Olympics Games for SEQ 2032

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Premier 'crippled with paralysis' over SEQ Olympic bid

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has been "left at the starters' blocks" after failing to provide any solid commitment to a southeast Queensland Olympic bid, according to an opposition MP.

Member for Kawana, Jarrod Bleijie said "yet again" the Queensland Premier was "crippled with paralysis" after no commitment was made for a 2032 Olympic bid despite a pivotal hour-long meeting with Scott Morrison.

"Instead of seizing the moment, Annastacia Palaszczuk is... failing to provide any leadership on this issue," Mr Bleijie said.

Ms Palaszczuk told a Caloundra press conference on Friday that a decision would be made whether or not to start the bid when more information surfaced.

Ms Palaszczuk discussed the topic with Prime Minister Scott Morrison but didn't elaborate on what would make her commit to a bid.

"We had a discussion about the Olympics... he indicated the Commonwealth's support," she said.

"We are going to get the offices to go away and work on that (funding)... we have to work out what's possible and what isn't."

Ms Palaszczuk said she was waiting for a final report from the International Olympic Committee detailing the "changed alignment" before a decision would be made.

At the end of June, she said she would commit to a bid after meeting with Scott Morrison.

Mr Bleijie said the Games would supercharge the tourism industry by showcasing the region to billions of people around the world.

"It would also ensure that critical congestion busting infrastructure is built on the Sunshine Coast as a priority," he said.

Ms Palaszczuk has previously said she was hoping for a Commonwealth funding commitment equivalent to what the NSW Government secured for the 2000 Olympics.

The futures of other important Sunshine Coast projects were also discussed in the meeting, including the rail duplication and a speedy conclusion to Bruce Highway road works.

"The Bruce Highway connects everything so it's very important," she said.

"Queensland Government would work in a collaborative effort with Canberra, and the Prime Minister, to see where we can accelerate some infrastructure.

"We are going to work with them to see what projects we can bring forward to the accelerate jobs.

"At the end of the day it's about jobs and getting people into work."

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Premier to lead taskforce to determine cost of 2032 Olympics to taxpayers

A bid for the 2032 Olympic Games in Queensland is closer to reality with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk personally leading a special taskforce to determine the full cost-benefit analysis of the event for taxpayers.

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk will lead a taskforce charged with determining exactly how much a Queensland Olympics will cost taxpayers as she edges closer to signing off on a bid for the 2032 Games.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the State will match the Commonwealth's initial $10 million bid commitment in yet another sign the Government is getting serious about the Games.

That money will be used to conduct a full cost-benefit analysis to get to the bottom of exactly how much the Games could cost and what benefit Queensland could reap in return.

"This could be the greatest thing that ever happened in Queensland," Ms Palaszczuk said of the Olympics.

"Imagine all levels of government, business and the community united behind the single goal of a Queensland Olympics. They'd be the best-ever."

Cabinet signed off on the taskforce, which Ms Palaszczuk will chair, on Monday afternoon.

It will prepare a detailed "value proposition" study looking at the venues and transport infrastructure required, as well as an Olympics Village master plan.

The taskforce will also determine what infrastructure would be funded and delivered irrespective of the Games as well as assess the economic viability of hosting the Olympics and Paralympics in the state.

It will also determine funding sources to cover the costs and the infrastructure required, including contributions from all three levels of Government and the private sector.

Work will start later this month with the taskforce reporting back early next year.

Using an Olympics bid to help fast-track critical infrastructure needs in southeast Queensland was at the top of the action plan delivered during The Courier-Mail's Future Tourism campaign last month.

"There are a lot of benefits to hosting these Games but I want to make sure we know the costs as well," said Ms Palaszczuk, who will fly to Switzerland in September to meet with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

The Premier said she was pushing forward with plans to incorporate other parts of Queensland, rather than just the southeast corner, off the back of the IOC's "game-changing" decision to allow regions and multiple cities to bid.

New rules that would allow bidders to use existing venue infrastructure have also helped.

"We delivered a Commonwealth Games that got the world's attention, that was inclusive of cities outside the Gold Coast, such as Townsville and Cairns, and we delivered them on time and under budget.

"This next stage will allow an Olympics that is inclusive of Queensland."

Ms Palaszczuk said the $10 million commitment to deliver the cost-benefit analysis would be made up of a combination of 'in kind' work by existing government staff and resources with minimal use of specialist consultants.

She said the taskforce's work would build on the studies already conducted by the South East Queensland Council of Mayors.

The Council of Mayors, the Federal Government and News Corp Australia, publishers of The Courier-Mail, have already publicly backed the Olympic bid.

At the G20 Summit earlier this month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Mr Bach that Queensland was ready to put on a better Games than Sydney did in 2000.

Ms Palaszczuk said all levels of government, as well as the corporate sector, would need to work together for a bid to work.

"Competing in a world-class sporting event is all about teamwork and preparation. So is delivering a successful bid," she said.

PROS & CONS
What Annastacia Palaszczuk's Queensland Olympics bid taskforce will look at:

■ Assess the venue and village master plan and transport infrastructure required

■ Assess what infrastructure would be prioritised, funded and delivered irrespective of an Olympic Games

■ Assess the economic viability and cost-benefits through a detailed
economic assessment

■ Determine the funding sources, including contributions from federal, state and local government, as well as private sector

■ Determine the overarching value proposition of a 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games

GOING FOR GOLD
ARE WE MAKING A BID FOR THE 2032 OLYMPICS?

