Redland City councillors have been shut out of attending key Olympic legacy planning meetings, with an advisory group deciding to keep sessions closed despite growing political interest in how the region prepares for the 2032 Games.
The decision was revealed in a report from the Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group following its January 30 meeting at the Birkdale Community Precinct.
During the meeting, Mayor Jos Mitchell advised members that councillors had expressed interest in attending meetings as observers.
However, group members agreed that because the working group had only recently recommenced operations late last year, meetings should remain limited to members for now.
Instead, the Mayor will provide updates to councillors through scheduled Mayor/Councillor briefings.
The Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group is an advisory body tasked with helping Council plan how the region benefits from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Members include representatives from high-performance sport, disability and accessibility advocacy, sustainability, transport, tourism, business and community sectors.
While the observer decision was a notable governance discussion, the January meeting also marked progress on shaping the region’s long-term Olympic legacy planning.
A key outcome was member support for progressing earlier vision work into a formal Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Roadmap.
Council officers presented draft vision material developed in earlier stages of planning and outlined next steps to transition that into a structured legacy plan aligned with Council’s new Corporate Plan 2026–2031, which comes into effect from July.
The working group also updated its Terms of Reference to ensure they align with the new Corporate Plan, which identifies the Brisbane 2032 Games as a major opportunity to deliver long-term infrastructure, boost sport and recreation facilities, strengthen the local economy and support population growth across Redlands Coast.
Members also received a presentation from the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority on progress toward the proposed Redland Whitewater Centre.
The project has moved to an Expression of Interest phase for design following a joint Australian and Queensland Government announcement in late 2025.
If it proceeds, the facility is expected to be one of the region’s most significant Olympic-related infrastructure projects.
The meeting also included updates on recent Games-related engagement, including visits to Redlands Coast by international sport and government representatives, and confirmed the working group will continue meeting on a bi-monthly basis.
The report notes the working group operates in an advisory capacity only, with members serving on an honorary basis and legacy planning work funded through existing Council operational budgets.
Councillors will consider the meeting summary at the February 18 General Meeting, where the officer recommendation is for Council to formally note the report rather than make any new policy or funding decisions.
The working group is scheduled to meet again on March 13, with further updates expected to return to Council later in the year as legacy planning for the 2032 Games continues to develop.
