Olympic Games infrastructure review: Gold Coast’s wishlist from 2032 event revamp
The Gold Coast’s sporting venues will be forward for revamps and expansions in a wide-ranging review of Olympic Games infrastructure. FIND OUT WHICH ONES
Council
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Mayor Tom Tate will put himself and the city’s sporting venues forward for a wide-ranging review of Olympic Games infrastructure.
The state government as launched a 60-day “value for money” review of Games infrastructure to determine whether the existing plan is the best use of taxpayers funds.
The review will be led by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and will look at a range of proposed venues, including the controversial $2.7bn Gabba redevelopment and temporary swimming centre. Mr Tate welcomed both the review and Mr Quirk’s appointment and has committed to submitting a detailed submission pitching a greater role for the city in the event it is co-hosting.
He put forward the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre hosting swimming, as well as an expansion of Carrara’s Heritage Bank Stadium.
“If they want to upgrade our aquatic centre and do the swimming there, we are happy to joint-fund because we see that as being a long-term benefit for the city and it makes sense to me to take it up to Olympic standard,” he said.
“We are looking to build a 16,000-seat multipurpose arena on the Gold Coast, The planning is well in advanced and they are welcome to analyse that and use it because we want to build that and attract a national basketball team here.
“If a national basketball team can play there, I think Olympic Games basketball can also be played there.”
The review is expected to look at whether the venues proposed so far are fit for purpose or will leave behind a proper legacy.
Premier Steven Miles on Thursday said he was concerned about the cost of the Gabba project.
“My preference is to find a better value-for-money outcome, that has always been my preference,” he said.
“Graham Quirk enjoys great community respect and oversaw the development of the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We’re going to deliver value-for-money Games venues which benefit Queenslanders long after the Games are over, and the review will help us to achieve that.”
The Gold Coast City Council has not got a seat on the Olympic organising board, despite providing eight venues for the event. It will also host an athlete’s village at Robina.
Business identity and Gold Coast Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle is the sole city representative.
When asked if he wanted to be on the board and more closely involved in the planning, Mr Tate said he was “happy to help”.
“My view hasn’t changed – The Gold Coast has the significant number of sports here in our city for the Olympic Games and Paralympics and my role is that I am really happy to help,” he said.
He also said the review could not have occurred under former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“There were lots of captains calls but now the captain’s not there, we’ve got a new captain and I welcome this review.”
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