It has not been confirmed yet. A report commissioned by the SEQ Council of Mayors said there is a compelling case. The Federal Government has committed $10 million towards a bid.

The state has announced its own $10 million study to determine the costs and benefits of the games.

HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST?

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates says initial financial planning indicates the games will be cost-neutral to SEQ.

The Council of Mayors estimates the operational budget of a SEQ Games would be about $5.3 billion, but would be offset by a financial contribution from the International Olympic Committee of $2.6 billion and an anticipated $2.7 billion of revenue from sponsors, ticket sales and merchandise.

The most recent Winter Games, PyeongChang 2018, reported a surplus of $A78 million on top of the economic uplift and international exposure that comes with hosting the world's biggest event.

WHAT NEXT?

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will chair a taskforce charged with completing a full economic

cost-benefit study.

WHAT IS THE TIME FRAME?

The Mayors and Australian Olympic Committee believe a decision on a bid should be made before next year's Tokyo Games. The official bid deadline is currently 2023, but IOC rule changes may alter that. The host will be decided in 2025.

WHO ELSE IS IN THE MIX?

A joint North-South Korea bid for Pyongyang and Seoul has been flagged and the Indonesian capital of Jakarta has confirmed it will throw its hat in.

Other possibilities include Mumbai in India, Shanghai in China, Buenos Aires in Argentina and maybe locations in Germany and Russia.

WHERE WOULD EVENTS BE STAGED?

Current, future and temporary venues have been identified across the various council areas in the south-east corner and some events could also take place in regional cities, such as Cairns and Townsville.

WHAT WOULD THE GAMES BE CALLED?

The SEQ Mayors have agreed they would be known as the Brisbane 2032 Games.

The state is considering expanding the games across the state and calling it the Queensland 2032 Games.

WHEN WOULD THEY TAKE PLACE?

The SEQ Mayors' feasibility report proposes the Olympics be held from August 13-29; and the Paralympics from October 5-17, 2032.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/team_schrinner/status/1153427954384248832

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Premier warned by Federal Government that bid delay may hurt Olympics 2032 dream

SOUTHEAST Queensland's Olympics dream is at risk of being stolen by other bidders the more Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk delays a decision, the Morrison Government has warned.

Ms Palaszczuk announced this morning $10 million to investigate a bid, but said a decision would not be made until earlier next year.

Federal Sport Minister Richard Colbeck and the Prime Minister's Olympic Games bid representative Ted O'Brien today urged the Premier to "join us at the starting blocks", saying a delay could hurt the bid.

Mr O'Brien said Ms Palaszczuk should decide to join the bid today and confirm support before the end of the year.

"They should be making a decision today that they are prepared to work with us in crafting a proposition that goes to the International Olympic Committee," he said.

"We should collectively, as a united Team Australia, make a definitive decision in this calendar year that we're going to throw everything at this, so that come next year at the Tokyo Olympic Games we have a compelling proposition to take to the IOC."

Mr O'Brien said other countries seeking to bid would take advantage of any delay.

"I tell you what. If I was representing another country I would be using these reservations," he said.

"I would be using the downtime to play catch up.

"Thanks to the great work down by the SEQ mayors over years, we are ahead of the pack.

"If we keep slowing this down, due to the State Government, they will catch up and might take over."

[Stillwater]

The concept of the 'Queensland Games', with tiddlywinks being staged in Townsville or Cairns probably has a political motivation -- to counteract perceptions about yet another big thing for SEQ.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/1153485566123495424

[SteelPan]

Advanced Quuueeennsslllaaannndddd Maths Program 2019

Example Figures

Desired Transport Infrastructure Plan Total Cost for Taxpayer $10bn
Total Cost of Games for Taxpayer $6bn
Total Expense to Taxpayer $16bn

Desired Transport Infrastructure Plan Total Cost for Taxpayer $10bn
No Games Held Total Expense to Taxpayer $0bn
Total Transport Infrastructure ONLY Expense to Taxpayer $10bn

World Class Quuuueeennnssslllland Thinking Asks: WHY bother with overrated sports carnival - just spend taxpayer money on Transport Infrastructure anyway?

Queensland Edge-Ya-Kation System in Meltdown......   

[#Metro]

The Olympics is more so to gain an edge over other cities.

You are right. Perth has excellent rail and bus. It's never had an Olympics and doesn't intend to host one.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1154415769792339970

[#Metro]

Just propose a few Olympic events at Gympie and Sunshine Coast and you'll get your upgrade! 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Olympics will fail without transport upgrades

There is no way Queensland could host the sheer volume of visitors at the 2032 Olympics without building a vital new piece of infrastructure, according to a desperate warning issued to bid organisers ahead of a high-level meeting on Thursday.

AN OLYMPICS without regional fast rail would be a "disaster", Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has warned ahead of the most high-powered meeting of decision-makers tasked with whether southeast Queensland should bid for the 2032 Games.

Cr Schrinner will join Australian Olympic Committee boss John Coates, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for the Olympic Leadership Group meeting in Cairns on Thursday, to thrash out how to proceed with any proposal for the Games.

"An SEQ Olympic Games will be at least six times bigger than the Commonwealth Games, and it will see spectators visiting all parts of the region. Cross River Rail and CityTrain will help, but there is no way they can manage the load of an Olympic Games without the addition of fast rail," Cr Schrinner, the chair of the SEQ Council of Mayors, said.

Cr Schrinner said the SEQ Mayors were committed to an Olympic Games that delivered an efficient and reliable public transport network for the entire region.

