GC’S GAMES BOARD ABSENCE A FARCE
WHEN the Gold Coast hosted the Commonwealth Games – this city’s biggest event to date – in April, 2018, it resulted in a lot of benefits and exposure. The infrastructure boost it provided out of necessity for this fast-growing city was critical across transport systems and sporting stadiums.
But one of the most important legacies of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was the showcase of this part of the world to International Olympic Committee officials who visited at the time.
The Coast Games are credited with helping rejuvenate the reputation of that event and also broke ground by simultaneously hosting the parasports alongside the Commonwealth Games events. The city didn’t just pull off a great and memorable games that looked good too. It impressed the IOC decision-makers.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is not wrong when he said in frustration yesterday: “The IOC wouldn’t even know where Brisbane was without the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, let’s make that clear”.
A bristling Mr Tate was reacting to the latest snub of himself and this city’s elected representatives when it comes to the Southeast Queensland 2032 Olympics planning committee.
Having missed out on a spot originally, the Gold Coast elected representatives – whether Mr Tate or Deputy Mayor Donna Gates – have missed out again. The new planning committee position which opened up due to a drink-driving scandal engulfing the Redlands Mayor has gone to Noosa’s Mayor.
It means the sole Gold Coast representative at the planning table will be the very capable and proud Gold Coaster Rebecca Frizelle.
But as Mr Tate points out, despite her being more than able and an ideas machine, she is representing Australia too and cannot pledge cash on behalf of the city ratepayers.
This is not about splitting hairs as to whether Noosa and the Sunshine Coast should have a seat at the table instead of the Gold Coast. Both areas have a high number of events being hosted come 2032.
But the Games are a pivotal infrastructure opportunity for the Gold Coast, which is among one of the fastest-growing parts of Australia and has growing pains coming out of its ears.
Games planning is going to be key to addressing longstanding issues and give impetus to transport builds, an athlete’s village with longevity and a purpose post-games and the leverage such an event will give to the city.
An elected city representative must have a seat at the table.
1566
French astrologer, physician and prophet Nostradamus (Michel de Nostredame) dies in Salon. 1644
At the Battle of Marston Moor, parliamentary forces have their first big win over the Royalists in the English Civil Wars.
1778
Jean-jacques Rousseau, Swissborn French philosopher who introduced the concept of ”Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’’, dies insane in rural France. 1819
The Factory Act is passed in Britain, prohibiting employment of children under nine in textile factories, and preventing children under 16 from working more than 12 hours a day.
1900
The Zeppelin airship, held aloft by hydrogen, makes its maiden flight, over Lake Constance, Germany. 1937
US aviatrix Amelia Earhart and co-pilot Fred Noonan disappear over the central Pacific Ocean while trying to fly around the world. 1966
France sets off the first nuclear bomb at Mururoa Atoll in the South Pacific. It begins a series of tests which continues for 30 years. 1971
Evonne Goolagong (pictured), 19, beats defending champion Margaret Court, 27, a fellow Australian, 6-4, 6-1, in the Wimbledon women’s singles final.
1976
North and South Vietnam, divided since 1954, reunite to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Colombian soccer player Andres Escobar is slain in Medellin 10 days after he accidentally scored a goal against his team during a game against the US in a World Cup competition. 2002
Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly solo around the world non-stop in a balloon as he crosses longitude 117 degrees east in the Great Australian Bight.