Transcript - doorstop - Sunshine Coast Stadium, Bokarina, Qld

GRACE GRACE [QLD MINISTER]: Thanks for joining us. Well, good morning, everyone. It's great to be here on the Sunshine Coast. And can I acknowledge some of the people standing behind me. We've got Senator Anthony Chisholm, Senator for Queensland and Assistant Minister for Regional Development. And obviously we know the Federal Government is partners with the State Government in delivering the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have Councillor Rosanna Natoli, the Sunshine Coast Mayor. Can I thank Rosanna for being here. Mr Andrew Liveris, President of the Brisbane 2032 games Organising Committee. It's wonderful to have Andrew here, who was very excited at today's announcement. I have Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt, and out of all of them, I think Jason is the one that's done the biggest jumping in the air in regards to being here today for this great project. Can I also welcome Dr Bridie Kean, Chair of the Sunshine Coast Legacy Plan and Chef de Mission Paris 2024. Great to have you here, Dr Bridie Kean. And obviously the Paralympic Games is such an important piece of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Can I also welcome representatives from Melbourne Storm, Sunshine Coast Lightning, Sunshine Coast Phoenix, Sunshine Coast Falcon, and Kawana Waters State College Football Excellence Program. We were talking to the students from the Kawana Waters Sunshine State College, and it's just been fantastic to have them here this morning as well. Now this is a real announcement. We are firing the starters gun for procurement on sporting venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. More than $560 million in contracts will be going to market in a staged approach because we need to make sure we don't disrupt some sports, that we allow the market to plan it, but it's very exciting. These four venues that we're announcing today will be supporting more than 1000 local jobs. The first two contracts go to market on Monday. They will be right where we're standing here. The Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade, an absolutely fantastic upgrade to this facility. And the Indoor Sports Centre and the precinct work at Chandler. So we're also spending significant funds on that indoor sports centre and the precinct work the Chandler with the Aquatic Centre soon following there, with major upgrades to the pool and area there at Chandler. There will be industry briefings this afternoon with over 70 businesses already and we will be prioritising local businesses as per our Q2032 procurement strategies. So we've got 70 businesses that will be briefed about the program of works that is coming out. And obviously we want to ensure that as many local businesses as possible share in this fantastic $560 million of work soon to be going out to market. The contracts will go to market represents just over a quarter of the around $1.9 billion in the minor venues program. By the end of 2024 we're hoping to have half of the 15 minor venues already out to market. This is a remarkable achievement when you consider that the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games didn't even have a master plan until five years out from the Games. So it really is great work. For businesses, obviously there's a lot more to come with the benefits of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. And they're getting match fit ready to share in over $180 billion worth of government contracts, which is the benefits and the lasting legacy benefits that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring to Brisbane and of course the surrounding area, namely the Sunshine Coast. We are going to put on a Games that we are going to be proud of. It's going to be a lasting legacy for these areas. And as Minister now responsible, I'm so excited that we're able to announce this this morning. So let me just give you a little bit more context. There’s Chandler precinct. There'll be upgrades to the indoor sports centre, multipurpose courts, gymnastic facility, 10,000 spectator seats. The precinct works will be connecting those venues there. And there'll be substantial investment in that to make sure that we've got accessibility, ease of movement and bringing that facility right up to a modern a Olympic and Paralympic standard. And then the Aquatic Centre will have new seating, upgrades. It will be absolutely remarkable by the time it's finished, and we'll be looking at going out soon. We're also looking at the cost of ensuring that when we deliver this we have the lasting legacy. So the Sunshine Coast stadium will have two new grandstands. We have some wonderful pictures that demonstrate what that will look like. Permanent seating will go from the current 1000 that we see before us to 10,000 plus seating permanently. And we'll have some temporary seating, up to 20,000 for the Games. We’ll have better amenities, changing rooms, improved disability access, new function room and offices. And when the students play here, they'll be playing in a stadium I know they will be proud of. The Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Stadium too is part of the formal venues. A remarkable facility that will be here with lasting legacy. 11 multi-purpose courts, 6000 seating, additional car parking, you know, some wonderful facilities for the community, this growing area. And we're looking forward to obviously delivering that well ahead of the Games so that people can benefit from that infrastructure before the Olympics and Paralympics actually arrive here in 2032. We'll also get an Olympic standard Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre. We'll be upgrading those cross country Olympic mountain bike trails. They'll be at a world standard, and we're looking forward to delivering those as well. Contracts go to market progressively so that we can now meet the market needs. A phased approach is what industry feedback gave to us. And as I said, 70 businesses, over 70 businesses will be briefed today on the opportunities of these procurement strategy going forward. So as Minister, I'm very excited to be here today. Thank you, everyone. And we're looking forward. And I'll hand over now to Senator Anthony Chisholm.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Thanks, Minister Grace. It's great to be here with you all. The Mayor, Dr Liveris, and also Jason Hunt, the State Member for Caloundra, as well as their fantastic representatives from all the community sport that will benefit from this precedent as well. It's a real honour for me to be here representing the Federal Government for this such, what is such an exciting announcement. And I think there's so many reasons to be excited about this. You think about the construction that's going to happen of the new grandstands, the indoor facility over my shoulder. And the young people that will be coming past and go, what's going on there. Why is that stadium being built? Why is that grandstand going up? Why is that indoor facility going up? And their parents will be able to say because we're going to be Olympic venues. And then when they're built, they'll have the opportunity to use it. And that's fantastic, because we know that this is a growth area. So many of these sports are growing, they need to use these facilities and the Sunshine Coast deserves those facilities. And then some of those young children will grow and become athletes at the Olympics. And these venues would have inspired them and given them the opportunity to go on and be Olympic athletes in 2032. And then in the decades after the Olympics, the ongoing legacy for this community to ensure that these facilities will be used here, the mountain bike trails, and Chandler as well. So it is really exciting to know that soon, we will see a grandstand coming out of the ground, we'll see an indoor facility start to come out of the ground, and the community on the Sunshine Coast can start to get excited about what the Olympics for Queensland will mean and the opportunities it will, it will provide. So the Federal Government are pleased to play our part. We're really excited about the opportunity for Queensland and the country that the 2032 Olympics will bring. Thank you.

