Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald urges LNP to consider equestrian venue in 100-day 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games review

With the new LNP government reviewing every venue for the 2032 Olympics, Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald has urged the party to make good on a pre-election pledge around one site.

Toowoomba should be considered for greater contributions to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games as part of the new LNP government’s 100-day review, according to the region’s mayor.

Geoff McDonald has urged treasurer and Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki to make good on his pledged advocacy for the Garden City’s Olympic involvement in eight years’ time.

The LNP has already kickstarted its snap review of the games, with an existing funding agreement between the state and federal governments reportedly first on the chopping block.

With the main venue choice also in flux after premier David Crisafulli axed his predecessor Steven Miles’ QSAC proposal, Mr McDonald said now was the time for Toowoomba to be thrown into the mix for event hosting.

Aerial view of the Toowoomba Showgrounds

New treasurer David Janetzki, who did not respond to multiple attempts for comment, promised during the campaign he would advocate for the upcoming Equestrian Centre of Excellence at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

Mr McDonald said the project, which according to the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland is going ahead regardless of the Olympics, needed to be considered given the favourable elements of the proposal.

“For the showgrounds, this has been a project talked about long before the Olympics,” he said.

“If there are discussions around a Victoria Park stadium, which was knocked on the head prior to the election, that could open up the door for our region to host all of the equestrian events.

“The advocacy from the showgrounds and council joining them has been able to demonstrate that this is a genuine legacy project.

“It was not intended for the Olympics, but if that can be included that would be great.”

Mr McDonald said Toowoomba should be involved irrespective of securing Olympic events, pointing to the city’s capacity to host teams for training as well as fresh produce for the Olympic village.

“There is an opportunity for us to re-enforce the region’s (benefits) for 2032, and that’s not just around sport, it’s around supplying food and volunteering,” he said.

“It’s also to get locals out of Brisbane during that period who don’t want to be in town when all the tourists come.”

The concept still faces an uphill battle, with new state development minister Jarrod Bleijie insisting the 100-day review would have an open scope, but not consider new stadiums.