Brisbane Olympics 2032: Toowoomba unites to back RASQ’s Equestrian Centre for Qld government’s 100-day review
The city that has produced equestrian Olympic medallists like Christopher Burton has united behind a push to host all horse events at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Toowoomba
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Toowoomba’s political, community and economic leaders are rallying behind a planned equestrian centre of excellence as the last chance for the city to be involved in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics in a direct way.
The Garden City’s dream of hosting equestrian events at the 2032 Olympics will hinge entirely on the outcomes of the new LNP government’s 100-day review, which is now open to all venue options for every sport.
The Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland is currently pulling together its submission for the review, which must be lodged by January 10.
If successful, the venue would attract major events to Toowoomba to support the development of local young athletes to follow in the footsteps of Paris 2024 silver medallist Christopher Burton.
The Toowoomba Equestrian Centre inclusion currently has the support of Toowoomba representatives from all three levels of government, including the Toowoomba Regional Council, treasurer and Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki, his colleagues Trevor Watts and Pat Weir, and Groom MP Garth Hamilton.
The TEC is also backed by major local and state bodies like Queensland Country Tourism, the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise and Equestrian Queensland.
It marks a major boost to the city’s games chances after the debacle that was the potential upgrade of Clive Berghofer Stadium, which was killed following the previous review led by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
The RASQ’s new submission, which needs to be finalised by an independent third-party consultant, would see the project given an “Olympic overlay” to allow it to host all equestrian events, athletes and personnel at the Glenvale site.
RASQ chief executive Damon Phillips said the equestrian centre not only met the Olympic criteria around legacy infrastructure but would be the only logical choice if the Victoria Park stadium concept was favoured by the state government.
“We’ve been invited to review our business case and put an Olympic overlay into the 100-day review, so we’ve just finalised our scope of works for that,” he said.
“Our original planning was the Toowoomba Equestrian Centre and it was heavily focused on legacy and attracting national and international events while also providing infrastructure for local groups.
“None of (the Olympic-level infrastructure) was included, so we’ll be working closely with Equestrian Australia to find out what else is needed and what that’s going to cost.
“This is the only chance to directly host the Olympics — this one stacks up on all fronts.”
Toowoomba Regional Council on Tuesday unanimously endorsed writing its own submission supporting the TEC to the Olympic review, with mayor Geoff McDonald calling it an “enormous opportunity”.
“The proposed TEC will deliver the region a world-class equestrian facility that broadens its capability to provide equestrian events at the state, national, and international levels,” he said.
“It will also be a viable option to deliver equestrian sports for the 2032 Games.
“Further, the TEC will provide athlete pathways, rider education, and social and commercial opportunities to benefit the region for generations.”
Mr McDonald and TSBE’s Olympic Strategy and Legacy project manager Mark Mason recently met with new Sports Minister Tim Mander to discuss the TEC.
Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said he was also backing the project, arguing it would be a “game-changer”.
“The Toowoomba Equestrian Centre of Excellence would be a game-changer for our region, driving tourism opportunities and leaving a lasting legacy well beyond Brisbane 2032,” he said.
Mr Hamilton also pledged his support for the TEC as part of a broader push to get more Olympic-ready infrastructure in Toowoomba.
“It’s a great suggestion that fits well with our area — it’s going to need all of us behind it and we have a small window to get this right,” he said.
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