Queensland Government announces next steps in planning for 2032 Olympics legacy

The Queensland Government has advised that nearly 14,000 ideas have been shared as part of planning for the legacy of the Brisbane 2032 OIympic and Paralympic Games.

The Hopes and Dreams submissions as well as feedback from the Brisbane 2032 Legacy Forum held in March form the basis of a consultation paper - Elevate 2042 - released today.

Elevate 2042 focuses on the years leading up to the Games and the 10 years after, in order to maximise the economic, social, environmental and other benefits of hosting this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Draft themes highlighted in Elevate 2042 include:

• Sport, health and social inclusion

• A better future for our environment

• Connecting regionally and globally

• Economy, jobs and innovation.

Key suggestions include:

• Building the most sustainable venues

• A First Nations Cultural Centre

• Construction of ‘Innovation Clusters’ focusing on augmented reality, bio-medical and environmental technology

• Planting a Legacy Forest

• Enhanced and inclusive mass transit solutions.

The consultation paper, which lays out a draft vision for our Games legacy aspirations, advises “by 2042, a child born today has more opportunities in life, in an inclusive society and a connected region”.

The final Brisbane 2032 Legacy Plan will be released in late 2023, in partnership between the Queensland Government, Australian Government, Brisbane City Council, Sunshine Coast Council, City of Gold Coast, Council of Mayors (SEQ), Australian Olympic Committee, Paralympics Australia, and the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee.

Commenting on the legacy potential, Queensland Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Annastacia Palaszczuk stated “the Olympic and Paralympic Games have never been about a few weeks of spectacle. They are about making the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Just as South Bank is a legacy of Expo 88, we are planning now for what the legacy of 2032 will be.

“Pleasingly, bold ideas were suggested on what we can advance by hosting the Games in our backyard. These ideas came from across the state, and beyond.

“That tells me people are embracing this opportunity and I encourage everyone to play their part.”

President of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, Andrew Liveris added “with an ambitious, clearly defined Legacy Plan, we can use the catalytic effect of the Games to elevate our lifestyles and the health of our communities, across economic, social, emotional and physical aspects.

“Now is the time to refine the thousands of ideas we collectively share into clear themes and objectives that will enhance the Games and go beyond. We invite all Australians to be part of the process.”

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive, Catherine Clark noted “the vision and ideas that we’ve seen so far in the consultation process fill Paralympics Australia with confidence that Brisbane 2032 will be the most inclusive Games the world has ever seen.

“By doing so, we create a platform for genuine social change for Australians who live with a disability.

“I urge everyone with an interest in contributing to this once-in-a-generation opportunity to have their say on the Legacy Consultation Paper and play their part in creating a more inclusive Australia through the power of sport.”

Quotes attributable to Matt Carroll, CEO Australian Olympic Committee Chief Executive, Matt Carroll also advised “this consultation process has provided a wonderful insight into the community’s desire to see a lasting legacy for sport in Queensland and Australia leading into and after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Hopes and Dreams survey, combined with the Legacy Forum, certainly reinforced how important sport is to a broad cross-section of Queenslanders and Australians, in creating a healthier and happier community.”

Queensland crossbench parties call for Games funding cap
The Greens, One Nation and Katter’s Australian parties have formed an unlikely alliance as they push to cap spending for the Brisbane Games.

The group of crossbenchers that also includes independent MP Sandy Bolton came together this week to call on the Queensland and Federal Governments to cap expenditure for the Olympic Games at $7 billion.

Katter’s Australian party MP Nick Dametto said concerns from all sides had brought the crossbenchers together, stating “we’ve come together on one topic, which regional Queensland and even Brisbane and Southeast quarter residents will agree (with) the negative impact of the Olympics is going to affect us all.”

The group of MPs are also calling on the Queensland Government to abandon its planned $2.7 billion of the Gabba and instead put the funds towards infrastructure projects in those regions set to miss out on Olympics-related spending.

Greens MP Amy MacMahon said the group had put aside their differences and were united on the issue, noting “the evidence from Games right around the world is that prices go up, rates go up and people get actively displaced from their neighbourhoods.

“We’re seeing gentrification fuelled by the Olympic Games.”

Robbie Katter, the leader of the Katter Australian Party, said it was about “holding the government to account”, adding “we didn’t compete for the Olympic Games, no one else in the world wanted it - it fell in our lap.”

Consultation
People are encouraged to have their say on Elevate 2042 by visiting qld.gov.au/about/brisbane2032 to view the Legacy Consultation Paper and survey until 25th June 2023.

Image: Brisbane 2023 concepts (from top): Urbis' venue transport link overlay for the city, the indoor sports centre, the Brisbane Live! arena and the redeveloped Gabba in Olympics mode. Credit: Brisbane 2032.