Scenic Rim to play a part in Games planning
The Scenic Rim will play its part in planning for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Mayor Greg Christensen joining a working group to represent the interests of Council and the community and ensure the best legacy outcomes for the region.
Council has accepted an invitation from the Council of Mayors South East Queensland (COMSEQ) to join the 2032 Regional Working Group, which will meet for the first time on Friday 18 March 2022.
In his letter of invitation, Council of Mayors (SEQ) CEO Scott Smith said the Games would provide the catalyst for the delivery of critical infrastructure for South East Queensland and position the region as a global destination for tourism, trade and investment.
“The Games provides a generational opportunity for SEQ and now we have secured the Games, Council of Mayors SEQ remains committed to working with member councils to ensure our region maximises the benefits only an Olympics can bring,” he said.
Cr Christensen, with Division 4 Councillor Michael Enright to act as his proxy when required, will join the working group. This will also include Council’s Chief Executive Officer and Manager Regional Prosperity and Communications.
“We know the eyes of the world will be on South East Queensland – not just in 2032, but in the lead-up to the Games and afterwards as well,” Cr Christensen said.
“The 2032 Games places us in the same league as global destinations such as Los Angeles, London, Tokyo and Paris.
“We want to ensure that South East Queensland delivers a successful 2032 Games that showcases our region to global audiences as a connected destination that is clean and sustainable, attractive and liveable.”
The working group will meet quarterly to collaborate on a range of legacy projects and help to ensure regional priorities continue to be clearly identified and advocated for during planning for the Games.
Cr Christensen said that, in 2015, the COMSEQ Board had identified a successful Olympic bid as a means of developing infrastructure to support the rapidly growing region of South East Queensland.
Significant progress has also been made in securing a City Deal from the Queensland and Australian Governments.
“The proposed SEQ City Deal would deliver much-needed enhancements to trunk networks in the Scenic Rim, especially those connecting Beaudesert to the larger population centres,” Cr Christensen said.
“This will be critical to the region in hosting Olympic and Paralympic training and competition at Wyaralong Dam and satellite housing at Kooralbyn and will also directly benefit our communities and support our region’s long-term growth.”
Cr Christensen said the staging of a successful Olympic Games went beyond providing new or improved venues for competition.
“The most important aspect will be visitors’ experience and that will be heavily influenced by other factors such as how easily they are able to move around the region, the quality of our natural and built environments and the liveability of our region as a whole,” he said.
Source: https://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/news/article/655/scenic-rim-to-play-a-part-in-games-planning
