Questions asked about Games transport solutions if Coast rail line isn’t delivered
By Sonia Isaacs
THE delivery partners for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are anxiously awaiting the outcomes of two major Sunshine Coast public transport project business cases due for delivery in the first half of 2024.
Grantley Switzer, the Sunshine Coast program lead for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, confirmed that there would be ‘challenges to deliver the Games’ without the required transport infrastructure in place. He reiterated the critical importance for the region to have a viable, integrated public transport network sooner rather than later and bluntly confirmed that the ‘clock is ticking.’
Mr Switzer stated that while it was imperative to have a sophisticated public transport system in place for 2032, regardless of hosting the Games or not, the infrastructure was needed now.
“Just looking at the SEQ Regional Plan and where we are heading with our population, and the congestion we are facing now; we’ve got to get people out of cars and off the Bruce Highway and using public transport,” he said
“We’re hopeful having a mega-event such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the impetus for that investment|.
“The challenge now is that we are on a critical path in terms of timing.
“We’re at a really critical junction, and we are hopeful this will be the year that some solid funding announcements are made to get moving.”
Grantley emphasised the region’s need for a strong focus on transformational and generational investment in infrastructure.
He stated that while the event and having the venues would provide a great legacy, the greatest legacy would be the significant improvement to the region’s public transport network.
“Early modelling we’ve done suggests without significant investment in improvements in public transport for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it would be problematic moving people around,” he said.
“With up to 7 million ticket sales predicted, at the moment, you could argue that the capacity to move those numbers around is simply not there.”
Mr Switzer highlighted the good understanding at all levels of government that moving people across the three major event zones of Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast was going to be a critical success factor for the games. “The clock is ticking,” he said.
“These are significant infrastructure projects, and we know globally there are significant supply and labour challenges currently in play.
“So if we do want to get the Beerwah to Maroochydore rail extension and the Sunshine Coast public transport project happening, things need to progress quickly to be ready for when the flame is lit in July 2032.”
sonia@gcnews.com.au
