Former Toowoomba councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan takes aim at loss of $80m stadium upgrade

A former councillor has taken aim at the “bizarre” debate that she believes killed a proposed $80m upgrade of the Toowoomba Sports Ground for the 2032 Olympic Games.

Megan O'Hara Sullivan has taken aim at the loss of the $80m upgrade of Toowoomba Sports Ground.

A recently retired Toowoomba councillor has slammed the loss of $80m to upgrade the city’s only stadium for the 2032 Olympic Games, calling the furore around it an “unholy row” that focused on the needs of “a small number of people”.

Megan O’Hara Sullivan, who last month finished as a councillor after two terms with the TRC, was one of the most vocal supporters of the now-scrapped plan for the Toowoomba Sports Ground.

The project had been included in the program of works for the 2032 Brisbane games, but was pulled by the government in March following a damning review of current venues by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

The decision leaves Toowoomba without any solid commitments that it will host Olympic events in eight years’ time, although the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland is still hoping to see movement on its planned Equestrian Centre of Excellence at the showgrounds.

Posting on social media, Ms O’Hara Sullivan said she was “still furious” about the situation the region now faced.

“I am still furious we have missed out on the potential $80m that was proposed for the upgrade of Toowoomba Sports Ground, as a possible Olympic legacy project for our region,” she said.

“We are missing out on major events because we do not have a centrally located stadium to host sporting matches, entertainment events, et cetera.”

Mr Quirk’s report concluded there was strong opposition to the project by local sporting clubs and neighbouring residents, with the review receiving as many submissions about the TSG upgrade as for the Gabba proposal in Brisbane.

Mr Quirk’s review also pointed to “differing views” within the council about the value and legacy benefits of the project, possibly referencing the fierce debate between councillors over whether the organisation should lodge a positive submission when the review in process.

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said the project became a game of “political football”, describing the ensuing debate over the submission as “bizarre”.

Clive Berghofer Stadium crowds are seen during the TFL grand final, Sunday, September 5, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“TRC was asked to assess the economic and social benefit to the region, should the upgrade occur,” she wrote.

“It was estimated the upgrade would inject more than $28m into the local economy annually, both during and after the 2032 Olympic Games and unlock commercial, tourism and public transport opportunities.

“An unholy row erupted. There were decisions made and soap boxes stood on for a small number of people, not what was best for the whole region.

“The review committee decided Toowoomba was too hard and recommended the money be spent elsewhere.”

Ms O’Hara Sullivan also drew comparisons between Toowoomba and Brisbane’s stadium situations, pointing to Mr Quirk’s recent comments that the city would need a new venue regardless of what the state government decided to do with the 2032 games.