Toowoomba businessman John Wagner, disability advocate Dr Sharon Boyce selected for Brisbane Olympics Legacy Committee

Two prominent Toowoomba voices have been selected for an exclusive Queensland committee to help shape the legacy of the Brisbane Olympic Games.

Dr Sharon Boyce; John Wagner.

Toowoomba will have two key voices on a major panel helping guide legacy infrastructure from the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

Powerful businessman John Wagner and disability advocate Dr Sharon Boyce will be part of the Queensland Government’s 12-member Legacy Committee.

The pair was selected from 400 applications for the committee, which will be chaired by Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe.

The body will focus on the years following the games in a decade’s time, to ensure the benefits from the world’s largest sporting event can be felt for years.

Mr Wagner, who has been a strong advocate for Toowoomba to get its fair share of events, infrastructure and economic activity from the games, said he was thrilled to have been selected.

“It’s early days, but I’m very humbled to have been chosen as one of the members of the committee,” he said.

“I want to make sure that regional Queensland gets its fair share.

“We have a responsibility to look at all options and take advantage of all opportunities post-2032.

“I’m very happy we’ve got representation there for Toowoomba and regional Queensland.”

Dr Boyce, who is an acclaimed and highly-awarded researcher and advocate, said it was vital both regional voices and people with disabilities were listened to as part of the Olympic experience.

“It’s highly valuable that the voice of disability is included to really link business and community and society together to make a difference for everybody,” she said.

“My research shows people with disabilities have been left out of conversations, when they could help make big decisions of government.

“That voice can make it stronger, we need to (look at) sport and how it breaks down barriers — there is so much potential for what is possible.”

Dr Boyce said she was interested to look at the technology and transport opportunities that could be delivered from the Olympics.

Mr Hinchliffe said the panel would have a direct impact on the future of Queensland after the games.

“The guidance and experience of every member of the Legacy Committee will have a direct bearing on the future of Queensland,” he said.

“Members will provide expertise and advice on legacy and seek the views of other Queenslanders on priorities for opportunities in their communities.

“In developing the Brisbane 2032 legacy plan, the committee will be looking for partnership opportunities and strategies to inspire community involvement.”

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio welcomed the pair’s inclusion, saying the Olympics should be an economic and societal boost for all of Queensland and not just Brisbane.

“I’m sure those people will work with a committee in regards to Toowoomba’s activity in the not-too-distant future,” he said.

“There’s so much potential for Toowoomba, Ipswich, Noosa and all over southeast Queensland.

“It’s going to be amazing — there’s never been a period of more opportunity.”