ROSANNA NATOLI [SUNSHINE COAST MAYOR]:Thank you, Senator and good morning, everyone. May I start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today the Gubi Gubi people and the Yinneburra people of the Southern Hinterland. I'd also like to acknowledge and welcome here to the Sunshine Coast The Honourable Minister Grace Grace, Senator Anthony Chisholm, also the wonderful Dr Andrew Liveris, AO President of the Board of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Delighted to have you here. Jason Hunt, the Member for Caloundra. My fellow Sunshine Coast councillor colleagues, I have Maria Suarez, Jenny Broderick, Tim Burns, Ted Hungerford, Taylor Bunnag, and Terry. Thank you for being here. Dr Bridie Kean, Paralympian and Chair of the Sunshine Coast 2032 Legacy Community Reference Group. Representatives of the Sunshine Coast Lightning, the Melbourne Storm, the Sunshine Coast Falcons, the Sunshine Coast Phoenix, and of course, a big hello to Kawana Waters State College who are playing behind us. Thank you all for being here on our beautiful sunshine coast this morning. And it is truly a great day for the Sunshine Coast today. Today's announcement is almost $300 million for our Olympic venues. And this signals the largest ever investment in community sporting infrastructure our region has ever seen. That is an incredible day for the people of the Sunshine Coast. This funding follows years of research and planning. And it demonstrates the importance of these venues for our region. They will deliver lasting economic and social benefits before the Games, for years before the Games, during the Games, and then again for decades after the Games. The research clearly shows our community and our region is deserving, and in need of these facilities. Indeed, we've been crying out for these facilities. So today is such an exciting day. And I know that our community will embrace these facilities, these new venues because they are first and foremost community venues for the people of the Sunshine Coast, as we lead into hosting the Games in 2032. Each will provide high quality competition and training facilities for our local athletes. They'll increase participation in sports and recreation across the region. And we will have the capacity to host major events, major sporting events right here on the Sunshine Coast. This in turn attracts more tourism dollars and that benefits all of our local businesses, their staff, and the flow on effects to our local community is enormous. Funding for these venues is the direct and welcome result of our role as co-host city for Brisbane 2032. And I absolutely acknowledge and thank the Queensland and Australian governments for their contributions here today that make this entirely possible for the community of the Sunshine Coast. And when we host those Olympic and Paralympic events during the Games, these venues will shine on an international stage. We will shine on an international stage and as you can tell the people of the Sunshine Coast are ready and so very excited to be part of this journey and to be there in 2032 and beyond. It's infrastructure we've needed for a long time. And I want to be absolutely clear, the three venues we're talking about on the Sunshine Coast are being built for our community. They will provide a place to train, a place to play, a place to watch our favourite teams come here to the Sunshine Coast, a place to cheer on our children, our grandchildren from the sidelines, our seniors, our masters. Everyone will be welcome and we'll be cheering loudly for them all. To be first off the blocks in securing Games infrastructure is also very exciting. We will see coming out of the ground right here, these facilities and that's why this is such a great day for the community and for the people of the Sunshine Coast. We’ll see our vision for positive Games legacy come to fruition sooner and be enjoyed by our community for longer. We won't have to wait as long as many others. We'll be able to play, to enjoy these facilities sooner and for longer. If you've lived on the Sunshine Coast for a long time, you will know that this journey that this council has been on to secure the upgrade of the Sunshine Coast Stadium, and today, we’ll finally be going to tender. It is absolutely a great honour to be here and do that today. It is finally happening. $148 million expansion of the stadium will start later this year. It will create 650 jobs in the construction, making it the first of what we know will be many great benefits to flow on from these Games. The new indoor sports centre is an important piece of infrastructure that will meet our growing demand here on the Sunshine Coast. We have a current shortfall of infrastructure and sporting infrastructure, and this will go towards meeting those needs. It will provide an opportunity to design and construct a facility that is leading edge in accessibility to accommodate many para-sports para-athletes and spectators in our region. And then finally, the new mountain bike centre as well at Parklands is a key legacy opportunity, our region's first nature-based recreation project in our beautiful hinterland as well. A place for mountain biking, trail running bushwalking horse riding and multi-sports events. How fantastic does that sound? Creating a network of adventure experiences across the Sunshine Coast region, and as I said, in our Hinterland. I'd like to thank the Queensland and Australian governments again, and acknowledge that without their support venues of this size, boasting the state of the art facilities and accessibility would simply not be possible here on the Sunshine Coast. With eight years to go until Brisbane 2032, I'm absolutely thrilled that we are already seeing amazing outcomes for our community. And we will continue to work very hard to maximise every opportunity afforded to our Sunshine Coast. And I'd like to acknowledge and thank the officers of the Sunshine Coast Council who have worked alongside the state and federal government officers. Thank you all for bringing this to fruition, and everything you've done to make this happen for the Sunshine Coast today. Thank you.

