Redland City Council looking for passionate people to ensure Olympics legacy

Community members are being offered a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure the Redlands Coast maximises the local, regional and international opportunities from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams announced the Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group at a breakfast this morning attended by more than 100 people, which included Olympic Champion Canoeist Jess Fox OAM, long-term tourism advocate Daniel Gschwind, and actor and former local Redlands Coast resident Lincoln Lewis.

Cr Williams said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognised ‘legacy’ as a vital component of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics to deliver lasting benefits for people and communities across South-East Queensland.

“Redland City Council has been a proud partner on the Olympic and Paralympic journey since the Council of Mayors (SEQ) began exploring the opportunity to bring the Games to Queensland in 2015,” Cr Williams said.

“I am proud to have been at the table when this journey began and am committed to ensuring the Brisbane 2032 Games deliver for generations of Redlanders.

“The Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group will leverage the enthusiasm and passion of our community to identify and deliver the exciting legacy opportunities set to flow from the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

“Council agreed to be part of the Brisbane 2032 journey because of the positive legacy it could deliver for our community, so it is vital the community has a seat at the table to help develop a Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Plan.

Actor Lincoln Lewis, champion slalom canoeist Jess Fox, Mayor Karen Williams and Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind.

Cr Williams said it was also important for the Redlands Coast to provide a powerful advocacy voice on the broader Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games legacy issues and other related regional opportunities.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to ensure your friends, family and community benefit from the legacies of the world’s largest sporting event,” Cr Williams said.

“We want people who are passionate about the Olympics and Paralympics and the potential benefits they bring, but we also want people who are passionate about our city and ensuring our entire community can be part of this exciting opportunity.”

Champion Slalom Canoeist Jess Fox said creating a legacy in the lead up to and after an Olympics was a vital component of keeping the Games spirit as well as building and harnessing community spirit.

“I consider myself a product of the legacy of the Sydney 2000 Olympics – I was fortunate to grow up with the Penrith Whitewater Stadium at my fingertips, which has provided a world-class venue to train at on my journey to three Olympic Games,” Jess said.

“For me, it’s been a case of ‘you can be what you can see’ and I have enjoyed living close to a high performance facility over the past 20-plus years that has helped generate Olympic dreams for aspiring athletes from around the world.

“I’m excited about the future for our sport and the next generation. The ‘legacy first’ approach for the new world-class Redland Whitewater Centre, being included as part of a versatile and integrated Birkdale Community Precinct, will offer so much opportunity to not only elite athletes like me but for children, emergency services organisations for swift water rescue training and the community.”

The Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group will include members representing a diverse range of interests, skills and experience, including:

Quandamooka Traditional Custodian representativesOlympians/ Paralympians/ High performance sportSustainability expertBusiness, industry and tradeTourism and eventsDisability sector – accessibility and inclusionArts and cultureCommunity sport and active recreationA local school studentTransportHealth and wellbeingInnovation and researchEducation and training.

Expressions of interest are open until Wednesday 18 May 2022. To lodge an online Expression of Interest for the Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group, visit the Redland City Council website at www.redland.qld.gov.au/legacy.