CANOE slalom, boxing and freestyle BMX are in Logan’s sights if Southeast Queensland’s Olympic bid comes good.
The bid was last week endorsed as the International Olympic Committee’s preferred 2032 option.
But while there was excitement in some political quarters, there was caution locally.
Mayor Darren Power diverted attention away from sport, saying he was “hopeful” that jobs, infrastructure and investment would be the true legacy of the event.
He said the ‘Logan story’ extended beyond the hosting of events, with training venues, catalytic transport infrastructure, accommodation options and legacy-related opportunities.
“This could be an absolute game-changer for our city, our state and the nation,” Cr Power said.
“Council has invested significant time, effort and money into a positive outcome for our city. We have a long way to go but remain confident that Logan is on the Olympic map.
“When you consider the $3.3 million Doug Larsen Park world-class BMX freestyle facility at Beenleigh, our progressed plans for an Outdoor Adventure and Whitewater Park facility in Greenbank, and a specialist indoor sports venue linking rail and transport, we are well and truly in the box seat to play a key role in this once-in-a-lifetime event.”
The Outdoor Adventure and Whitewater Park plan has been shared with the taskforce responsible for the bid, and ultimately recommending where sports should be hosted.
Council wants a private company to fund the project.
Member for Forde Bert van Manen is joint chair of the “Federal Parliamentary Friends of the Olympic Movement in Australia” and has been responsible for lobbying government support for the bid.
“One of the compelling factors in our candidature is the unwavering joint commitment of all three levels of government to bring the Games to Australia,” he said.
“I commend my fellow Queensland representatives at State and Council level for their work in getting our bid to this point.”
On Sunday, it was announced that Olympic contracts would favour local business under the tender process.
Cr Power said: “The vast wins that the Olympic and Paralympic Games present for City of Logan go beyond sport with jobs, business and procurement opportunities for local contractors all in the starting blocks.
“The planned Outdoor Adventure and White Water Park and Council’s preferred location for the Indoor Sports Venue are in the west of the city aligning with two areas of significant population growth, including the State Government’s priority development areas of Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone.
“There are three major state-planned transport projects, the Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail, upgrades to the Mt Lindesay Highway and the Park Ridge Connector, which could be brought forward as part of Games-related infrastructure.
“A smart State Government would be looking to build critical infrastructure projects in a city that will have half a million residents by 2032.”
SEQ Mayors, which has steered the bidding process, understands that no other competitor has been elevated to the Targeted Dialogue stage for the 2032 Games, but warned the Brisbane 2032 candidature can still fail if it does not satisfy key requirements.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he considered this announcement as a vote of confidence in Brisbane and Southeast Queensland.