ANDREW LIVERIS [PRESIDENT BRISBANE 2032]: Thank you, Madam Mayor. And thank you, Minister Grace, Senator Chisholm. In particular, thanks to the Kawana Water sports team that's here. This is all about you, your generation. And Bridie Kean, so great to be back to see you. She was instrumental in winning the Games as a paralympic athlete and medallist. One of the first persons I met coming up here, when we brought our board here for our first Brisbane Organising Committee board meeting. We had it here on the Sunshine Coast. The thematic of today and what the Minister and the Mayor, Senator Chisholm have talked about, I wouldn't have missed this moment for the world. We're going to remember this moment for our Games, our regional Games, our Brisbane 2032 and Queensland Games, and Australia's Games, we're going to remember this moment. We're going to remember it because our two governments, federal and state, have stepped up and began the movement to change the legacy of this region for our community, for our children, and the next generation that follows, and for all of you to participate in something that is rare. We will be an Olympic city, an Olympic region. And we will be there in 2032 by doing all the planning, and all the work now, in that gift that we were given, which is 10 years out, now almost eight, as already noted. In those two years, and in the next few years, you're going to see the narrative of what it really means to bring the world to us. We're going to have an opportunity to see that firsthand in that most amazing city, Paris. Our representatives who will be there will be observers, will be learning. As will your mayor when she makes the trip. We're going to be there watching what they do to bring Paris to the world. But everybody knows Paris. Everybody knows Los Angeles. And everyone's going to know the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, the Darling Downs, Brisbane, and Queensland when we're done with this. This is going to be extraordinary. A highlight reel moment for generations of Australians, just like Sydney, and just like Melbourne in 56. To let out contracts, to begin the process, to release the funds, to benefit local suppliers and vendors and businesses, and to create the jobs is not a trivial statement. That's a commitment. And that commitment isn't just to put these Games on. In fact, that commitment is to build the legacy. These renovations and changes and new stadiums will be ready well before the Olympics, so that the community of the Sunshine Coast can benefit from that legacy well before the Olympics themselves. That's what the new norms is. The Games fits the region and the city, not the other way around. What we're going to do is deliver the best event ever, the best experience ever. And for that, the team that's working on this, our partners, federal and state government, and your council, and your leadership, have put in the hard efforts to make that start to happen. You will soon see when we beam in from Paris and see our amazing heroes and heroines winning medals. And you'll see the feel-good moment that we'll bring. And then fast forward eight years and you're going to feel it right here, right here. And so, for me, I would just like to congratulate everyone that's got us here. And I can tell you, your Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee is working furiously to bring the learnings of not just Paris and Los Angeles, but absolutely bring the attributes of this amazing location in the world called the Sunshine Coast, to our event. Thank you. And I really appreciate the opportunity.

