The State and Federal Government’s botched approach to Olympic infrastructure is now under review.
The Prime Minister and Premier have finally relented, with the announcement of a review into Olympic infrastructure planning.
Adopting the approach recommended previously by a Senate Inquiry, the Queensland Government will implement an independent oversight body after repeated calls from the Coalition which the Albanese Government dismissed as “political-point scoring.”
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton, who has been calling for consultation with the community and questioning the Olympic infrastructure spending, said this was an admission from Labor that they had got it wrong and an opportunity to prevent further damage.
“We have seen the Olympics shrink from a regional games, to a Brisbane centric games and as a result communities outside of the Capital are being fed breadcrumbs.
“The Toowoomba Stadium redevelopment is an example of Labor’s botched approach to the Olympic infrastructure: they have ignored local priorities, not considered impacts, refused to consult and provided no details,” Mr Hamilton said.
The State Government has maintained that the Clive Berghofer Stadium redevelopment is the only option for Toowoomba.
Mr Hamilton said the growing city provided an abundance of opportunities for the State, Federal and Local Government to work together to coinvest in sporting infrastructure.
“Toowoomba is a sporting city and there are a range of sporting fields that could be transformed to deliver a lasting Olympic legacy.”
“I welcome the appointment of Graham Quirk to lead the review of 2032 Olympic and Paralympic venue infrastructure, because I know Graham is someone who is willing to listen to others, not just himself.
“I’ll be putting forward a submission, including the feedback I’ve received from the local community, seeking more consultation and greater investment,” Mr Hamilton said.
A Senate Committee examining Australia’s preparedness to host Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games made a number of recommendations, including a rethink on infrastructure spending and priorities.
Recommendation 5 – First Interim Report
The committee recommends the Australian Government works with the Queensland Government, affected communities and Olympics Games organising bodies to urgently review the decision to host Athletics events at the Gabba stadium and the associated plans to demolish the East Brisbane State School and temporarily remove community access to Raymond Park. The review should consider the feasibility of alternative options, including using existing infrastructure, and work to find a solution that is acceptable to these communities.
Recommendation 6 – First Interim Report
If the result of a review of the Gabba stadium decision still requires the demolition of the East Brisbane School, the Queensland Government should work with the local community to build a new school in closer proximity to the existing school than the proposed Coorparoo school.
Recommendation 1 – Second Interim Report
The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the Queensland Government to undertake a review of the potential benefits and opportunities on offer across regional Queensland to support the Brisbane 2032 Games, improve sports outcomes, and subsequently boost regional development. This review should:
- include an audit of all sporting infrastructure in regional Queensland to assess the quality, size, and location of venues to maximise use of venues including through multi-use facilities, reduce duplication and identify infrastructure gaps that act as a barrier to sport participation and high-performance outcomes; and
- build on the work of the Local Government Association of Queensland’s sports inventory project.
Recommendation 3 – Second Interim Report
The committee reiterates its recommendation in the first interim report and recommends that the Australian Government works with the Queensland Government to halt the redevelopment of the Brisbane Cricket Ground (Gabba) until such time that a review of the business case and a socioeconomic cost benefit analysis of the decision to redevelop the Gabba has been completed. This business case should consider the costs of relocating the East Brisbane State School, as stated in the first interim report, as well as the additional costs of displacing sporting codes that currently use the Gabba.
Recommendation 7 – Second Interim Report
The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the Queensland Government to explore options to improve transparency and accountability mechanisms. As part of this process, an independent and integrated Olympic Coordination Authority, with representation from all three levels of government should be considered as an alternative governance arrangement.
ENDS.
Media Contact: Greta Dwan 0414 211 908
