Brisbane 2032 Olympic public transport cloud risks ‘global embarrassment’
Critical public transport promised for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics is under threat after the Commonwealth gutted and delayed funding to a series of projects in an overhaul of its $120bn infrastructure pipeline.
Critical public transport promised for Brisbane’s 2032 Olympics is under threat after the commonwealth gutted and delayed funding for a series of projects in an overhaul of its $120bn infrastructure pipeline.
Federal funding has been axed for eight Queensland projects and doubt cast over another five, including the Sunshine Coast rail extension, which will be key in linking planned regional Olympic venues to Brisbane, and other transport infrastructure the booming region is crying out for.
Accelerated transport investment was the catalyst for Brisbane’s original Olympics proposal almost a decade ago, but Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said funding for the $3.2bn Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line was contingent on a near-complete business case.
While acknowledging it was “an important piece of infrastructure”, Ms King said there was no assurance or confidence in the costs of the project, which was already “billions of dollars higher than has been previously stated”.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, one of 10 regional mayors who initiated the Olympics bid, said better transport was to be the legacy of the Games and it would be “disastrous” if the rail project were axed.
“The Sunshine Coast is among the fastest-growing regions in the country, with people from Victoria and NSW moving here in droves – we desperately need more public transport,” he said. “If we have a world-class public transport system, these Games will always be remembered. If we have a dud system, they will never be forgotten.”
The Sunshine Coast is set to host the marathon, basketball and cycling events as part of the 2032 Games, and accommodate 1400 people at a “satellite” athletes village.
While the public has been repeatedly assured the running of the Games would be cost-neutral for taxpayers, there has been no dollar value placed on transport and other urban infrastructure that will be required outside sports venues.
Sunshine Coast-based MP Ted O’Brien, Scott Morrison’s former Olympics envoy, said Brisbane’s Games were at risk of being an “international embarrassment” if spectators are unable to travel easily between venues.
“It will make events like the marathon, starting at 6am, extremely difficult if the Bruce Highway is the primary means of transporting international visitors,” Mr O’Brien said.
“I mean, it is ridiculous. What time in the morning will they have to wake up to watch the marathon?”
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said any reduction in federal funding to road and rail projects in the state would have a “significant impact” on transport planning for the Games.
He would not guarantee the Sunshine Coast rail would go ahead without federal funding, saying the state government would have to look at “contingencies”.
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