The head of Brisbane 2032 says Queensland is getting on with preparations for the Olympic Games, after the state government was forced to deny it sought advice on cancelling the global event.
The show of faith by Andrew Liveris comes after the Labor government on Monday ignored a key recommendation of a games infrastructure review to build a new $3.4 billion stadium at Victoria Park.
Premier Steven Miles has instead opted for a $1.6 billion project to upgrade Suncorp Stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre for track and field events.
Mr Liveris said the organising committee will “fit the games to the region” and focus on keeping to the timeline and budget ahead of the event, which kicks off on July 23 2032.
“What we’ve got to do is get on with the cost analysis, the due diligence, the timeline and then fulfil our commitments against delivering the best and biggest event on earth in our part of the world,” he told Nine’s Today program on Wednesday.
The commitment comes after the state government denied a Nine News report on Tuesday that it had considered cancelling the games due to venue costs and suggestions public support was waning.
Premier Steven Miles’ office said the government had never sought advice about cancelling the Olympic and Paralympic games.
“We’ve always said Queensland would deliver a great games,” a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
“Not once did the government ever have the intention to cancel the games.”
Mr Liveris also said he wasn’t concerned by the criticism of some sporting infrastructure, adding that what’s being proposed will provide a legacy for southeast Queensland beyond the games.
“We were committed to 85 per cent of the venues either being in place or temporary – that’s the new norm of the Olympics and we are indeed the smallest place to ever put these games on,” he said.
The government has accepted the majority of the infrastructure review’s 30 recommendations.
The review was led by former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk.
Source: AAP