Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen has today thrown his support behind a region-wide effort to force urgent action on key transport and liveability projects in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games.
South East Queensland’s Mayors launched the Let’s Get Moving! campaign in Brisbane today, to draw attention to the fact that there was only a small window of time to begin major projects and have them completed in time for the Games.
Cr Christensen said the Let’s Get Moving! campaign would highlight the pressing need to get started on many of the projects needed to host a world-class sporting event.
“The Council of Mayors started the bidding process for the 2032 Games to put a clear deadline on building the roads, bridges and rail our region will need for the next 20 years and beyond,” Cr Christensen said.
“We need to invest in projects that protect and improve our way of life – not because of the Games but in time for the Games.
“But we don’t have a lot of time. Major road and transport projects can take a decade or more to plan and build, so we need to get moving to ensure we put our best face forward to the world in 2032.
“The Foundation City Deal currently on the table is a good starting point for us to begin work. It is an opportunity for some regionally important projects, which are capable of triggering economic growth and delivering jobs, to be considered for funding from both the Queensland and Australian Governments.
“There are certainly more projects that we would like included, but the SEQ City Deal is a starting point for all three levels of government to work together.
“Along with all my COMSEQ colleagues, I urge the other two levels of Government to sign up to the deal, even if we need to keep talking to make it bigger and better.
“The type of projects we are aware of being considered and evaluated with potential to benefit the Scenic Rim include a freight action plan to guide investment and works programming across South East Queensland and a clearly articulated infrastructure strategy for the Bromelton State Development Area that will attract tenants and provide an infrastructure solution.
“While the specifics are yet to finalised, we are supportive of the inclusion of an upgrade to the Mt Lindesay Highway, accelerated access to public assets and improved digital connectivity to maximise the NBN.
“Now the Games are locked in, we need to start developing a detailed plan on what investment and infrastructure we will need to ensure the Games deliver an economic and social dividend for all residents.
“We are out of time for talking. It’s time to start the hard work. Let’s Get Moving!” Cr Christensen said.
COMSEQ Chair, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, said the Let’s Get Moving! campaign would highlight the pressing need to get started on planning the world’s greatest sporting event.
“The mayors of South East Queensland put our state on this journey to hosting 2032 Games because they recognised it was a unique opportunity to get all levels of government working together to deliver for our region,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Now the Games are locked in, we need to start developing a detailed plan on what investment and infrastructure we will need to ensure the Games deliver an economic and social dividend for all residents.
“That’s what our Let’s Get Moving campaign is all about, starting the conversation about what’s required to not only deliver the best ever Games but what’s needed to ensure we protect our region’s incredible lifestyle.
“Things like cleaning up our river and waterways, creating new greenspace and delivering better transport connections between venues can be achieved so they deliver benefits before, during and after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games.”