Brisbane Olympics Games 2032: How event will reshape Maroochydore

Accommodation for 1300 people, new and upgraded sporting facilities and transport upgrades are on the cards for the Sunshine Coast as Queensland prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A screenshot shows the proposed satellite village in the Maroochydore city centre.

Major residential and unit development would be built at an emerging hub in Maroochydore as the region prepares to play a key role in Queensland’s hosting of the 2032 Olympic Games.

The event is expected to be a game-changer for the Sunshine Coast, particularly Maroochydore which is expected to host events and accommodate athletes and coaches.

The confirmation may have only come last week but for years politicians have dreamt up what hosting the Olympics would mean for infrastructure development.

The Maroochydore City Centre – being developed by Walker Corporation – has been slated for the development of a Satellite Village for athletes, families and staff.

It would require 1374 beds and include a mix of residential housing and commercial facilities.

FUTURE: Renders of the future city centre.

Walker Corporation project director Murray McCarthy said it provided an opportunity to “truly activate” development at the former Horton Park Golf Course.

The athletes village could also include a media centre, accommodation for support crew and family of athletes and arena or convention style venues.

The village would also have open spaces, common areas and facilities for athletes.

“We are excited about the opportunity to work with council to truly activate the Maroochydore City Centre and provide connectivity with the Sunshine Coast Airport and Brisbane, so athletes, fans and officials can move fast and freely between the two CBDs,” Mr McCarthy said.

He said there was an opportunity to capitalise on the event by investing in fast rail from Brisbane to Maroochydore and improve public transport across the Sunshine Coast.

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson said the event would be a catalyst for infrastructure upgrades and new transport links.

Ms Simpson called for the development of the Sunshine Coast Arts, Convention and Exhibition Centre and heavy rail to connect Maroochydore to Brisbane.

She said the centre could host preliminary basketball games.

Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson speaks during Question Time at Parliament House. Picture: Dan Peled

“I see the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a golden ticket to showcase the area as well as leaving behind the legacy of a prized facility for Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast,” she said.

The suburb is already growing rapidly with an estimated increase of 2.74 per cent to June 30, 2020 to 18,855.

It grew at a higher rate than greater Brisbane’s population which increased by 1.87 per cent.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the games would change the way people move between South East Queensland.

Mr Jamieson was among the key players of the South East Queensland council of mayors to push for the regional bid for the 2032 event.

“I have no doubt if it were not for the council of mayors we would not be standing here today,” he said.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said Sunshine Coast Council's debt would reduce by more than $400m in 2022 after Palisade Investment Partners makes its final payment for the airport runway project.

“We will built a wonderful legacy and hopefully that is the movement of people all over South East Queensland … domestically people will utilise the transportation network in ways we never thought were possible before.”

Mr Jamieson said the region had the longest preparation for any Olympic city with 11 years to prepare.

He said in comparison Sydney had six.

The Sunshine Coast is also expected to host cycling, athletics and sailing at Alexandra Headland, cycling at the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre and football at the Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The stadium would require an upgrade to reach a capacity of 20,000.

Originally published as Brisbane Olympics Games 2032: How event will reshape Maroochydore