The SEQ Mayors say their comprehensive public transport study released in January showed that even if every planned project in the region was delivered, including Cross River Rail, SEQ's major road corridors would be heavily congested by 2031 and over capacity by 2041.

"A regional mass transit solution like fast rail is not a Games requirement, it is what this region needs to adequately cope for the anticipated population growth of SEQ. Trying to deliver an Olympic Games based on our current transport planning would be a disaster," Cr Schrinner said.

"The SEQ Mayors have been investigating the feasibility of an Olympic Games for four-and-a-half years and we know what it will take to deliver a successful Games. We cannot do it without a new approach to public transport in SEQ.

"Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro will form a strong foundation for public transport in the inner part of the network, but we still need a regional public transport solution to service the outer areas of SEQ such as the Sunshine and Gold coasts, Ipswich and Toowoomba.

"When the Olympic Leadership Group meets, I'll be ensuring that strong public transport investment in SEQ remains at the forefront of our discussions. Without it, the opportunity to secure an Olympic Games and the massive economic benefits it will offer Queensland could be lost."

A spokesman for the Premier said she was looking forward to working with councils and the federal government.

Using an Olympics bid to help fast-track critical infrastructure needs in southeast Queensland was at the top of the action plan delivered during The Courier-Mail's Future Tourism campaign in June.

Ms Palaszczuk has been invited to Switzerland next month to meet with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bachand discuss a bid, that would require backing from all three levels of government: federal, state and local.

Mr Coates has said initial financial planning indicates the games will be cost-neutral to southeast Queensland.

The Council of Mayors estimates the operational budget of a southeast Queensland Games would be about $5.3 billion, but would be offset by a financial contribution from the International Olympic Committee of $2.6 billion and an anticipated $2.7 billion of revenue from sponsors, ticket sales and merchandise.

It is understood any proposal for SEQ to host the Games could be put to the IOC in time for next year's Tokyo Olympics, with its decision expected the following year.

[ozbob]

We've now got all three levels of government on-board for an SEQ Olympic bid. Let's make this happen!

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to have three levels of Gov working together to fast-track the infrastructure our region needs as it grows. https://t.co/jB6QEgq7l0

— Adrian Schrinner (@Schrinner) August 6, 2019

[BrizCommuter]

Council of Mayors loony circus is back in town!

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Taskforce unites to deliver 2032 Olympic Games bid

Political leaders of all levels have come together in Queensland to hammer out a plan to take their proposal to the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach in Switzerland.

A UNITED taskforce of council, state and federal backers has been formed to take a preliminary SEQ 2032 Olympic proposal to Games bosses next month.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Australian Olympics boss John Coates and delegates from the southeast's mayors met in Cairns yesterday, hammering out a united plan to take their Olympic proposal to the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach in Switzerland.

Premier Palaszczuk on Thursday named Tourism Minister Kate Jones to assist her with investigating the cost of an Olympic bid, and Ms Jones will join Federal counterpart MP Ted O'Brien and Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson on the combined taskforce.

The AOC said it was confident Brisbane and Queensland could mount a "compelling case to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games".

"Today was an outstanding start and strong display of unity," Mr Coates said.

"The leadership group will ensure a disciplined approach and alignment between all levels of government.

"We know Queensland and Australia has the capability and experience to host an Olympic Games in this country for a third time but must ensure that all planning is aligned with Queensland's long-term requirements, particularly transport infrastructure, including fast rail, community wellbeing and grassroots sports."

Ms Palaszczuk said "everyone needs to share in the pride that the Olympic Games would bring to Queensland.

"It's early days but the value proposition is under way."

Lord Mayor Schrinner said the "Olympic Games is a big opportunity for the southeast and Queensland, bigger than any one level of government.

"The SEQ Mayors started this idea of an Olympic Games as a great catalyst to bring governments together to deliver the transport infrastructure our region needs. There's still a lot of work to do, but this is the beginning of an important conversation about Southeast Queensland."

Using an Olympics bid to help fast-track critical infrastructure needs in southeast Queensland was at the top of the action plan delivered during The Courier-Mail's Future Tourism campaign in June.

Cr Jamieson said what had started as an idea from the mayors in 2015 "is now shaping up to be a real possibility" while Mr O'Brien said the bid was "on the starting blocks and the starter's gun has been fired".

"We are now working with one focus," Mr O'Brien said.

[ozbob]

Three levels of government decide to push Queensland's 2032 Olympic bid https://t.co/Wz4Q22LhUV via @brisbanetimes #qldpol #auspol

— ozbob13 (@ozbob13) August 9, 2019

[ozbob]

I have written to Premier @AnnastaciaMP to work with the @LNPQLD to bring the #Olympics to our great state. We'll only win the Games if @iocmedia sees Queensland plays with a united team. I believe in our bid & it's why I've made @JPLangbroek our Shadow Olympics Minister. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/2NH4zVrLOA

— Deb Frecklington MP (@DebFrecklington) August 9, 2019

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> OPINION The new case for staging the Olympics: an infrastructure legacy with no cost burden

Bringing the Olympic Games to Australia for the third time represents a very real and exciting opportunity for Australia and Queensland in particular.

Following the inaugural meeting of the 2032 Olympic Candidature Leadership Group in Cairns last week, now is a good time to address where we are up to in bringing this idea to reality.

Shane Wright, in his article "Olympics – What are they Good for?", quite rightly asked questions about the cost of hosting the Games and their enduring value. It is essential that the community understands the proposition.

