Ipswich is in line to host some of the world’s best athletes after it was announced the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in South East Queensland.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said this is very exciting news for the sports-mad Ipswich community.
“The excitement of hosting the Games of the 35th Olympiad and the boost to the community, both socially and culturally, will be off the charts as we become the centre of the sporting world in 2032,” Mayor Harding said.
“Delivering a regional Games will also mean the benefits are enjoyed across the region, with transport infrastructure being one of the main benefits Ipswich City Council and the Council of Mayors (SEQ) are focussed on.
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“We need the transport infrastructure to not only help athletes get to the starting line, but also to help local mums and dads and other residents get to work and back home to their families and friends safer and faster.”
As part of the plan to deliver the regional Games, the Mayors of South East Queensland proposed an SEQ City Deal; a long term agreement across three levels of government to deliver the infrastructure needed, not just for a Games but for the future of the region.
The City Deal could see the proposed Ipswich Central to Springfield Central public transport corridor become reality to improve a regional transport network and the movement of participants and spectators around the south east ahead of the 2032 Games.
Mayor Harding said other benefits will flow from the Games with the region positioned as a global destination for tourism, trade and investment.
The under-construction Brisbane Lions training and support centre at Springfield Central is being considered as the venue for the football preliminaries and modern pentathlon in the 2032 Games.
Mayor Harding said there was potential for more Ipswich venues to be considered as part of the proposal, as the city continues to grow and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games master plan develops.
“Ipswich is a city with a very strong sporting history, and we will be advocating for an array of opportunities to be considered as the master plan develops in the coming decade,” Mayor Harding said.
“North Ipswich Reserve Stadium has the potential to play an important role as both a venue and training facility in the lead up to the 2032 Games.”
Ipswich has long and proud history of developing sporting champions and with great sporting facilities and clubs already in place.
Ipswich’s young children training in various sports in Ipswich will now have a further motivator to chase their dreams for Olympic glory, setting their sights on competing in an Olympics on home soil.
“Ipswich’s liveability with affordable housing, great schools and proximity to Brisbane, is a massive advantage and we want to attract sporting headquarters and national teams here to Ipswich,” Mayor Harding said.
“Now is the time to solidify our reputation as a sports-friendly city capable of producing some to the world’s top athletes.”
Olympic Gold – the benefits of a 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
- The 2032 Games proposal identifies three compact and connected venue zones in SEQ: Brisbane (includes Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim and Redlands); Gold Coast; and Sunshine Coast. These three zones will accommodate all 28 Olympic sports within 32 venues, with 16 sports and disciplines within 5km of the Brisbane CBD.
- Economic and social benefits up to $8.10 billion for Queensland and $17.61 billion nationally.
- 122,900 full-time equivalent (FTE) job years nationally and 91,600 FTE job years in Queensland over a 20-year period.
- Economic benefits in international tourism and trade are estimated to be in the order of $4.6 billion, with an estimated benefit of $8.5 billion nationally.
- Social benefits (including health and volunteering) are estimated to be up to $3.5 billion for Queensland and up to $9.11 billion nationally.
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