The Sunshine Coast Region 2032 Sports Legacy Taskforce has provided a submission for The Games Independent Infrastructure Review Authority’s consideration ahead of any infrastructure and funding decisions.
In it they have highlighted the benefit for sporting infrastructure to be distributed across the region not only as a 2032 legacy but to meet the needs of the whole growing region.
At present the Taskforce is aware of representative basketball players travelling long distances for games and practise sessions and of at least one representative standard player being unable to register with a local club due to a shortage of courts in Noosa which also accommodates players from Coolum to Gympie. They know this situation is replicated across sports the length and breadth of the Sunshine Coast.
Established in 2021, the Taskforce is the only group on the Sunshine Coast that represents the sporting and athlete interests of the entire region which includes Gympie, Cooloola, Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay.
The Taskforce leadership group includes Olympians Dawn Fraser (Patron) and Benny Pike, Sunshine Coast Phoenix Basketball founding director Shane Truscott, Noosa Basketball committee member Naomi Todd, Sunshine Coast Ocean Rowing secretary Peter Watson, Sunshine Coast Hockey Association infrastructure development chair Warren Flower, University of Queensland Centre of Olympic Studies founding director Dr Ian Jobling, and sports historian and Brisbane sports commentator John McCoy.
“Sunshine Coast sport is not limited to one Local Government Area (LGA), and we actively encourage all councils to be coming together when researching, consulting with their communities; and making decisions or allocating funding for sporting infrastructure and initiatives for the region,” Taskforce chair Shane Truscott said.
“This, in combination with effective State and Federal relationships will ensue success.”
In its submission the Taskforce said it was “fully supportive” of an upgrade to the Sunshine Coast Outdoor Stadium in Bokarina and the expansion of the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre at Parklands.
It also advocates an upgrade to the Noosa (Girraween) Athletics Complex by way of a new synthetic track, and expansion of the Sunshine Coast Hockey Centre at Ballinger Park. It wants community-centric indoor sports stadiums to replace the proposed Kawana Indoor Sports Stadium, and the Sunshine Coast be strongly considered as host to Coastal Rowing, Life Saving and Triathlon events.
In August 2022 the World Rowing President stated that ‘the Beach Sprints format of Coastal Rowing is at the heart of our Olympic strategy to have Coastal Rowing included as a new discipline on the Olympic program for LA2028 and Brisbane 2032”. It has been included in Los Angeles and the success of the 2022 4-day inaugural Australian Championships in 2022 at Noosa Main Beach and subsequent National Titles at Mooloolaba in 2023 and 2024 was a great start to having the Coastal Rowing venue on the Sunshine Coast at the Games of the XXXV Olympiad in 2032.
Mr Truscott said the Taskforce recommends the following to ensure a legacy for the wider Sunshine Coast community, not just a select few.
• “We support a less capital-intensive upgrade to the Sunshine Coast Outdoor Stadium – the capacity of the western grandstand could easily be increased, and additional grandstand seating horse-shoed from the existing grandstand along the southern side towards the eastern grass area. This negates the need to demolish existing scoreboards, change rooms, etc. as outlined in another sporting entity’s submission to the authority.
• Noosa Girraween Sports Complex: The installation of an 8-lane synthetic track, meaning athletes and triathletes can train in preparation for events. This is ‘shovel-ready’ and merely needs funding.
• Sunshine Coast Hockey – Ballinger Park: Diverting funds from building temporary fields and spectator facilities at Ballymore in Brisbane to Ballinger Park which has an evidenced-need and making them permanent is a ‘win-win’ for hockey and taxpayer monies.
• Mountain Biking: The upgraded facility will help meet the demand – both before and after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will also support the growing demand for nature trails and nature-based recreational activities. It integrates the existing conservation park trail network and is the first step in the development of the region’s first nature-based recreational precinct.
• Triathlon: The Taskforce were recently dismayed to learn of the MOU between Triathlon Australia and the Gold Coast Council. Discussions should have occurred with Sunshine Coast and Noosa Councils prior to this decision as both already successfully host elite international Triathlons annually. If that decision is not ‘final’, the Taskforce strongly encourage and advocate both Noosa and Mooloolaba be added to the mix.
• Indoor stadium infrastructure: There is a need for additional Indoor sporting facilities. However, the Taskforce document states that creating a mega-stadium and expecting everyone to commute is not in the best interests of the majority of Sunshine Coast residents. Instead advocating for an “equitable spread across the region, which is more cost-effective and supports many more people in their local communities.”
The Taskforce strongly encourages serious consideration be given to overturning the previous government’s decision on the Kawana 11-court stadium, and redeploying that funding to other infrastructure, for the following reasons:
1. The Bokarina site is traffic constrained and already struggles to accommodate staging major events in conjunction with community sport and residential needs.
