With Townsville set to host both sailing and football during the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Townsville City Council is continuing its successful advocacy work off the back of its submission to the State Government's 100 Day Review.
Council endorsed the second iteration of its Townsville 2032 Legacy Action Plan at today's ordinary Council meeting, building on the local government's commitment to securing the region's fair share in the original 2023-24 Action Plan.
Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the Townsville 2032 Legacy Working Group developed the new plan alongside sporting and community groups from around the city to investigate and progress opportunities for Townsville off the back of the Brisbane 2032 Games.
"The 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, presents a pivotal opportunity for Townsville to showcase our wonderful city and athletes to the world," Cr Greaney said.
"But it also enables us to build a legacy in North Queensland, to build on our grass-roots sporting opportunities and in-turn create further opportunities or even the athletes of tomorrow.
"We have seen our advocacy work already paying off, securing the sailing and football during the Premier's recent Delivering 2032 and Beyond presentation, and I for one am excited to continue to work to now secure the funding we need for generational infrastructure that will put our region on the map as a sporting and development hotspot."
Townsville 2032 Legacy Working Group Chair and 3xOlympian Cr Suzy Batkovic said Townsville was well positioned to become a hub for a number of sports in the lead up to the games with the right investment into generational infrastructure.
"The Premier said it himself when announcing his plan for delivering the Olympics, this is about more than one event, it's about generational infrastructure that will benefit our community before, during and after the games," Cr Batkovic said.
"We have the best sporting supporters, alongside some real talent, so this action plan is all about maximising the opportunity for our young people to participate in sport and provide a genuine opportunity to excel and participate in the 2032 Games and beyond."
Councillor Greaney said the city had a growing reputation in the entertainment and sporting sectors which had been bolstered by the success of Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
"While the Stadium has proven the region's ability to attract and host large scale events, there is critical infrastructure gaps in grass roots and medium scale sporting infrastructure that needs to be addressed," Cr Greaney said.
The Action plan continues to deliver across the three key pillars of developed in the 23-24 plan, in order to maximise the opportunities from the 2032 Games, with a focus on sustainable infrastructure, events and tourism and sporting development.
Councillor Batkovic said the plan outlined a number of investment opportunities such as upgrades to existing infrastructure at the Murray Sporting Precinct, Riverway Sports Precinct and a number of other facilities, but also included opportunities for a new entertainment arena and aquatic precinct.
"Our Action Plan outlines the sporting communities and opportunities are there, all we need is the investment," Cr Batkovic said.
"We know how to host a world-class event, so by continuing to show the world what we can do, it will allow us to show our kids what is possible with the right opportunities, I've always said – if you can see it, you can be it.
"While we are set to host sailing and football, there's nothing to say we can't be a training hub for a number of sports in the lead up to the Olympics, so now is the time to bring these opportunities to life, now Is the time to build that legacy, and I will be knocking on every door possible to make sure that happens."
