Brisbane’s fate rests on March 8

Hands up who’s sick of hearing about Brisbane’s Olympic infrastructure debacle? I’ve just jumped off reading the comments section under the latest News Corp article on yet another stadium proposal, and the general consensus is to ditch the chat and get down to throwing a few shovels in the ground. 

I’m all for our city hosting the world’s most spectacular sporting event in 2032, but the political hoo-ha that’s come with it is bordering on ridiculous. The big wigs in charge will never please everyone, there will always be a community group picketing to save their patch of dirt, and big money must be spent to see Brisbane fulfill its potential as a world-class city. Anything less than aiming for extraordinary would be the greatest shame. 

Which leads me to the 100-day review into Brisbane Olympic venues and transport infrastructure, led by The Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority. A final report is to be delivered to the Queensland government on March 8, after thousands of businesses, residents and lobby groups made submissions to the agency. Is it a case of inviting in too many cooks? Possibly, but it’s also a clever move by new premier David Crisafulli who has given himself breathing space and distance from Labor’s Miles and Palaszczuk Olympic planning debacle. 

The time for talking is done. Queenslanders, for the sake of confidence in their state and leaders, need action now. March 8 can’t come soon enough. 

I hope you enjoyed the read.

Matt Lancashire