Moreton Bay Mayor says 100-day deadline leading to increased costs to critical sporting precinct

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery says the Premiers 100 day-deadline for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has led to cost increases for a critical sporting precinct.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery Picture: David Clark

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery says the Premier’s 100 day-deadline for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has led to cost increases for a critical sporting precinct.

Cr Flannery said Queensland Premier David Crisafulli 100 day-deadline for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has led to cost increases for the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre located in Mill Precinct in Petrie.

“We were about to go to contract to get the design done, that’s put on hold, the cost of that goes up even further, we would love to get on and get going with it to deliver it ASAP,” Cr Flannery said.

“These delays just add more costs and more pressures on having to deliver before the Olympics.”

Cr Flannery said the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre will provide long lasting benefits to our city, accommodating ongoing community and event use that will create a legacy that all residents can be proud of.

Cr Flannery has also called for major infrastructure projects such as the Bruce Highway Western Alternative and additional bridges at the Pine River Crossing to be included in the 2032 plans.

The new Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre will be a sustainable, modern facility that will cater to a range of indoor sports and community uses. Located at the Mill Precinct in Petrie. Picture: Queensland Government

Mayor Flannery said he looked forward to the final report being shared with Queenslanders later in the year, noting he would be disappointed if the commitment to critical connectivity and infrastructure did not remain a priority.

“I urge those reviewing our submission to prioritise key public transport and road projects in our City such as the Bruce Highway Western Alternative and additional bridges at the Pine River Crossing, and make good on previous commitments to enable additional connections and mobility across the South East,” Cr Flannery said.

“The Bruce Highway Pine Rivers crossing; it needs duplication there and the planning has been done. That is a huge bottleneck with about 160,000 vehicles a day travelling to Brisbane.

“But also the Bruce Highway Alternative which is another piece of infrastructure whenever growth is happening and also gets pressure off the Bruce Highway to move north south through the city of Moreton Bay.”

Cr Flannery said the City of Moreton Bay’s population is estimated to rise to a million people within 30 years and the upgrades will “alleviate gridlock” during the Brisbane 2032 games.

“By the time the Olympics comes around another 80,000 to 100,000 people will be living here. It’s important we try to get some of these major projects moving now, rather than later,” Cr Flannery said.

In September it was revealed that Moreton Bay is set to receive only $2.7 billion in major public infrastructure investment between 2021 and 2033.

Tabled in parliament on Monday show across South East Queensland Moreton Bay had the lowest average budgeted capital expenditure from 2021 to 21 to 2024 to 2025.

“Our biggest stumbling block is to try and get money commitments from the federal and state governments. And to get TMR to decide it is needed for the Olympics and not in another 30 to 40 years down the track, which is what’s on their current view.”

City of Moreton Bay Mayor has called for a serious look at long term transport infrastructure needs to meet the City’s growing population. Picture Supplied

Cr Flannery has also raised concerns about a number of critical projects that have been tied together that could lead to a delays in funding.

The Pine River upgrade has been included in the Gateway Motorway and Bracken Ridge upgrades with a total investment of $1bn.

“It can be to the detriment, because it flows that budget figure through the roof. It’s in the billions of dollars and when they do that it takes those projects longer to get funding,” Cr Flannery said.

This comes as Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding submissions to the Games independent infrastructure and Co-ordination Authority 100 day review of Games is focused on legacy opportunities for the Ipswich Community.

“The growth being experienced in southeast leading into and beyond the 2032 Games is extraordinary, particularly in areas such as Ipswich, making transport the most impactful legacy the Games could deliver for our region,” Mayor Harding said.

Queensland Major Contractors Association chief executive Andrew Chapman said the Games is the time to deliver a “lasting legacy of economic infrastructure.”

“That will help shape and guide the economic expansion of QLD for the next 20 years,” Mr Chapman said.

“The review is not only looking into the venues, but also into generational infrastructure to develop a plan that can be delivered through to 2032.”

Originally published as Moreton Bay Mayor says 100-day deadline leading to increased costs to critical sporting precinct