Wait for seat at Games table

GOLD Coast leaders are yet to hear whether the city will have a seat on the powerful organising committee for the 2032 Olympics.

It is due to be announced next week.

However, council insiders fear the host of nine sports will be snubbed after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk missed a deadline to alert the council of a future appointment.

The city has been snubbed once before creating massive drama in late December in which Mayor Tom Tate complained about the Council of Mayors making a “Brisbane knows best” decision.

Mr Tate wrote to the Premier after learning the local government spot on the 20-person board had gone to Redlands Mayor Karen Williams, despite that region overseeing one event – white-water rafting.

The Coast is branding itself as a co-host because it will have nine Olympic sports. LNP MPS Ray Stevens and Rob Molhoek have called on the Premier to make a captain’s call and nominate either Mr Tate or Deputy Mayor Donna Gates.

A political source said: “The Premier should have told the council by now. She had indicated she would make a decision before the end of the month. The announcement will be February 5. There has been silence.”

Mr Tate remains upbeat about the Coast’s chances given the city successfully hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“I know that the successful hosting of the GC2018 Games, as well as the accompanying Sportsaccord, was pivotal in the state and federal governments deciding to launch their 2032 bid. That is a huge credit to the Gold Coast and its people.

“Speaking with delegates, I also know that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) placed great emphasis, and value, on how well our city managed GC2018. In fact, the IOC changed their constitution to specifically allow a regional bid for the Games. I have little doubt that the 2032 bid would not have been successful if the Gold Coast wasn’t included. It would be ironic if we didn’t even get a seat on the SEQ Olympic 2032 board given our proven track record.”

Mr Tate said the Coast had would offer more venues than any other SEQ city, including Brisbane. “The venues we are offering up are all City-owned whereas most of the venues being identified in Brisbane are state-owned. Further, we are offering up our 700-camera CCTV network, disaster management unit and select staff to partner with pre-games planning.

“Sadly, we have already seen the first play-of-the-cards with the golf being moved from the Gold Coast to Brisbane.

“This move, without consulting the Gold Coast, came despite our city signing a venue agreement for Royal Pines as host venue for the golf. How is that fair to the people of the Gold Coast?’’