A vote for action on a Games for all Queenslanders
Date published: 28 July 2022
Townsville City Council voted at yesterday’s Ordinary Meeting of Council to support the establishment of the Townsville 2032 Legacy Working Group in a bid to actively pursue opportunities for regional communities in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The move follows a call for action last week from local leaders demanding to know what the plan was for ensuring North Queensland got its fair share of Olympic legacy infrastructure investment.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the formation of a dedicated working group of both public and private stakeholders was a step in the right direction.
“This group will seek to maximise the benefit of the XXXV Olympiad for the Townsville community, tourism operators, sporting organisations, and local businesses, and proactively contribute to “A Games for all Queensland,” Cr Hill said.
The Working Group will provide recommendations for consideration to Council through the Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee which will then form the basis for discussion with the 2032 Olympic Organising Committee for Queensland.
Cr Hill said it was crucial Council take proactive and positive action to leverage the benefit of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
“As a Games Delivery Partner, Townsville City Council seeks to proactively contribute to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games Organising Committee, and actively advocate for investment to benefit communities in Northern Australia,” Cr Hill said.
“The Townsville 2032 Legacy Working Group will focus on local opportunities to attract competition events and pre-Games training camps to promote our region and open new tourism, trade and investment opportunities to a global market.
“Investment in sporting infrastructure and exposure and activation of our region in the lead up to 2032 will ensure this is a games that benefits all Queenslanders not just those in the South East.”
The Games are expected to deliver economic and social benefits across the State with more than $8 billion in benefits predicted.