2. The decision to proceed with heavy rail means the passenger station would be two kilometres away and access to the stadium would require pedestrians and vehicles to travel along and across the already heavily congested Kawana Way and Main Drive from Station Road.
3. Early community consultation did not occur
4. Sporting club consultation did not initially occur.
5. Residents were not considered or engaged at any stage and are rightly concerned about the impact so much traffic will have on their travel times locally, curb side parking, and associated light pollution and noise implications.
6. There will be a further negative impact on traffic, congestion and parking access where the Dolphins NRL is required to relocate against their wishes.
7. There will also be a domino effect of pushing Kawana Rugby League to Meridan Plains. This in turn forces Caloundra Football Club from Meridan to Honeyfarm Road, which impacts Wanderers Football Club’s multi million dollar plans at Honeyfarm Road.
8. The Kawana Football fields are some of the best in Queensland and should not be torn up, especially when other more practical and cost-effective options are available.
The Taskforce has put forward an alternative and preferred option to the Kawana Stadium which includes:
Construction of an Events Centre in the Maroochydore Priority Development Plan locality as put forward in the 2021 IOC Feasibility Study, with upgrades to existing Sunshine Coast facilities or construction of additional indoor courts spread equitably across the Sunshine Coast region, servicing existing local competitions and planning for future growth.
Mr Truscott said as a major legacy of the 2032 Games this Events Centre would deliver:
• A multi-function Convention and Entertainment Centre with an indoor sunken show court within close proximity of the planned Athletes’ Village in the Maroochydore Town Centre. A world class facility capable of accommodating medium size conferences, concerts, and major indoor sport events which would be a huge boost to the region’s economy, employment, tourism, professional image, and lifestyle. As a major legacy of the 2032 Games because this centre would satisfy the strong demand from the lucrative meetings and incentives market and provide a venue to facilitate culturally enriched musical and theatrical performances, negating or reducing long commutes to events in Brisbane.
• Much better internet connectivity than the proposed Kawana site, due the duplication of the undersea cabling and the establishment of a Landing Station in Maroochydore Town Centre only metres from the proposed Event Centre.
• Greater potential for hosting major sporting events, as well as Olympic and Paralympic preliminaries.
To celebrate the legacy of this venue, the Taskforce propose housing an Olympic and Paralympic Sunshine Coast Hall of Fame, and honouring Sunshine Coast athletes by naming function rooms after Coast Olympians and Paralympians, e.g. the Clint Robinson Auditorium or the Jae King-Cross arena, within the Sunshine Coast Olympic Event Centre,” he said.
The Taskforce believes the Events Centre would need to be complemented and enhanced by the following proposed additional indoor courts, spread equitably across the region:
Elizabeth Daniels Sports Precinct:
• An additional 3 new courts funded jointly by the Clippers Basketball Club, Queensland Government, and Australian Federal Government.
• This venue is home to the Suncoast Clippers, the oldest and largest Basketball Club on the Sunshine Coast with over 1500 members – the Sunshine Coast (Phoenix) Basketball Association, Pickleball, Yoga, Little Kickers, Futsal and numerous school groups.
• The addition of 3 courts would double current capacity and allow the precinct to host greater numbers of indoor sports events, including NBL1 games, State Championships and Futsal Premier League games, promoting grassroots sport and social inclusion, as well as providing a world-class training venue for Olympic and Paralympic teams only minutes from the proposed Athletes Village/future affordable housing estate, and proposed Four- and Five-Star accommodation.
• It would continue to operate profitably, thereby repaying infrastructure loans and will cost ratepayers nothing.
Noosa’s New Stadium:
• A new 6-court venue in Noosa is required to address the current over-capacity at Noosa Leisure Centre and will provide a closer venue for growing Gympie and Fraser Coast LGAs to utilise.
• Currently, 10 Noosa indoor sports codes, all schools within the Shire, and three (3) community organisations share Noosa Shire’s only two available courts. It is now beyond its maximum capacity while all sports are growing, which is completely unsustainable as they are turning people, particularly youth, away.
• Noosa also accommodates players as far south as Coolum, and north to Gympie, Rainbow Beach and surrounds, making it a significant catchment area.