It is also important to look at past practice and outcomes to form a view about the risks and opportunity that an Australian candidature presents.

And there's a game-changer. The International Olympic Committee has fundamentally transformed the way future Games should be staged – to ensure affordability while providing an enduring and sustainable legacy for the hosts.

As IOC president Thomas Bach has put it: "In the past, bidding for the Olympic Games was like applying for a franchise. We asked potential hosts how they would change their cities in order adapt them to the Olympic Games. Now we ask them, how we can adapt the Games to best fit the long-term needs of their city or region."

The "new norm", as the IOC calls it, dictates that the Olympic Games must adapt to the host city and not the other way around.

And to further reduce costs, changes approved by the IOC in June this year ensure the Games can be hosted by regions, not only cities. Priority must be given to the use of existing or temporary venues. The construction of new permanent venues shall only be considered on the basis of sustainable legacy plans. This includes for community and grassroots sport.

This creates additional impetus for the use of existing facilities across a broader geography, rather than unnecessarily building new venues within the confines of a particular city.

This is what makes the proposition for Queensland so attractive. At least 85 per cent of venues for a prospective 2032 Games already exist or are already scheduled for construction. In the cases of Paris and Los Angeles, which will host the 2024 and 2028 Games respectively, the use of existing and temporary facilities sits at more than 90 per cent.

A Queensland Olympic Games in 2032 should be at least cost neutral, if not turn a surplus for the legacy of sport. With operational costs expected about $5.3 billion, based on the IOC contribution to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the IOC has indicated it would contribute a minimum $2.5 billion, with the remainder generated by sponsorship, tickets sales and the commercial program.

The most recent comprehensive study on Olympic Games' costs, the Preuss Study, found for all 10 Games' editions researched (between 2000 and 2018), the Organising Committee operating budget was covered by revenue, including the IOC contribution. The most recent Olympics, the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, produced an operating surplus of $US55 million ($81 million).

For Queensland, there is the opportunity for long-term urban and infrastructure development for south-east Queensland – jobs and economic growth. Improved road and rail infrastructure linking the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast is a pressing priority now and is not Games-driven. The report by Infrastructure Australia released this week points to the need for immediate action to reduce current and future congestion.

The 2032 Olympic Candidature Leadership Group, representing federal, state and local governments, and chaired by the Prime Minister, will now take the project forward.

John Coates is the president of the Australian Olympic Committee and a member of the International Olympic Committee.

[SteelPan]

.....Breaking News......

Qld Govt secretly putting finishing touches to key part of an upgraded Brisbane/Toowoomba Interurban Rail Link   

1min to 1.30min mark....knock your socks off!



ps. this comment is in [poor quality] "light humour" and I hope, all involved in day featured in this video, had a great time!

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Olympics can be hosted with money to spare, says Queensland 2032 bid official

A delegation of key Australian officials will pitch a vision of a sustainable, legacy-driven and potentially profitable 2032 Olympic Games when they meet with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland next week.

After being something of a pipe dream four years ago, the notion of the Olympics being staged in Queensland's south east has steadily gathered pace to the extent where the bid is now favourite, should it remain supported by the various levels of government and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC).

AOC boss John Coates will be among those to meet with IOC president Thomas Bach, along with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Council of Mayors (SEQ) representative Mark Jamieson and the Prime Minister's Special Representative for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Ted O'Brien.

The group will also check on planning and preparations for the Paris Games of 2024, with Los Angeles and potentially Queensland to follow. A decision will be made in 2025 at the latest, although the IOC could green light a candidate city earlier under the new bidding process.

Jamieson, who has been one of the main drivers of the Olympic push for the region, said he wanted to ensure Bach saw a "united front" at all levels. He said the region fulfilled large parts of the brief under the IOC's Olympic Agenda 2020, which seeks to dramatically lower costs and eliminate white elephant infrastructure.

"We want to present a united front to Thomas Bach and the IOC committee. We're selling the country, really. Sydney and Melbourne have hosted before with remarkable success. We're confident an SEQ Olympics would be equally successful," Jamieson said.

Previous Games have become huge financial burdens on host cities, which in turn has killed off suitors for such a gargantuan sporting event. With strict new rules around existing stadia and facilities and the promise of a $2.5 billion kick from the IOC coffers, Jamieson said another Australian Games could even have some change left over.

"All of Queensland and all of Australia were contributors to the infrastructure on the Gold Coast (2018 Commonwealth Games) and this would be a similar situation. We have been buoyed from the advice from Thomas Bach about the sort of funding the IOC will provide. We actually believe it's possible to at least break even, if not make a small profit, on the Games themselves," he said.

"We can use existing facilities ... clearly some need upgrades and we do need some new investment in others to deliver what's required for the Games. But this is one of the fastest growing places in the country. We need that and we need it to satisfy out residents in any case."

Other bidders for 2032 include a joint North and South Korean venture, a German regional bid, India and Indonesia.

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail 8th September 2019 page 8

Delegation takes step toward bid

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk lands in Switzerland tonight to begin the formal process of securing the 2032 Olympics for Queensland.

Over the next three days, Ms Palaszczuk and Australian Olympic chief John Coates will meet with senior International Olympic Committee executives, including IOC president Thomas Bach.

They are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding that formally offers up Queensland as a bidder for the 2032 Olympics.

The Brisbane bid will accentuate Australia's proven track record of hosting major international events and our political stability, safety, economic and transport credentials.

That would lead to an official bid just before the Tokyo Olympics, with a final decision likely in 2021.

