Queensland’s preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is progressing with more than $190 million in State Budget funding for infrastructure planning and development, and a targeted strategy to improve sports performance.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said $100 million would be allocated over four years to enhance and build new high-performance sports infrastructure in schools through the Go for Gold Fund.
“We see thousands of kids running around in Queensland high schools every day that could be Olympic champions one day, and this funding will go a long way to make their Brisbane 2032 dreams come true,” the Premier said.
The Premier said around $59 million would also be allocated to staff, supplies and services, including for the newly formed Olympic Infrastructure and Precincts Office.
“The more time we have to adequately plan for Brisbane 2032, the bigger the pay-off for Queensland,” she said.
“This funding will help us effectively progress planning, design and delivery of critical infrastructure which will support south-east Queensland’s long-term growth.”
Deputy Premier and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure Steven Miles said planning for Brisbane 2032 infrastructure will ramp up over the next three-to-four years.
“In 2032, all eyes will be on Queensland, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to market our state as a global destination and place to do business,” Mr Miles said.
“Last week I was in Japan promoting renewables and hydrogen investment opportunities in Queensland.
“But I also had the opportunity to talk to some of those responsible for delivering the successful summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo last year.
“Now it’s our turn.
“We’re getting to work on planning a successful delivery of a world-class event that leaves a lasting legacy for the state,” he said.
The budget also invests $31.4 million in the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) to ensure Queensland athletes will be able to compete with the best in the world.
Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe said the 2022-23 Budget would support new, emerging and elite athletic talent.
“Queenslanders won more than 40 per cent of Australia’s total medal haul at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“If Queensland was a country, we would have been seventh on the medal tally and it shows the QAS high-performance strategy and infrastructure upgrades are paying off.
“We want to dominate the 2032 Games’ medal tally with home-grown athletic talent on Queensland soil.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s 2022-23 Budget will help You for 2032, Australia’s biggest ever athletic talent search program, move up another gear.
“We’re putting more and more young Queenslanders through their paces to unearth athletes with medal-winning potential for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.
“The QAS is in regional Queensland right now testing promising young athletes to nurture, shape and transform into the state’s stars of tomorrow.”
“This year’s budget will start planning the legacy Queenslanders want to achieve from the 2032 Games and support development of a world-leading sports technology industry.
“We have a 10-year runway of transformational opportunity to 2032 and we’re determined not to waste a second.”
The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and its legacy are another example of the Palaszczuk Government delivering better services for Queenslanders.
Education Minister Grace Grace said thousands of students would have access to first-rate sporting infrastructure as part of the Go for Gold Fund.
“We know active kids are happy kids, and we want to encourage as many students as possible to get involved in sport at their school,” Ms Grace said.
“Our students of today will be the Olympians of 2032, and we’re going to be behind them every step of the way.
“This program is going to be great for communities too, as we will prioritise investment to encourage community use of school facilities.”
