Road map to 2032
Logan's road to Olympic gold
The City of Logan is in the box seat to capitalise on major infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Mayor Darren Power said it was disappointing that the city had been overlooked in the Master Plan for 2032, however the race was far from over.
“This is an Olympic Organising Committee priding itself on delivering legacy outcomes, yet the city that shares the same name as our first BMX gold medallist, Logan Martin, has been completely overlooked,” Cr Power said.
“As one of the fastest growing cities in South East Queensland with an expected half a million residents by 2032, delivering critical infrastructure to meet community need seems like a winner to me.
“I agree with the IOC that the Games should fit into long-term regional strategies for social and economic development, so let’s see it spread across all regional areas.
“Olympic competition is all about fair play, and that’s all we’re calling for here – a level playing field to look at what other opportunities exist for Logan.”
Cr Power said Council would develop a roadmap to identify opportunities and significant legacy and infrastructure wins for the city.
“A detailed roadmap would identify numerous economic benefits including employment opportunities, supply chain up-scale, logistics and increased investment in the city,” he said.
“We are focussed on a range of economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits associated with the Games.”
Cr Power said the city’s ideal location, between the two major Olympic zones of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, was well-placed to maximise benefits of the Games and leverage infrastructure investment that may not otherwise have been realised.
He said any indoor venue or facility could then be re-purposed into community infrastructure to be utilised beyond the games.
“Council is preparing a business case to outline the existing need, potential uses for the 2032 Olympics and how the space will be activated after,” he said.
“The creation of world-class sporting facilities can lead to elite sporting pathways and training camps for future events.”
Council was unsuccessful in its previous bid for Games infrastructure with a proposed slalom white water course at Park Ridge and a boxing venue, not progressing.
At the time there were no Logan-based events included in the Master Plan bid to the International Olympic Committee.
“We were at the starting line with the white water park before Redlands even knew they wanted to be in the race,” Cr Power said.
“Logan had done the research and had a business case completed before the idea of even bidding for the 2032 Games had started.”
Cr Power said the City of Logan was one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, an ‘unsung hero’ with vast potential and untapped capability.
“There is no reason Logan cannot host a major event and Council will now progress a detailed investigation for a venue as part of a business case to unlock the Olympic potential in our city,” he said.
“The City of Logan ticks so many boxes when you think about access to key rail and major transport nodes. We also have the advantage of open space, ease of access and existing transport and logistics infrastructure ready to go.”
The renewed Olympic push in the City of Logan comes as the Queensland Government announced a $1 billion plan to speed up train services between the Gold Coast and Brisbane – the first major transport infrastructure announcement ahead of the Games.
Cr Power said the cultural and social benefits for the city would be vast.
“We are a proud city thriving on community spirit and cultural abundance and are well positioned to leverage on our multi-cultural population to host the Games’ cultural program and host nations linked to our unique cultural make-up,” he said.
“It’s time to make 2032 a reality for our city, it’s not a pipe dream.”
As part of its Olympic campaign, Council today adopted a resolution to have representation on the Council of Mayors (SEQ) 2032 Regional Legacy Working Group.