RNA fights back as Toowoomba makes bid to host Olympic sport
The RNA Showgrounds has launched its bid to prevent Toowoomba claiming hosting rights for Olympic equestrian events in 2032, after the Darling Downs city formally sought an upgrade of its own showgrounds.
Toowoomba Regional Council handed in its submission to the Games Independent Infrastructure Co-ordination Authority’s 100-day review into Olympic infrastructure last week.
In it, the council urges GIICA to look favourably upon the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland’s proposed Olympic and Paralympic-standard Toowoomba Equestrian Centre at its showgrounds.
The RNA Showgrounds at Bowen Hills are, for now at least, nominated to host Olympic equestrian in 2032.Credit: Morgan Roberts
“The Toowoomba Region has been involved in the bid for Brisbane 2032 since it was a concept of the Council of Mayors for South East Queensland,” Mayor Geoff McDonald writes in the council’s submission.
“As a region, we understand the global exposure south-east Queensland will gain as the host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the lasting and sustainable legacy that will come from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“However, our Toowoomba Region is not currently hosting any events in Brisbane 2032.”
Toowoomba was originally slated to host Olympic football at the Clive Berghofer Stadium, but that was scrapped at the urging of the Quirk review in March.
McDonald said he wanted all Queenslanders to get behind Toowoomba’s bid to wrest equestrian from the capital.
“This is a project that was on the table long before the Olympics were announced for south-east Queensland and ticks all the boxes of GIICA’s 100-day review,” he said.
Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald signing off on his council’s submission to GIICA’s 100-day review.Credit: Toowoomba Regional Council
“Most notably, the project delivers on benefits for regional Queensland from the delivery of the Games as well as the all-important legacy element. This is a project that will benefit Queenslanders for the next 50 years.”
The council’s submission describes the Toowoomba region as “Queensland’s equine hub” and the centre of the sport in the state.
“Unfortunately, the current proposed equestrian facility shared between the Brisbane [RNA] Showgrounds and a temporary equestrian course at Victoria Park/Barrambin will only provide a temporary facility for the Games, with no ongoing use for world-class events,” McDonald wrote in the submission.
But RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said his organisation had also lodged a submission to GIICA and would not give up equestrian hosting rights without a fight.
“The government announced the nominated Olympic venues three years ago,” he said.
“Brisbane hosting the Games is an exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Queensland on the world stage and the RNA is delighted to be the nominated venue for equestrian.”
The RNA inadvertently found itself in the middle of the biggest political Olympic blow-up since Brisbane was awarded the Games, when Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner quit the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games intergovernmental leaders’ forum.
The resignation was in protest of the state government’s unilateral decision to upgrade the showgrounds to host cricket and AFL while the Gabba was being rebuilt, at a potential eight-figure bill for ratepayers.