TRC waits for dust to settle on Olympics funding fight

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald says the ongoing dispute between the state government and the Brisbane City Council that threatens to derail the 2032 Olympic Games has put his council “on notice” over infrastructure upgrades.

Mayor Geoff McDonald said state and local governments need to work together in making sure there is consultation with local government and the community ahead of any decision on Olympics projects.. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald says the ongoing dispute between the state government and the Brisbane City Council that threatens to derail the 2032 Olympic Games has put his council “on notice” over infrastructure upgrades.

As the council waits to find out the results of a government report into the slated upgrade of the Toowoomba Sports Ground (TSG), trouble has erupted between Brisbane mayor Adrian Schrinner and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk over the planned $2.7bn Gabba rebuild.

Mr Schrinner, Mr McDonald’s colleague on the Council of Mayors Southeast Queensland (CoMSEQ), quit an Olympics intergovernmental forum last week while accusing the state government of “extortionate” actions.

The furore was over the state’s demand for contributions from the BCC and sporting bodies to pay for the $137m temporary upgrade of the RNA Showgrounds, which would host Brisbane Lions and first class cricket matches while the Gabba was unavailable.

While a future revamp of the TSG will be completely funded by a joint-partnership between the state and federal governments, Mr McDonald said the political stoush was a wake-up call for Toowoomba.

“They don’t have the budget to do this, and in his mind, nor should they, and I certainly respect his approach,” he said.

“The position made by the lord mayor and the subsequent feedback could have impacts on all of the Olympics.

“The state and local governments need to work together and we have put that forward in making sure there is consultation with local government and the community.

“What it does is put us on notice that we need to be upfront and certain of any potential impact may be about the upgrade of any infrastructure to do with the Olympics.”

Mr McDonald also backed his ability to work with the Queensland government in light of the dispute.

“It’s emphasised that consultation needs to be taken more seriously, rather than be assumed,” he said.

“The meetings I’ve had have been met with pretty favourable discussions, and clearly there’s a good understanding that our region is good for the state of Queensland, including that we’re an economic driver.”

A spokesman for the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning said the report into the TSG was “under way” but did not give an expected completion date.

“The report will provide advice around the anticipated scope, costs and risks, technical design inclusions, delivery planning, service need, social impact as well as delivery and operating models,” he said.

“Upgrades to the Toowoomba Sports Ground’s sporting and spectator facilities will ensure the site meets the needs of a growing community and continues to attract major events to the region, continuing to benefit the community long after 2032.

“Geotechnical investigations were completed across the site to inform the development of reference design options that will form part of the PVR.”

The spokesman said all stakeholders would be involved, including the council and neighbouring clubs which have expressed concerns for their future due to the upgrade.

Toowoomba is slated to get a 5000-seat stadium at this point, with 10,000 temporary seats to be installed for the Olympic Games.