Queenslanders have responded in their thousands to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s call for ideas and feedback on plans and legacy projects for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

The 100 Day Review attracted more than 5,000 submissions from a broad array of groups including residents, infrastructure and planning experts, sporting and community organisations and aspiring Olympians of tomorrow.

The public consultation period, which ended at midnight on Friday, 10 January, saw the conjecture over a new centrepiece stadium as the most mentioned topic.

Other key topics highlighted included the locations of other major and minor venues in the Games Master Plan, requests for generational public and active transport infrastructure, and ensuring the infrastructure investment met the state’s long-term needs.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) was one of the many organisations to make a submission.

Mayor Geoff McDonald said TRC backed Queensland Agricultural Society’s push to make the Toowoomba Showgrounds the Equestrian sport venue.

“This is a project that was on the table long before the Olympics were announced for South East Queensland and ticks all the boxes of GIICA’s 100-day review,” Mayor McDonald said.

“Most notably, the project delivers on benefits for regional Queensland from the delivery of the Games as well as the allimportant legacy element.

“This is a project that will benefit Queenslanders for the next 50 years.

“The proposed TEC (Toowoomba Equestrian Centre) will deliver Queenslanders a world-class equestrian facility that broadens its capability to provide equestrian events at the State, National, and International levels.

“It will also be a viable option to deliver equestrian sports for the 2032 Games and will provide athlete pathways, rider education, and social and commercial opportunities to benefit Queensland for generations.”

All submissions will now be reviewed and examined by the Authority as it considers recommendations to be delivered to the Queensland Government on 8 March.

Authority Chairman Stephen Conry thanked all submitters for their enthusiastic participation in the public consultation period.

“There is no doubt that the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be an exceptionally exciting opportunity. That excitement is building for what will literally be a game changer for Queensland,” Mr Conry said.

“The large volume and quality of the submissions, from across the state, is an impressive outcome for the Authority and the 100 Day Review, and a reminder of how passionate Queenslanders are about the opportunities that can be linked to delivering this historic event.

“In those thousands of submissions, there was a resounding message – Queenslanders are excited and many are keen to express a view on ensuring we deliver the great projects and facilities for the 2032 Games with generational benefits to the state for decades to come.

“Naturally we understand there is significant public interest in this 100 Day Review.

“We are methodically assessing and analysing all the information from the submissions which will assist our deliberations and recommendations to the State Government.”  

This article appeared in  On Our Selection News, 16 January 2025.