JASON HUNT [QLD MP]: Thank you very much. I'll just talk you through this week for the Sunshine Coast. So on Monday, I was with the Premier in Caloundra, talking about a multi-billion dollar project in Sunshine Coast passenger rail that was at the start of the working week. And here we are at the end of the regular working week, talking about hundreds of millions of dollars of co-contribution for the Sunshine Coast as it pertains to our Olympic and sporting legacy infrastructure projects. That's not a bad week for the Sunny Coast, I have to say. And it's a real demonstration of the state and federal government's commitment to our region, that serious coin being invested in our region. And that will be intergenerational and regional shaping in every sense of the word. And I'm really, really delighted to have played a part in it. I’d like to welcome all of the dignitaries who are here today, I won't go through naming them, you all know who you are. I will however single out Sunshine Coast local legend Bridie Kean for her work and her advocacy, not just in the fields of sport but as an ambassador for the Sunshine Coast. These projects are going to be leveraged off not just by the major sporting clubs on the Sunshine Coast, but literally hundreds of sporting clubs and community groups right around the Sunshine Coast for generations to come. I welcome the investment on the Monday, we'll hook up the investment on the Friday. It's been a really good week. Thank you all for coming.

GRACE: They're already asking what next week is going on for next week. Thank you. Thank you very much, everyone. And we're happy to answer any questions to any of us really, if you like?

REPORTER: How important a role was it the Sunshine Coast is the first to kick it off their forward planning? They have been going for a long time, when you compare it to what's going on in Brisbane, it's vastly different. 

GRACE: No, I think that when you consider that there are a number of minor venues that we have to deliver. We'd be working with all of those local councillors, and can I welcome the new mayor, in relation to the words that she said. We are now ploughing ahead with this. We've been working with councils from around a number of areas in relation to delivering this infrastructure for the Games. And it's just wonderful that we've landed here on the Sunshine Coast and down at Chandler in Brisbane, where we're announcing $560 million worth of projects. That does not happen overnight. That takes a lot of consultation. That takes a lot of planning. And there's many people here today that have been all part of that. So, we really welcome this announcement. We want to get on with it. We want to make sure the community can use this facilities before 2032. That's exactly what we're announcing today.

REPORTER: Minister, just on Brisbane, the Gabba will it need a renovation to work to be rebuilt? 

GRACE: Yeah, look, we've said right from the start that the Gabba we are working through a validation report with the Gabba, we will be discussing with Stadiums Queensland, cricket AFL, about their needs into Gabba. There was always money to be spent now on Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba, but can I categorically say there is no proposal to spend $1.1 billion and reduce seating. Not going to happen, never has been a proposal. And we really should not be speculating on baseless rumours. 

REPORTER: Has your Department been made aware that there's reports it needs work? 

GRACE: We've always known that the Gabba requires work. And we are now working through a balanced process about what that work will entail. And we're looking forward to working with our stakeholders, 

REPORTER: Can you give us a figure on how much it will cost? 

GRACE: Well, we've got around, I think, a billion dollars that we're talking about for upgrades to Suncorp Stadium, which is going to be fantastic. And around about the same block, we're not sure exactly how that's going to go. And we are in partnership with the Commonwealth Government with that as well. But it will mean that they will get some transformation money there. We're working its very early days. The Premier always said it will take some time for us to land on exactly what that's going to look like. But we'll be well and truly prepared for 2030. 

REPORTER: Are you going to reduce seating?

GRACE: Absolutely ruled out, not going to happen.

REPORTER: Can you give us a breakdown on the three projects? How much money for each one? 

GRACE: I think we would rather just talk about globally, because we're going out to market and it's $560 million across these four venues. I think the Mayor said it's about $300 million on the two venues here. And, you know, obviously they are significant infrastructure money that's going to be spent, but we're going out to tender. And I think I'll leave it at that. 

REPORTER: [inaudible] the track lines only go up to Caloundra. How are people going to get here? 