The delegation to IOC headquarters in Lausanne also includes Council of Mayors head Mark Jamieson, Commonwealth representative, Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien, and Star Entertainment chairman John O'Neill.

They will travel to Paris on Wednesday to inspect the French capital's preparations for the 2024 Olympics.

Ms Palaszczuk said Dr Bach knew Queensland well, having been to the Gold Coast for the Sports Accord, and he acknowledged the great success of the Commonwealth Games.

The International Olympic Committee has changed the rules around Olympic bids to stop host cities from going broke. There is confidence Brisbane could make money.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland will throw hat into ring to host 2032 Olympic Games

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and a high-powered delegation will meet IOC president Thomas Bach tomorrow to officially throw Queensland's hat into the ring to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

TOMORROW is D-day for Queensland's 2032 Olympic Games bid.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and a high-powered delegation will meet International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach to officially throw Queensland's hat into the ring for the greatest prize in international sport. The IOC has planned a series of top-level meetings where Queensland's bid team will outline the preliminary findings from a cost-benefit analysis.

Ms Palaszczuk will tell Dr Bach that after Melbourne (1956) and Sydney (2000), the time was ripe for Brisbane to host the 2032 Games. She will rely on the resounding success of the 2018 Commonwealth Games as a key indicator of Queensland's ability to deliver. Ms Palaszczuk will also point to Australia's proven track record of hosting big events, as well as our political, fiscal and safety advantages.

The Premier will refer to Brisbane's seamless hosting of the 2014 G20 summit and our economy, underpinned by ­future projects including Queen's Wharf, Brisbane Live, a second airport runway and a new cruise ship terminal.

They will spruik important future transport infrastructure, including Cross River Rail, a very fast rail project, a second M1 to the Gold Coast and major hotel investment.

The delegation also includes Australian Olympic Committee chief John Coates and Star Entertainment chairman John O'Neill.

Mr O'Neill is expected to accentuate the business community's "absolute support'' for another Australian Olympic Games.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien will represent PM Scott Morrison and Council of Mayors head Mark Jamieson will round out the council-state-Commonwealth unity ticket.

Mr Coates has already indicated that Queensland is the only Australian state that could host an August-September Olympics because of its warmer weather.

The IOC has said it would contribute $2.5 billion towards the cost of a Brisbane Games. After meeting with the IOC at Olympic headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, the delegation will head to Paris to inspect 2024 Olympic preparations.

If the European sojourn is deemed a success, Queensland would formally bid before the Tokyo Olympics next August. A decision on whether Brisbane hosts the 2032 games would be made in 2021.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ssmithceo/status/1170776293069262849

[Stillwater]

"The Premier will refer to Brisbane's seamless hosting of the 2014 G20 summit and our economy, underpinned by ­future projects including Queen's Wharf, Brisbane Live, a second airport runway and a new cruise ship terminal. They will spruik important future transport infrastructure, including Cross River Rail, a very fast rail project, a second M1 to the Gold Coast and major hotel investment."

A lot to do if we get the Games.

[ozbob]

A lot to do if we don't get the Games ..

On past form it is hard to have much confidence.  The Government has to reorgnise how it does things. 

Present outfits have presided over failure for too long.  Need to clean out the non performers ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Palaszczuk's Olympic hopes for re-election

An Olympic Games bid win won't just deliver thousands of jobs and boost the economy, it may also get Annastacia Palaszczuk back over the line come the next election.

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk is staking a big part of her re-election prospects on today's meeting in Switzerland to secure the 2032 Olympics, saying it will turbo-boost the economy and create tens of thousands of jobs for the next half a century.

"This is as big as it gets for us as a state,'' she said.

"The economic impact of an Olympics will set us up for not one but two generations. It's not just the infrastructure. It's the legacy piece around tourism.

"I'm a proud and passionate Queenslander and I'll be telling (IOC president) Thomas Bach that we are ready and willing to deliver the best Games ever.''

Ms Palaszczuk and Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates will lead a high-powered delegation that will meet today with IOC bosses in Lausanne.

The delegation also includes federal MPs Ted O'Brien and Milton Dick, Council of southeast Mayors chief Mark Jamieson and Star Entertainment Group chairman, John O'Neill.

They have seven hours of meetings with Mr Bach and his executive team where they will spell out Queensland's political, economic and safety credentials.

The IOC has changed the eligibility rules around the bid process to streamline the way countries stake their claim, making it more cost-effective.

The IOC has indicated that a Queensland bid would attract a $2,6 billion funds injection to help with key facilities such as the athletes village.

The main opponents for a 2032 Brisbane hosting appear to be a German region, based around Bonn, and possibly Shanghai, which is making preliminary inquiries.

The joint North Korea-South Korea bid is seen as politically and militarily risky, while there are serious questions about the delivery outcomes for Mumbai and Johannesburg.

Ms Palaszczuk said key infrastructure would need to be accelerated, including a second M1 between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Cross River Rail and the Brisbane Live entertainment project.

But she said the worldwide tourism benefits had been assessed at many billions of dollars.

"We are talking about jobs in key industries like construction and tourism for the next 30 years,'' she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Coates saw the Queensland bid as "clearly our best chance for the Games in a very long time''.

"The stars have aligned and the IOC are very enthusiastic about hearing from us,'' she said.

It's understood the IOC was impressed with the way the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was delivered, and many within the Olympic movement still regard Sydney as the best Games ever.

The IOC is also cognisant of Australia's bid being supported by the three tiers of government Commonwealth, State and local government.