• This new stadium would allow Noosa to host greater numbers of indoor sports events, including NBL1 games, State Championships and Futsal Premier League games, promoting grassroots sport and social inclusion, as well as providing a world-class training venue for Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Caloundra Indoor Sports Centre:
The 2024 NBL 1 North Basketball Finals venue, which is the home of the Caloundra Heat and numerous other indoor sports clubs. Caloundra’s 4-court Stadium is a legacy of the 2000 Sydney Olympics but has now exceeded its capacity to service the local community’s needs. An additional 2 courts will enable increased participation and opportunity to host State Championships, international training camps, and be easily accessed by the proposed heavy rail and proposed upgraded road network [please refer to Appendix F]. South Caloundra:
• The proposed construction of a 4-court venue in South Caloundra as identified in the Sunshine Coast Council’s Endorsed Aura Sports Network Plan 2023 in precinct 10 South Bells Creek is due to be completed by 2036. However, this should be brought forward as there is already a demonstrated need in that region. This would provide easy access for South Caloundra, Landsborough, Beerwah and Glasshouse residents, who currently find accessing Morayfield Indoor Sports Centre easier than the proposed Bokarina site.
Mr Truscott said these indoor stadiums would also be available to host badminton, basketball, handball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, wrestling, volleyball, table tennis, pickleball and other training and preliminaries up to and including the 2032 Games.
“To this end, the Sunshine Coast LGA region would receive 9 additional courts to complement the 9 courts built since the 2019 SCRC’s infrastructure investigation was undertaken, and an additional 18 courts identified as needed by 2031,” he said.
“In addition, Noosa will gain 6 new courts to ease demand in the Northern reaches of the Sunshine Coast LGA, accommodate the demand in the Noosa LGA and assist with the growing demand from the Gympie and the Fraser Coast.
“Basketball Queensland require a minimum of 5 courts to host State Championships and Carnivals.
“By adopting this recommendation, two existing stadiums simply require an upgrade, with the third requiring construction. This means all three stadiums will meet the 6-court championship standard, creating multiple elite training facilities, attracting revenue from outside our region, and resulting in many more Sunshine Coasters accessing social and sporting opportunities close to their residence, removing logistical and financial barriers.”
In its submission the taskforce asserts in terms of achieving a legacy for the entire region, distributed infrastructure is the most sensible approach, which also ties in with state and local government focuses on providing a 2032 legacy, connecting our regions creating liveable communities and benefiting all Queenslanders.
Other benefits highlighted in the submission include:
Health and Fitness:
• The Sunshine Coast is home to a variety of yoga studios, fitness centres and wellness retreats that cater to people looking to improve their health. These establishments focus on not only physical fitness but also mental wellness. Noosa is regarded as a leader in this field and known for its regular outdoor fitness classes, such as boot camps, running clubs, and group exercise sessions, often held on the beach or in parks. It has recently benefited from the introduction of sports and recovery centres such as TH7 and IRC, meeting the needs of elite athletes. Noosa is the perfect spot for any athletes and teams wanting to be away from the noise and distraction of larger cities in the leadup to the Games and is the perfect spot for mindful preparation.
Running and Triathlons:
• For those into running, the Sunshine Coast offers a great environment with both flat and challenging terrain. The Noosa, and Mooloolaba Triathlons, are recognised as world class events, and attract thousands of participants every year. The events feature swim, cycle, and run, and have become an iconic part of the Coast’s active lifestyle.
Sustainable Living:
• Noosa has long led the now increasing focus on sustainability and eco-friendly living. The Sunshine Coast’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its local food culture, with many cafes and restaurants offering organic, locally sourced, and plant-based meals. Farmers’ markets are held regularly, promoting healthy eating. And we are becoming an increasingly eco-friendly and sustainable economy also, with businesses and social enterprises focused on bringing innovation to this space. Noosa’s New Stadium is intended to showcase what stadiums of the future can be, including a heavy emphasis on sustainability.
Mental Wellbeing:
• In addition to physical activities, Sunshine Coast’s active lifestyle also embraces mental wellness. The peaceful natural environment encourages mindfulness, relaxation, and meditation. The area has wellness centres offering yoga, meditation retreats, and holistic treatments to help balance the body and mind. This is a key consideration for Noosa Stadium initiative. While there are many options for adult individuals in the mental wellness space, without a stadium for our youth and indoor sports, we will fail to achieve this at a community level unfortunately.
Mr Truscott said this proposed principle of distributed infrastructure fits perfectly with the Sunshine Coast’s ethos of being ‘different by nature’ and will showcase to the world what next-gen community centric stadiums, sustainable by design in harmony with the Sunshine Coasts three UNESCO biospheres, could be.
“This blueprint would be a wonderful legacy for Brisbane 2032 and future Olympic and Paralympic games,” he said.
Taskforce member Naomi Todd stated: “yes, we are a regional area, and to a degree we accept that we may need to travel for harder-to-access items but none of us expected community sport would be a hard-to-access item; however we are increasingly finding ourselves travelling large distances just so our children can participate in grassroots sport, which essentially defeats the purpose, if it isn’t local”.
For additional information email scr32tforce@gmail.com
