Noosa businesses have been urged to capitalise on the benefits of the upcoming 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.
Business leaders from across the Shire were urged to explore opportunities that will flow from the Olympics at a special Noosa Chamber of Commerce and Industry event held at Noosaville’s Boathouse on Tuesday (25 November).
Guest speakers included the Minister for Tourism and Environment, Andrew Powell MP, Noosa Council CEO and four-time Olympian Larry Sengstock, Chair and Deputy Chair of Sunshine Coast 2032 Roz White and Mal Brough and CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast Matt Stoeckel.
Mr Powell said there were many benefits for Noosa businesses and tourism as a result of Brisbane’s successful Olympics bid.
“It’s a green and gold runway,” he said. “It’s up to communities to get ready.”
“There’s going to be a lot of money for tourism but there are other opportunities.”
“We have a bold ambition to set up a 20-year tourism plan.”
“The opportunities that arise as a result of the Olympics are enormous.”
“As businesses, there’s many opportunities to seek contracts. There’s so much potential.”
He said many teams coming to the Olympics would set up pre-Games training camps, including in Noosa. “Teams will want to come here, but you’ve got to be ready for it. Go hunting for it.”
For example, Ms White added there would be 160 kilometres of temporary fencing required for the Games. “There will be a procurement process, but you can participate in this.”
Mr Sengstock, who played basketball in the Olympics in Moscow in 1980, Los Angeles in 1984, Seoul, South Korea in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992, said Council was keen to accommodate athletes as they prepare and train for the Games.
“It all comes back to upgrading our facilities. It’s the physio, the pool, the gym – all these preparatory things.”
“We need to make it easy for (the athletes) to come here.”
“We need to upgrade our facilities.”
“We’ve all got to be part of this.”
“We talk about the Olympics but we don’t often talk about the paralympics.”
“It’s a real opportunity for us as a tourism destination and a welcoming city.”
“Sporting clubs need to be prepared. We need to provide the infrastructure so that when the spike comes, we have the facilities.”
Mr Stoeckel said there were five unique opportunities for Noosa to capitalise on the upcoming Games.
He said there were many opportunities for accommodation, infrastructure, experience development, marketing and legacy.