The plan is for a number of sports to be held outside the southeast triangle, including the sailing in the Whitsundays.

The formal bid would be presented by July next year and a decision was likely by 2021.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1170835472966246400

[verbatim9]

Olympics 2032: Plans for new 80,000 seat Brisbane stadium

Couriermail.com.au----->https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/olympics-2032-plans-for-new-80000-seat-brisbane-stadium/news-story/15332bcc1765e89c6ef518605c75b343

Olympics 2032: Plans for new 80,000 seat Brisbane stadium
A new world-class class stadium in Brisbane to host the athletics and opening and closing ceremonies will form the centrepiece of a bold Queensland bid for the 2032 Olympics.

Australia has 'good chance' of hosting 2032 Olympics
Sky News contributor Scott Emerson says Australia has a 'good chance' of hosting the 2032 Olympics in Queensland.

A WORLD-class stadium in Brisbane with capacity for 80,000 people to watch the athletics and opening and closing ceremonies will form the centrepiece of a bold Queensland bid for the 2032 Olympics.

It comes as an Australian delegation met with Olympics powerbrokers in Switzerland overnight, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk telling the congregation that Queensland would stage a "safe and welcoming" Games.

A Queensland Games would also feature two athletes villages — one in Brisbane and the other on the Gold Coast.

Legacy transport infrastructure, such as a faster rail network linking south-east Queensland and a second M1 Highway between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, will also be built to cater for an Olympics and a population boom across the region.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has softened her stance on a fast train network — a key action item from The Courier-Mail's Future SEQ campaign — recognising that it is a vital piece of the transport infrastructure jigsaw needed if the Sunshine State wins the right to host the 2032 Olympics.

Council of Mayors head Mark Jamieson and the Federal Government's Olympics representative, Ted O'Brien, have both said publicly that faster rail is "critical'' to an Olympics bid.

Ms Palaszczuk, Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates and Star Entertainment Group chairman John O'Neill led the Queensland delegation, which last night met with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.

For the first time, Mr Bach had invited a country to sit down with the IOC executive to work out whether a successful bid was feasible.

This is in stark contrast to the previous system where bidding countries spent tens of millions of dollars to try to win the bid.

In the meeting, the Queensland delegation heard from the IOC on what its expectations were, particularly around transport infrastructure, security and athlete comfort.

Mr Bach wants "very few losers'' from the new bidding process.

If the IOC likes what it hears, Queensland will proceed on its final bid, which will go before the IOC just before the Tokyo Olympics in July next year.

A final decision would then be likely by 2022.

The RNA Showgrounds and QEII at Nathan have emerged as possible sites for the new Brisbane stadium.

The current QEII stadium would need to be demolished, but it's unclear if the historic exhibition grounds used for the Ekka would be impacted.

The Courier-Mail's recent Future Tourism campaign revealed that the Mayne Rd Rail Yards at Bowen Hills and Albion Park were also among likely sites for a new stadium.

"The (Olympics) value assessment is being carried out and we will be looking at all transport options,'' Ms Palaszczuk said.

"You've got to be able to move big numbers of people for an Olympics and fast rail is the best option,'' he said.

China and Russia loom as the main rivals to a Queensland bid. Shanghai and St Petersburg also are understood to be readying bids for 2032.

The high-powered bids would join other bidding candidates, such as a joint North-South Korea pitch, Mumbai, Johannesburg and Jakarta.

The IOC will appoint a Host Commission by the end of the year. It will assess the quality of the bid cities and recommend a country.

That recommendation would then be assessed by the IOC executive committee, before finally being signed off by the 105 IOC delegates.

[verbatim9]

^^I cant believe it has been narrowed down to the RNA Show Grounds and Nathan? Surely the RNA Showgrounds wouldn't be suitable for such a stadium, without levelling what is there. What happened to the other potential sites? Victoria Park is now eliminated out of the race, but there were other sites. (Hamilton Northshore, Mayne Yards...)

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ssmithceo/status/1171443511763202052

[timh]

^^I cant believe it has been narrowed down to the RNA Show Grounds and Nathan? Surely the RNA Showgrounds wouldn't be suitable for such a stadium, without levelling what is there. What happened to the other potential sites? Victoria Park is now eliminated out of the race, but there were other sites. (Hamilton Northshore, Mayne Yards...)

Yeah I doubt the validity of that claim. No idea where they got the info from. Nathan actually seems the obvious choice as the existing stadium is garbage, needs a bulldozer. Problem is lack of direct public transport connectivity. They'd have to extend the busway to the stadium as a branch from Griffith station or something.

RNA is out. The footprint of the existing stadium is nowhere near large enough and it's heritage listed. And there's already a huge master redevelopment plan for that area, I doubt ttheyd rip that up for this (same with Hamilton). Mayne is probably still a goer.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[SurfRail]

I'm not sure there is any chance of Mayne happening, it's still too far from transport and it's all going to be either stabling or active running lines by the times the Olympics happen.

[verbatim9]

^^I cant believe it has been narrowed down to the RNA Show Grounds and Nathan? Surely the RNA Showgrounds wouldn't be suitable for such a stadium, without levelling what is there. What happened to the other potential sites? Victoria Park is now eliminated out of the race, but there were other sites. (Hamilton Northshore, Mayne Yards...)

Yeah I doubt the validity of that claim. No idea where they got the info from. Nathan actually seems the obvious choice as the existing stadium is garbage, needs a bulldozer. Problem is lack of direct public transport connectivity. They'd have to extend the busway to the stadium as a branch from Griffith station or something.

