FIVE-time Olympian Natalie Cook has urged the Redlands and Bayside to “think big and move quickly” to capitalise on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Redland City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to growing the Redlands Coast visitor economy, bringing together leaders from government and the tourism and events sector at the recent Redlands Coast Tourism and Events Forum at Sirromet.
“We have a 10-year runway, but really only two years to get this right,” Ms Cook said.
“If we don’t seize this opportunity now, we’ll regret it.
“Every business, every community group should be asking themselves: What’s my gold medal moment?
“Don’t get caught up in whether something is ‘Brisbane’ or ‘Redlands’. To the rest of the world, this is one connected region.”
Ms Cook said the Redlands’ role as a host city, particularly with the Olympic whitewater venue, would deliver a lasting impact.
“You’ll be an Olympic host city forever, not just for two weeks,” she said.
“That’s something most cities in the world can only dream of.”
The panel, which also included Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s General Manager, Destination, Marketing and Brand, Callum Wood, Redland City Council General Manager of Infrastructure and Operations Chris Isles, and Professor Judith Mair from The Hotel School Australia, Southern Cross University, agreed that Redlands needed to act decisively.
Mr Wood said the event’s potential to elevate the region’s profile was enormous.
“Research from the Sydney Olympics found that 87 per cent of people globally knew the Games were in Sydney,” he said.
“That tells us there’s an incredible opportunity to increase awareness of Brisbane and its surrounding regions.
“There’s an estimated $70 billion in economic impact from the Games over 20 years, with $40 billion in the Brisbane region. Our job is to convert that exposure into tangible benefits that flow across the region, including the Redlands.”
Mr Isles said the concept of “legacy” needed to be clearly defined and owned collectively by the community.
“Legacy isn’t just about a two-week event in 2032. It’s about creating opportunities that continue to benefit residents, businesses and visitors for decades,” he said.
“I like to think of legacy as a mural: Council can provide the wall, the canvas, but it’s the artists, entrepreneurs, businesses and residents who bring it to life.”
Mr Isles said the Redlands should be unapologetic about positioning itself as an Olympic city.
“The Chandler complex is geographically closer to us than much of Brisbane. I refer to it as Redlands West. Why not start claiming that now? The whitewater venue will forever carry Olympic status, and that’s powerful for our city’s brand,” he said.
Improved transport links, including an Eastern Metro busway extension, would also be critical to managing visitor numbers and supporting growth, Mr Isles said.
He added that international delegations would begin arriving well before 2032.
“From the handover in LA in 2028, we’ll see National Olympic Committees scouting venues and camps,” he said.
“We need to be ready to welcome them and showcase the Redlands’ tourism experiences, infrastructure and opportunities.”
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said the forum provided attendees with inspiration and strategies to help chart a course through the ever-evolving landscape of tourism and events.
“The forum was an outstanding avenue for collaboration and new ideas,” Mayor Mitchell said.
“From bush to bay, Redlands Coast has so much to offer visitors and even residents looking for the ultimate ‘staycation’.
