Gold Coast makes pitch to poach marquee Olympic events from Brisbane

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate wants his city to host Olympic swimming in 2032 – and his bid to wrest the marquee events from Brisbane has the backing of Australia’s richest person.

The full submission, which City of the Gold Coast council would not make public, was handed to the 100-day Olympic venue review team this week.

Tate said it included the suggestion that his city host swimming events at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and use existing hotel infrastructure instead of building a new athletes’ village on the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.Credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Speaking at the aquatic centre on Tuesday, he said organisers could save $5 billion by following the Gold Coast’s advice.

“We estimated the roof for here, and 10,000 seating, you’re looking at about $150 million,” he said.

“A temporary pool arena [in Brisbane], you’re looking at $2.5 billion. Do the sums.”

Tate said “unlike Brisbane”, his council would be willing to jointly fund permanent venues on the Coast and would go 50/50 in upgrading the aquatic centre.

“The roof will be similar fabric, or more technical fabric, to the Marina Mirage,” he said.

“So it would be lightweight, therefore you’re not spending a lot of money on foundations.”

Spending money on temporary venues should only be considered if there was “value in promoting iconic landmarks on the world stage”, Tate said, such as when beach volleyball was held beneath the Eiffel Tower at last year’s Paris Olympics.

Tate said funds spent on temporary pool foundations would be “absolutely lost” if swimming went ahead at the proposed Brisbane Arena, which has been slated for the north-west corner of the Roma Street Parklands.

Mayor Tom Tate says his council would be willing to jointly fund permanent venues on the Gold Coast.Credit: Paul Harris

Billionaire Gina Rinehart, a long-term patron of Swimming Australia, has backed Tate’s call.

“Mrs Rinehart has been known to publicly support the Mayor of the Gold Coast’s call for upgrading the Gold Coast pool venue that hosted the Commonwealth Games, which could then better service the swimmers for many years to come, rather than a temporary pool,” a spokesman for Rinehart said.

Tate said if the Gold Coast secured more sports than anticipated, his city’s ample hotel supply could house the additional athletes.

“We’ve got 40,000 room nights here, as well as another five five-star hotels – resort style – being built,” he said.

Gold Coast council has proposed moving rowing events from Lake Wyaralong (above) to Hinze Dam.Credit: Peter Bowring - Google Maps

“RACV Royal Pines is doubling its size, so you can take over the whole resort, and that’s just the start.”

The 2600-capacity Gold Coast athletes’ village at Robina was planned to provide 500 permanent post-Games dwellings for residents.

Also included in the Gold Coast’s submission to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority was a proposal to move rowing events from Lake Wyaralong in the Scenic Rim to Hinze Dam.

Tate said he would also back the Gold Coast Turf Club’s push to beat out Toowoomba and the RNA Showgrounds to host equestrian events.

Tate said the savings would enable Brisbane to “quite comfortably spend the money on a proper Olympic Stadium wherever they wish” – and he had an idea in mind.

“Let me throw a spanner into the works – look at Boondall,” he said, although a spokesman later clarified that the mayor misspoke and meant to say Doomben Racecourse.

“They can do a fresh track, you can have helicopter pads, Uber Air, and it’s got good transport infrastructure there.”

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