RNA is out. The footprint of the existing stadium is nowhere near large enough and it's heritage listed. And there's already a huge master redevelopment plan for that area, I doubt ttheyd rip that up for this (same with Hamilton). Mayne is probably still a goer.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

I'm not sure there is any chance of Mayne happening, it's still too far from transport and it's all going to be either stabling or active running lines by the times the Olympics happen.

Build it at Mayne Yards. Located near Bowen Hills Station. It's in need of redevelopment. The stabling facility can be moved.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SEQMayors/status/1171625550516871168

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland does not need new 80,000-seat Olympics stadium: Coates

Queensland does not need to build a new 80,000-seat stadium to host a successful Olympic Games, the committee's bosses in Switzerland have been told.

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates was part of a delegation invited to discuss to Lausanne, Switzerland, this week to discuss a potential Queensland bid for the Olympics in 2032.

Mr Coates said there was no requirement for a new 80,000-seat stadium in Brisbane, arguing a smaller venue could be built.

"The maximum is 60,000, that's what's been provided in Tokyo, that's what London provided," he said.

"And that could be a stadium that could reduce to a lesser amount afterwards, depending on what the legacy is going to be - no requirement for 80,000."

For the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020, Japan is building a 68,000-seat stadium with a capacity of more than 80,000 using temporary seating.

The London Stadium was able to host 80,000 spectators for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics but reopened in July 2016 as the home of West Ham United with 66,000 seats.

Asked if Queensland could therefore use an existing stadium, Mr Coates admitted a new facility would need to be built, saying "there isn't a stadium, to my mind".

"I think there'll be something developed for athletics and the ceremonies, there is an option with the Gabba," he said.

"But probably, I think, a new stadium has to be prepared, but similar to the way that it was done with London, it could reduce to something afterwards.

"The days of 80,000, the days of 115,000 for Sydney is not required."

Mr Coates said the Olympic Games could provide a boost to Australian sport.

"Australian sport needs another impetus; it's 32 years since we had the Games and we know what an impetus that was across a whole range of sports," he said.

"Increased participation, there'll be venues, the venues that have been talked of, the new ones, they're all community venues that will be created in the most part, before the Games, they'll be used by communities, they'll be transformed for the Games and then they'll go back to the communities afterwards."

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland had 85 per cent of the venues required to host an Olympic Games in 2032.

Ms Palaszczuk said she hoped a value assessment for the Games could be done by the end of November.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach described the meeting with the Australian delegation as "excellent and very fruitful".

"We are even more impressed than I was already during my recent visit in Brisbane and Queensland when we could see how advanced the preparations were already at the time," he said.

"We have seen further progress here today when the project has been presented.

"This project has all the ingredients to become a successful candidature."

Ms Palaszczuk plans to fly back to Queensland earlier than expected to deal with the bushfire crisis.

Earlier this year, it was revealed an Olympic Games could be hosted in Queensland with a cost-neutral impact.

The Council of Mayors previously investigated a multi-city bid for the Olympic Games with events across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan instead of the traditional single-city bid.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Olympics 2032: Queensland the frontrunner to host Games

Queensland's bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games will be fast-tracked in an attempt to blow rivals off the park, after a glowing assessment from the International Olympic Committee.

QUEENSLAND'S 2032 Olympic bid will be fast-tracked in an attempt to blow its rivals off the park after a glowing assessment from the International Olympic Committee.

The reforms to the way Olympic Games hosts are now selected allow the IOC to make a decision when it believes a bid city has the capability to proceed.

IOC president Thomas Bach said yesterday he had never seen a bid as "advanced" at this stage of the Queensland 2032 bid.

"It is fair to say that this project has all the ingredients to become a successful candidature," he said. "The ball is now in your court."

As a result, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants a cost-benefit analysis for the Games completed by November and the Olympics taskforce — which includes the Premier, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and AOC boss John Coates — would make a final decision on a bid by Christmas.

Mr Bach said he did not know when a final decision on the 2032 Games would be made, but said Queensland was the frontrunner.

He said a Future Hosts Commission would be set up in October and the IOC would decide on the implementation of its host city reforms.

The reforms completely overhaul the way host cities are selected and then provided ongoing support to stage a Games.

It is a much more collaborative approach between the IOC and host countries and the aim is to ensure it is cost-neutral, rather than sending cities broke.

Mr Bach said a number of other countries had expressed interest in hosting the 2032 Games. The speculation is that Shanghai in China and St Petersburg in Russia are possibilities and a joint North-South Korea bid may be proposed.

"We cannot give a (decision) deadline today but that will be very much in the hands of the Queensland bid and how fast the project is developing."

It's understood that Australia's bid will now be stamped "urgent" to essentially make it so compelling and irresistible by the start of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo that no other bid can compete. A final decision is expected by 2022.

Mr Bach was impressed by the political and business unity behind Queensland's bid team.

"It's the enthusiasm of the Aussies for sport,'' he said.

"I'm very happy to meet optimistic and forward-looking politicians. That's a good experience.

"I like how much we share our common values. This is about the contribution of sport to society and the community, youth, gender equality, more sustainable, protecting the environment. This is what in the long-run will be the most important legacy for these Games.''

AOC president John Coates said a new stadium would have to be built.

"There isn't a stadium to my mind in Brisbane for the athletics and the ceremonies,'' he said.

