Sunshine Coast transport: Upgrades ‘vital’ for 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The rise of e-scooters in China and a new Prime Minister with a “fixation” on high-speed rail have been spruiked as key things to consider in the lead up to the 2032 Games.

From e-scooters to road upgrades and high-speed rail, experts have warned improving public transport was vital in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Business and tourism leaders met on the Sunshine Coast last week to discuss what the region needed in the lead up to the historic event – with transport identified as being key.

It comes as the state government looks unlikely to include funding for the long-awaited Maroochydore heavy rail connection in its 2022-23 budget.

However its $3.5bn investment in rail infrastructure would include $41.3m for the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said.

Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond and Urbis director Kate Meyrick said while speaking on the Sunshine Coast last week that the region needed viable transport links.

Margy Osmond is an Australian businesswoman and current Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism & Transport Forum. Picture Supplied

Speaking at a Sunshine Coast Business Council event, Ms Osmond said the changing habits of international travellers needed to be considered, such as the rise in e-scooters in China.

She said the region needed to plan for investment in roads, rail and potentially e-scooters.

“A company in China that makes e-scooters has had its share price go up over 350% in the past 12 months,” Ms Osmond said.

“Because of Covid the Chinese don’t want to get into closed vehicles, they’re for individual mobility devices.

“How ready are we to cope for an influx of Chinese whose behaviours have changed, and where are we going got get all these e-scooters from?

“These are the things to ask yourself about in terms of the changing tourist and the changing traveller.”

Ms Osmond said recent figures suggested an $8.1bn benefit for Queensland and $17.1bn for Australia.

She said a good public transport network was vital and something the International Olympic Committee considered before appointing a host city or region.

“From this Games perspective given the footprint (of South East Queensland) the public transport piece is vital,” she said.

“We now have a Prime Minister who is well known for his fixation on high-speed rail so I think this is the moment for everyone to think very constructively about that as an option.”

Ms Meyrick said businesses needed to consider changing travel habits and the growth in cultural and “green” tourism.

Renders of the future Maroochydore City Centre, where it is hoped a heavy rail line will connect Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast.

But she said any benefits would be lost if the region did not get public transport right.

“It doesn’t matter whether I’m talking about great walking, cycling, e scooting or public transport, we cannot move around the region without cars,” she said.

“We do not want the region to become so congested that its quality of life and ecological values are compromised.”

Sunshine Coast Business Council chair Sandy Zubrinich said hosting the Games was a massive coup for the region, but also a huge planning task.

“The Sunshine Coast has a lot to look forward to and much to plan for to ensure we are making the most of this opportunity to showcase our region to the rest of the world,” Ms Zubrinich said.

Urbis city planning expert Kate Meyrick spoke at a Sunshine Coast Business Council event about how businesses can cater to new travellers.

The state government was expected to deliver its 2022-23 budget on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson called for a commitment from the state government for the Beerwah to Maroochydore rail project.

The LNP had estimated it would cost $3.2bn, and included $1.6bn towards the project in its 2021-22 budget.

“It’s time for the state government to back rail and not block rail to the Coast’s city centre,” she said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the government was still completing a $6m planning study into extending heavy rail to Maroochydore.

The Sunshine Coast Daily launched the Train for the Games campaign, in support of Beerwah to Maroochydore heavy rail.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast transport: Upgrades ‘vital’ for 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games