services like waste and recycling, I’ll sign back up tomorrow,” he said.
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