Brisbane 2032 Olympics boss’ bold vision met with mixed reaction from Cairns Mayor, Advance Cairns

Encouragement to “go big” on infrastructure by the boss of the Olympics while in Cairns has been met with mixed reactions from the city’s leaders.

Moves are afoot to transform the tourism city into a sporting powerhouse.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games board could have chosen any destination for its first meeting post-Paris; it landed in Cairns.

It comes after the state government brought its total spend for the Barlow Park upgrade to $91m, increasing the stadium’s capacity and boosting lighting.

Four huge new flood light towers are currently being erected at Barlow Park to bring the lighting on the field up to broadcast quality, at a cost of $7 million. Picture: Brendan Radke

Then, earlier this month the North Queensland Cowboys outlined its vision to turn Cairns into the home of NRLW in the north by 2027, with plans to build a multimillion-dollar high performance centre for their women’s team at Barlow Park.

On Thursday, Brisbane 2032 president Andrew Liveris visited Barlow Park and while he fell short of endorsing a new stadium for the city, outlined his board’s role in advocating for regional infrastructure.

Fundamentally, Mr Liveris called on the city’s leaders to adopt the French “go big” mantra insisting he would “love nothing more than to help the economy of Far North Queensland”.

“That is one of the reason you attract the Olympics – the economic benefits – in this case, in this city, tourism; how do I get more international tourists here, knowing the facilities are here, the hotels, restaurants, the tourist facilities … to make it a lasting benefit,” Mr Liveris said as he departed Barlow Park for the Skyrail to review the operation.

Given an opportunity to discuss Mr Liveris’ suggestion a bigger stadium in Cairns would mean the city could have greater hosting opportunities at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Mayor Amy Eden kept her powder dry.

President of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Dr Andrew Liveris, Cairns Mayor Amy Eden and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic chairwoman Alison Creagh stand on the field at Barlow Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I had an incredibly productive and inspiring meeting with the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee President and CEO where I advocated for Cairns to feature prominently in the lead-up and running of the 2032 Games,” she said.

“We have a clear plan in place for the $91m upgrade of Barlow Park, but of course we would always welcome more investment from State and Federal Governments to further expand on that upgrade program.”
Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan welcomed Mr Liveris’ comments, noting the opportunities that lay beyond sport.

“Think about what it did for Paris, it really re-energised everyone’s understanding of that being a centre of innovation,” Ms Reddan said.

Advance Cairns Chief Executive Jacinta Reddan. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We will have an outstanding opportunity to leverage the global spotlight that will be on our region, with our global green credentials, to attract billions of dollars for sustainable investment products.

“There are billions of dollars available around the world with corporations, who are looking for sustainable products to invest in, and our region with tourism, with the reef and our environment already has that reputation.”
Ms Reddan said investment didn’t necessarily mean “more wind farms” but a multitude of new-age products including sustainable fuels which would tie in with existing biomass industries.

Originally published as Brisbane 2032 Olympics boss’ bold vision met with mixed reaction from Cairns Mayor, Advance Cairns