Toowoomba Olympic campaign: City leaders converge on major event as region counts down to 100-day review results

Local leaders, Olympic medallists and other stakeholders will be at the Toowoomba Equestrian Centre breakfast this week, which is a month before the city learns if its Olympic dream is real.

Toowoomba’s top political and business leaders converge in the same room this morning to plot the path forward for the region’s 2032 Olympic dream, as the days tick down on the final slate of venues for the Brisbane games.

Representatives from three tiers of government will be at The Chronicle’s Toowoomba Equestrian Centre breakfast on Tuesday morning at the showgrounds, which could become a world-standard equestrian centre if accepted by the upcoming 100-day review of Olympic venues.

The sold-out event hosted by Condamine MP and Speaker of the House Pat Weir will feature Darling Downs-born Olympic silver medallist Christopher Burton, who has thrown his support and influence behind the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (RASQ)’s masterplan for a $54m Toowoomba Equestrian Centre (TEC).

VERSAILLES, FRANCE - JULY 29: Silver medalist Christopher Burton with horse Shadow Man of Team Australia celebrate during a lap of honour after the medal ceremony for the Eventing Jumping Individual Final on day three of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Chateau de Versailles on July 29, 2024 in Versailles, France. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Other speakers include Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enteprise’s Olympic strategy and legacy project manager Mark Mason, RASQ chairman Shane Charles, talented young Toowoomba rider Ellie Stenzel and Equestrian Australia chair Christie Freeman.

The event comes a month before the Queensland government releases the findings of the 100-day review on March 25, with Premier David Crisafulli announcing the venues and infrastructure plan at The Courier-Mail’s Future Brisbane Special Event at Howard Smith Wharves.

Aerial view of the Toowoomba Showgrounds

The review will also settle the option for the Olympic stadium, with the choices likely narrowed between the Gabba redevelopment or a new asset at Victoria Park.

Dozens of submissions to the review have advocated for the TEC, including Treasurer and Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki.

The bid, which is Equestrian Australia’s preferred option to hold horse events in 2032, still faces stiff competition from the RNA Showgrounds and the Gold Coast Turf Club.

A draft of the review was given to the government last week by the seven-member panel, which includes renowned Australian executive Stephen Conry as chair.