Logan Mayor Darren Power says it is disappointing that the city had been overlooked in the Olympic Organising Comittee’s Master Plan for 2032.
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 no Logan-based events were included in the Master Plan bid to the International Olympic Committee.
City of Logan Mayor Darren Power and new CEO Darren Scott at today’s Council meeting
The Mayor says it is disappointing that Logan has been shunned by the Organising Comittee.
“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.
“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 – alevel playing field to look at what other opportunities exist for Logan.”
Cr Power says Council will develop a roadmap to identify opportunities and significant legacy and infrastructure wins for the city.
“A detailed road map would identify numerous economic benefits including employment opportunities, supply chain up-scale, logistics and increased investment in the city.
“We are focused on a range of economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits associated with the Games.”
He also believes 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.
“We were at the starting line with the white water park before Redlands even knew they wanted to be in the race.
“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 as one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, there was no reason Logan shouldn’t host an event in the Games.
“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 believes 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,”
“It’s time to make 2032 a reality for our city, it’s not a pipe dream.”
