Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Rosanna Natoli commits millions for local Olympic venues
Ahead of a major reveal of venues to go ahead for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Sunshine Coast Council has reaffirmed its commitment of millions of dollars to securing local infrastructure.
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As the state government prepares to unveil its blueprint for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues across south-east Queensland, the Sunshine Coast Mayor has committed millions of dollars to securing what she calls “legacy” infrastructure.
This comes as almost half of the Olympic venues proposed by Brisbane when it bid for the Games in 2021 – including the flagship new arena and upgraded Gabba – won’t feature in the final infrastructure blueprint handed down on Tuesday.
Of the 14 Brisbane sporting venues, six are expected to be changed or axed by Premier David Crisafulli when he hands down the final Games infrastructure plan at The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane lunch on Tuesday.
With six of Brisbane’s 14 venues thought to be at risk, the Gold and Sunshine coasts could be big winners.
Tenders for preliminary work on some minor Brisbane and Sunshine Coast venues were issued by the former Labor state government but no sod has been turned on any project.
Three Sunshine Coast sporting venues were given the green light to progress to tender in May last year following a funding commitment of almost $300m by the state and federal governments.
A $148 million Sunshine Coast Stadium expansion, a $142 million new Indoor Sports Centre in Kawana, and a $14 million Mountain Bike Centre at Parklands were on track to be delivered in 2027.
The Walker Corporation put forward a billion-dollar submission for a 7000-seat entertainment venue in Maroochydore with a five-star hotel and athlete’s village.
The Horizon Centre, which Walker Corporation would be paid through a commercial partnership, could house 1400 athletes and is promised to be “realised on time and on budget”.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said it was important to secure this 2032 Olympic infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast and its legacy.
“The whole reason behind the Sunshine Coast being involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games is about legacy,” she said.
“It’s about securing that public transport and those venues for the people of the Sunshine Coast in the lead up to 2032, during the games, and for generations beyond.
“It is about that infrastructure that the Sunshine Coast has missed out on for decades.
“It’s our turn.”
In regard to other proposed venues, for the Sunshine Coast Stadium expansion, $148m million has been earmarked by state and federal governments and included a $17m contribution from Sunshine Coast Council.
The council is still considering if it will contribute to enhance the Indoor Sports Centre to maximise its benefit as a community venue.
The council is responsible for the cost to acquire the land for the new Mountain Bike Centre at Parklands.
“The Sunshine Coast has been a co host city and a delivery partner … along with the Gold Coast and Brisbane. The three of us were initially in the bid and we have committed some millions of dollars as well as the land in some of these projects,” Ms Natoli said.
“Now we’re looking to the state and federal governments to help us deliver what we need for our communities which is the legacy.
“What has already been budgeted for example is that for our mountain bike event we have purchased land out there, we have also got a contribution to the outdoor stadium, and we have various land parcels.
“It has already been budgeted … we are not looking to increase that at all.”
Sports and business stalwart Ashley Robinson said he hoped to see the Sunshine Coast successful in tomorrow’s unveiling.
“There’s a high need for a new indoor stadium or centre,” Mr Robinson said.
“There’s a massive need for more netball and basketball courts on the Sunshine Coast … it’s one of the most popular sports in Australia … and all of the courts are booked out.
“I don’t really care where it is (Kawana or Maroochydore) as long as there is one.
“It would be great to see the football stadium up upgraded too. The Sunshine Coast deserves it.”
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said the Noosa Council was keen to support the delivery of the Games.
“There are likely to be opportunities for Noosa to support the pre-games training and development phase and we are undertaking readiness planning for this aspect,” he said.
He said the Noosa Council was also conducting a comprehensive review of the shire’s major sporting and cultural facilities.
“This will also consider how they can support the Olympics’ objectives,” he said.
The Noosa mayor said the council would look to leverage any available funding for both Olympics and long-lasting community outcomes.
The Walker Cooperation and Chair of Sunshine Coast Business Council Sandy Zubrinich have also been contacted for comment.
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