Securing the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games is not only a coup for Queensland, it’s a coup for young athletes’ right across the Bundaberg-Hervey Bay region. 

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games right here in Queensland would be a big incentive for the next generation of sporting stars. 

“We have talented athletes right across the Hinkler electorate, who are selected for state, national and international championships, and I hope some of them will be representing Australia in Brisbane in 2032,” Mr Pitt said. 

“In Tokyo we have many athletes who started their sporting careers in this region – Hervey Bay’s Matt Heuser and Keira Stephens and Bundaberg’s Isaac Cooper – who are doing just that, representing Australia at the Olympics and Paralympics. 

“Being able to compete on home soil is a dream for anyone, regardless of the sport, and that could be a reality for our young athletes. 

“I hope our region will benefit from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, whether it’s hosting visiting athletes as they prepare for the competition or attracting tourists to stay a while longer after the closing ceremony.” 

It’s estimated that hosting the Games in 2032 will bring around $8.1 billion of economic and social benefits to Queensland, including the creation of around 90,000 jobs. 

Olympic and Paralympic events will be held primarily in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast locations. Some larger regional centres – including Cairns, Toowoomba and Townsville – will host football preliminary rounds but the benefits of the hosting the Games will be dispersed across the state.  

Eighty-four per cent of proposed Games venues are existing or temporary, with the proposed new venues to be developed in line with existing long term infrastructure planning requirements and to deliver legacy outcomes for the community and the economy.  

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said it was a historic moment that signified big things to come.  

Minister Colbeck said the Government was proud to see the Olympic and Paralympic Games return to our shores for the first time since the Sydney Olympics in 2000. 

“The coming decade will see new infrastructure created to ensure the games are a safe and successful spectacle,” Minister Colbeck said.   

“These games will showcase the best Australia has to offer, from our athletes to our unique environment, from our welcoming communities to our innovative approach to staging the world’s largest sporting event.”