Brisbane 2032 Olympic review: Gold Coast snubbed as meeting cancelled last minute despite offering $5 billion in savings

The Gold Coast has been snubbed by the Olympic review committee despite offering $5 billion in savings by using the City’s Commonwealth Games facilities. See what was said

The Gold Coast has been snubbed by the Olympic review committee despite offering $5 billion in savings by using the City’s Commonwealth Games facilities.

The Bulletin can reveal the breakdown in communications with the review committee in the lead-up to State Cabinet assessing its recommendations.

It was revealed on Monday that the state government has been told by the review committee to scrap the $3.4bn Gabba stadium rebuild and build a new one at Victoria Park along with an $2.5bn Roma Street indoor venue for the 2032 Games.

State cabinet today is considering former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk’s review.

A key meeting involving the committee with Coast City leaders was supposed to happen last week but it was cancelled at the last minute.

An artists impression of the proposed Brisbane Arena. The new major event venue will be one of two Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics aquatic venues.

The review outcomes leaked to the media today show the Coast features in none of the recommendations, with the focus Brisbane-centric.

The Bulletin last week asked City CEO Tim Baker had their been any response from state development or the Minister Grace Grace, and whether council leaders met with Mr Quirk the previous Friday.

“We are yet to receive any correspondence related to our submission or the likely findings but strongly believe our submission, which would see up to $5 billion in savings to the taxpayer, must be closely considered,” Mr Baker said.

Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards Winners lunch at the Corporate Centre. Keynote speaker and Gold Coast City Council CEO Tim Baker keeps an eye on the coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

“It is clear to us – with the world-class infrastructure already in place on the Gold Coast – that we could offer more to the Games while avoiding the expense of building temporary facilities and undertaking costly renovations.

“It was disappointing that a meeting was cancelled by the review panel at short notice last week without explanation, meaning we have been unable to discuss our submission or the report in person and would be pleased to be offered this opportunity before the review is complete.”

A fired up Mayor Tom Tate talks about the Olympics review. Picture Glenn Hampson

A frustrated Mayor Tom Tate took things further, saying the state should take the review and “throw it in the bin”.

Mr Tate, who was re-elected for a record fourth term on Saturday, blasted the review and said

the city’s submission had been ignored in favour of a greater focus on Brisbane.

He said the Games were becoming too Brisbane-centric despite being pitched as a regional event.

“Look at the broader picture, they are being shortsighted” he said.

“All the money is going to be sunk into Brisbane, they are going to lose open green space in Brisbane but from Cairns to Coolangatta and Mount Isa to Mitchell, the regions of Queensland are being ignored.

“My advice to the Premier is to thank Graham (Quirk) and throw it right in the bin.

“Let the discussion happen at an Olympic board level.”

A spokesman from the Department of State Development and Infrastructure confirmed the recent meeting had been cancelled.

“The independent panel met with the City of Gold Coast mayor, chief executive and other council representatives on 12 February as part of its sport venue review,” he said.

“As part of detailed discussions regarding the City’s submission, the panel visited all proposed venues on the Gold Coast, including Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, Gold Coast Aquatics Centre, Carrara Stadium, Carrara Indoor Sports Centre and Robina Stadium.

“Short, final consultation meetings scheduled with Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast councils, to be held online on 8 March, were cancelled due to caretaker arrangements being in place ahead of the 16 March local government elections.

“The Gold Coast is an important Games Delivery Partner, and the review panel provided its recommendations after extensive consideration and consultation with a range of stakeholders.”

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