The World Union of Olympic Cities and its Members are pleased to welcome the City of Sunshine Coast and the City of Gold Coast, Co-Hosts of the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympic Games, as new Members of the association. What are your expectation for this membership? 

Mayor Natoli: It is a privilege and indeed an honour for the Sunshine Coast to be part of the World Union of Olympic Cities and to have the opportunity to establish strong global relationships. I look forward to drawing on the wealth of knowledge the Union offers through its members, who have had the unique privilege of hosting or experiencing an Olympic and Paralympic Games. The support this membership will provide will be invaluable as we embark upon sustainable legacy planning in our region to enhance the benefits and opportunities that will flow from this amazing event.

Mayor Tate: City of Gold Coast is honoured to be accepted as a member of the World Union of Olympic Cities. I hope that becoming a member of the World Union of Olympic Cities can assist us with strategic guidance and the support network to ensure we leverage, as a City, the social improvements and community benefits that an international event of this caliber can provide. The Union plays a critical role in connecting past and future host cities, the International Olympic Committee and international sport communities.

The names of your cities (Gold Cost and The Sunshine Coast), inspire people to dream! The Sunshine Coast will be home to four key venues and nine Olympic and Paralympic events. Gold Coast will be home to six venues and thirteen key Olympic and Paralympic events. What qualities do your cities possess which lead to their taking part in the largest sports event in the world? 

Mayor Natoli: The Sunshine Coast boasts spectacular natural assets, with more than 100km of famous coastline wrapping around our lush hinterland hills. Our vibrant environment is balanced with a thriving economy and strong connection to sport and recreation. In 2022, the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area was declared a Biosphere by UNESCO, recognising the region as an international site of excellence and an area of natural beauty. Our climate, beaches and natural surrounds offer a remarkable cross-training opportunity, attracting athletes from all sports, and all corners of the world, to our unique region.

Mayor Tate: Our city’s climate and natural landscape are its gravitating force; inspiring people to live, visit and be physically active on the Gold Coast. Along with the beaches, waterways, and mountains, we enjoy a tremendous legacy from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and are well placed to play a major role in delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Brisbane 2032) maximising further legacy opportunities for the city. We are a well-known sporting destination for everyone – in 2022 the Gold Coast was ranked 26 in a list of the world’s top sporting cities. With the sport economy generating $747 million gross regional product, there is an opportunity for Gold Coast to build on this strong foundation with the commitment and coordinated efforts of the city’s sport and wellness organisations, businesses and leaders.

Most of the events The Sunshine Coast will host are outdoor events (cycling, marathon, walking races, sailing). What is your vision for combining the preservation of the environment with major sport event hosting?

Mayor Natoli: Sunshine Coast Council is proud and excited to be a Co-host City and delivery partner in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032 and this is just another way we continue to authentically achieve our vision of being Australia’s most sustainable region. We are committed to striking a balance between the natural and the built environment. We are also supporting a strong economy, with diverse communities to maintain the liveability of the region, as it’s the foundation to our Sunshine Coast way of life. The delivery of sporting infrastructure in preparation for Brisbane 2032 is another step forward in achieving this balance – providing important opportunities for increased participation in sport in locations that offer minimal environmental impact.

Gold Coast will have two temporary venues in addition to four existing venues.  What reflections have led to the choice of temporary venues in terms of cost, sustainability, and legacy? 

Mayor Tate: Traditionally the beach volleyball, triathlon and marathon swim venues are hosted using temporary facilities. For the Gold Coast this will allow our world renowned beaches, stunning Broadwater and the adjacent parklands to be showcased to the world during these most special events and then restored to be the treasured natural asset for enjoyment of the wider community and visitors.

The Olympic Games will take place in eight years. This can seem very far in the future. How do you prepare both for the hosting of the Games and the long-term legacies you desire for your citizens? 

Mayor Natoli: The Sunshine Coast is now part of an incredible, once-in-a-generation journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032. We want our Sunshine Coast community to benefit from this exciting opportunity and for our 2032 Games involvement to deliver benefits before, during and after this global event. The infrastructure planned for our region to host Olympic events will be world-class competition venues with the highest level of accessibility. These venues have been in the pipeline for many years – long before the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032 were awarded to Brisbane – and stand to benefit our region long after the Games take place. The venues will provide elite competition and training facilities for our local athletes, increase participation in sports and recreation across the region, and will have capacity to host major sporting events, attracting more tourism dollars for our local industries. Legacy for the Sunshine Coast is so much more than just the infrastructure needed for the Games. The actions that can make a real and valued impact on anyone, from grassroots communities to elite athletes, will make the difference to our community. They cover all the social, accessibility, sporting, environment, economic and infrastructure dimensions, working together for a long-term benefit and a better region now and for future generations.

Mayor Tate: There is so much opportunity that comes from co-hosting the world known brand of Olympics and Paralympics. To ensure that we focus and target opportunities that will have the maximum benefit for the city, we have developed a 2032 Gold Coast Legacy Framework, which outlines our Legacy Aspirations under four Legacy Themes – Connected Gold Coast, Healthy and Green Gold Coast, Future Gold Coast, and Inclusive Gold Coast. This was based on feedback from 23,000 residents. Our ambitions are unapologetically high as we advocate for legacy outcomes that will enhance, accelerate and improve the Gold Coast well beyond 2032. Most importantly, we understand that Legacy starts now. We are getting on with the job in terms of creating legacy that will ensure the city is prepared to host a great Games.