A six year journey to bring the world's biggest sporting event to South East Queensland is a step closer with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic proposal to go to a full International Olympic Committee (IOC) vote in July.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the overnight announcement by the IOC's Executive Board was an important step in what has been a labour of love for the region's Mayors since 2015.
"Six years ago, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) started looking at a regional Olympic and Paralympic Games to bring forward the infrastructure our communities need and to position the region as a global destination for tourism, trade and investment," Lord Mayor Schrinner said.
"Our commitment over the past six years has never waivered and we are honoured the IOC Executive Board has recommended our proposal be put to IOC members to decide if we should host the Games of the thirty-fifth Olympiad.
"If we are successful, it will deliver a decade of regional benefits for our communities, including a significant employment boost, along with billions of dollars in tourism and trade opportunities.
"We aren't taking anything for granted however, we still need to show the IOC members that we have what it takes to host the Games in 2032, and we will be working hard to do ensure we put our best foot forward."
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Deputy Chair and Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said, "This is a truly regional proposal that will see venues and events spread across South East Queensland and benefiting the 3.6 million who call the region home.
"Being part of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) means we are part of this Brisbane 2032 proposal and will experience the economic and social benefits it delivers.
"Our aim will now be on working with our proposal partners to ensure this opportunity delivers a positive legacy for our community."
Lord Mayor Schrinner said the decision to move to a full vote of the IOC followed significant work by all the region's Councils.
"This is an example of what can be achieved through determination and collaboration," he said.
"This proposal is the culmination of years of work by the Mayors and Councils of South East Queensland, together with our proposal partners from the State and Federal Government and of course the Australian Olympic Committee.
"When we began this journey six years ago our focus was firmly on creating a positive legacy for our communities and to now be so close to realising that objective is a credit to all involved.
"I would like to thank everyone involved in this proposal to date, including my predecessor former Lord Mayor Quirk and other past Mayors."
Lord Mayor Schrinner said that as part of the announcement overnight, Brisbane 2032 partners had also published a copy of their proposal, outlining their vision as host of the 2032 Games.
"It shows our commitment is firmly on creating a legacy for the community and a key part of that legacy is the jobs and infrastructure our region needs, not just for a Games but beyond.
"We know a 2032 Games can only succeed if the State and Federal Government deliver a significant investment in transport infrastructure and we will continue to advocate for these projects to ensure local mums and dads can spend more time at home and less time stuck in traffic."