Mr Coates said it did not need hold 80,000 people, but it needed to have significant capacity, such as Tokyo's 68,000-seat main stadium or the Olympic Stadium used for the London Games in 2012.

Asked if there were any sticking points to the Queensland bid thus far, Mr Bach replied: "No. It's really impressive and what I have been told by our colleagues here is the questions were really in-depth and showed very high preparedness."

"This is not what can you expect 13 years before the Games. I am now even more impressed than I was in my recent visit to Brisbane for the Sports Accord and how advanced the preparations are.

"We are impressed as well by the political and nonpartisan support the project enjoys.''

Mr Bach referred to the presence of Coalition MP Ted O'Brien and Labor's Milton Dick as "innovative".

"That is not only impressive but it is on this stage innovative to have all the parties there and united behind this," he said.

Ms Palaszczuk said 85 per cent of venues already exist for a prospective 2032 Olympics in Queensland.

"We share great common values and the ideals of the Olympic movement,'' she said.

"This would be the People's Games. A golden age for Queensland which would set the state up for decades to come.''

Mr Coates said Australia needed another Olympics.

"The infrastructure will go back to the communities,'' he said.

Fast rail, fast rail, fast rail ....

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland to decide on Olympics bid within months

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has insisted Queensland will abandon moves to host the Olympic Games if they were not projected to deliver a jobs and infrastructure bonanza.

It comes after Ms Palaszczuk led a delegation to Lausanne, Switzerland, last week to talk to the International Olympic Committee about the potential for Queensland to host the Olympic Games in 2032.

The Premier said if the Olympics delivered more jobs, private investment and infrastructure she was "all for it".

"If it delivers these things sooner than they would otherwise, then so much the better," she said.

"If the Games do not offer real benefits to this state then, of course, we will not pursue them."

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has been examining the feasibility of a Queensland Olympic Games since July, and is developing a value proposition proposal.

Ms Palaszczuk said she expected the proposal to be finished and considered by cabinet by December.

"We clearly have the attention of the International Olympic Committee," she said.

"This is not just about a couple of weeks of competition. It is about accelerating decades' worth of jobs investment.

"It's about getting things off the drawing boards and into our lives."

Ms Palaszczuk said about 85 per cent of venues needed to host the Games were already built and the IOC would also commit money for a bid.

Last week, Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said there was no requirement for a new 80,000-seat stadium in Brisbane, arguing a smaller venue could be built.

IOC president Thomas Bach described the meeting with the Australian delegation as "excellent and very fruitful".

"We are even more impressed than I was already during my recent visit in Brisbane and Queensland when we could see how advanced the preparations were already at the time," he said.

Earlier this year, it was revealed an Olympic Games could be hosted in Queensland with a cost-neutral impact.

The Council of Mayors SEQ previously investigated a multi-city bid for the Olympic Games with events across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Redland, Moreton Bay and Logan instead of the traditional single-city bid.

[#Metro]

Perth never hosted the Olympics, and yet they have the best PT network in the country.

That said, hosting will allow us to get priority over NSW and Vic projects.

[Stillwater]

Irrespective of the Olympic Games being awarded for Queensland, we would get the jump over NSW and Victoria in the infrastructure funding stakes by doing proper BCR reports, consistent with the Infrastructure Australia guidelines and methodology.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=3209

Olympics bid delay

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House that there is strong community disapproval with Queensland seeking an Olympic bid for 2032. Queenslanders are concerned with the extraordinary costs associated with hosting an Olympic games, the fact that host cities never make back as much money from the event as they spend, the special protections awarded to Olympic sponsors at the exclusion of local businesses, and the disruption to normal civic life. Queenslanders believe that this money could be better spent dealing with immediate challenges facing Queensland such as the economy, drought, and vital infrastructure and services.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to resolve that no further government monies be spent seeking an Olympic bid until such time as that critical policy concerns, namely related to stabilising current industries, boosting the state's economy and correcting concerning unemployment issues, are properly addressed.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Coalition of unions demands no funds cut from services for 2032 Olympic Games bid

A COALITION of powerful unions say they're worried vital services will suffer for Queenslanders if the state secures the 2032 Olympics.

Queensland Nurses and Midwives' Union secretary Beth Mohle, the Queensland Teachers' Union president Kevin Bates and United Voice Queensland state secretary Gary Bullock issued a rare joint statement to call on the Morrison and Palaszczuk governments to guarantee Olympic funds won't come at the expense of vital health and education services.

"Public sector workers including teachers, teacher aides, school cleaners, nurses, midwives, paramedics and other health workers are legitimately concerned important services such as health and education could be impacted due to an Olympic spend," the statement reads.

"Union representatives have requested extensive consultation and conversations with state, federal and local government leaders to give confidence specific Olympic funding will be provided.

The Nurse's Union's Ms Mohle said a detailed discussion was needed on how much each level of government would contribute.

"A spend of this magnitude has the potential to severely impact Queensland's hospitals, health services, education system and other vital services," she said.

The QTU's, Mr Bates said there was a real need for additional schools and staff statewide.

"Queensland's public education system is growing rapidly and placing significant demands on the state government to employ more teachers and principals, build new schools, expand facilities in existing schools and rapidly expand TAFE to meet the needs of industry," Mr Bates said.

"Queenslanders need to be reassured all the requirements of this growth can be sustained."

United Voice's Mr Bullock said Prime Minister Scott Morrison needed to answer "serious funding questions" before unions backed any call for the Olympics to be held in Queensland.

The unions said the Games would need to be held in various locations across the state, not just in the south east, to benefit all Queenslanders.