GRACE: Well, 500, or sorry, $5.5 billion worth of infrastructure investment in that train line. And my understanding is and the notes that I have. The briefing that I've got is that the transport minister is working on bus transportation to take us to that station. It's an incredible investment for the Sunshine Coast. And I think as local member Jason Hunt has said $5.5 billion, 50-50 with the Commonwealth and the state to bring a train line to Caloundra is not a bad week.

REPORTER: Are you planning on bus infrastructure and other public transport infrastructure that will come from more funding before the Games for this venue?

GRACE: Of course. We will be having we will be debating the independent authority legislation that's before the house next week. They will then set a task of setting a transport and mobility plan. Part of that plan that they will be development will of course, talk about all the connectivity required for transportation to the 2032 Olympic Games, accessibility connectivity, that is all part of it. 

REPORTER: Minister, Toowoomba has lost $80 million in funding to upgrade their sports grounds. Would you consider cases for different venues like the equestrian centre so the Darling Downs can still take part?  

GRACE: No, we have endorsed the recommendations, 27 of 30, of the review. And we are backing in that at the moment. That is our priority. They are the venues that will be going ahead. I welcome the various regional councils that are reviewing some of the works in their area. I believe Redland Shire, just recently endorsed the white water, you know, facility that we're building down there, which is really welcome use. We've got support here from the council for what we're doing here. That's our priority. And that's what we're ploughing ahead. 

REPORTER: It's been three years since we got the Games. [inaudible] for QSAC? 

GRACE: I'm sorry, QSAC has only just come out of the review just recently. We are working on that. I mentioned that before. They are the issues that we will be working through on the project validation reports. We'll be working with our partners, the Australian Government in regards to that. We will be taking advice from the IOC expert infrastructure and the AOC as well. And we are really looking forward to all of that work taking place.

REPORTER: Can you give me a rough breakdown on that $300 million for the Sunshine Coast projects, the three projects. How much state, federal, council contributes?

GRACE: It's all 50-50 with the Federal Government.

REPORTER: So council doesn’t pay a cent?

GRACE: My understanding is there is some money but I'll refer to the Mayor on exactly. I think there's some funding that's coming but to be accurate or put you on to the mayor.

REPORTER: [inaudible] if you could answer that?

NATOLI: Yeah, absolutely. So we have three projects for the Sunshine Coast, and we have approximately almost $150 million for the stadium. A similar amount for the indoor sports centre, and then we are looking at funding for the mountain bike centre as well. So that comes to nearly $300 million contributed by the state and federal governments. And the Sunshine Coast Council has budgeted $17 million as our contribution that has been funded in our budgets over a number of years, that was already budgeted for. So that is an extraordinary return on our investment to have those facilities built here on the Sunshine Coast, for our communities in the lead up to 2032 and beyond. 

REPORTER: Question for Andrew? Oh sorry, sorry.

NATOLI: Sorry?

REPORTER: Indoor sports centre will need relocating to [inaudible] what’s [inaudible] why would [inaudible]?

NATOLI: Okay, so we looked at a number of sites right across the Sunshine Coast over a number of years, there has been extensive planning and research into that. And we are working with the Dolphins to make sure that they are transitioned to a new space with facilities, and we continue to work with them to make sure that that transition happens in a way that is going to benefit their club in the best way possible.

REPORTER: Have you found a ground or a home for the Falcons to play in the state league, in rugby league? Have you found a home for them going forward for the rest of this season and onwards?

NATOLI: So of course, the Falcons who normally pay at play here on the field behind us will need to relocate. So we are working with them and all of the people involved to make sure that they are able to continue to play and to continue to serve as our Sunshine Coast community.

REPORTER: Council Jamieson when Mayor was on the front foot with this from 2015 when he first got involved. How important was it the council has been doing planning. And is it's no probably mistake that they're the first to announce projects here. It's the work they've put in? 

NATOLI: Absolutely. Our council has been working on this for quite some time. And you can see by the number of councillors who are here, the CEO is here. Our council officers are here. Because this is so important to our community. These people have been working on it for years working alongside the state, and Commonwealth governments. And all of those people are here today. Because we are so very proud of this announcement. It's really important for our community. And the fact that we are getting these facilities here, this legacy infrastructure that was see us ready years before the games able to use these facilities for years before the games, then hosting the Games, bringing the world to the Sunshine Coast, and then for the decades beyond. So, the benefit, the legacy to the people of the Sunshine Coast, to businesses on the Sunshine Coast to tourism on the Sunshine Coast. It's immeasurable.

REPORTER: Can you squeeze an athletics track here in case Brisbane doesn't get their act sorted?

NATOLI: Well, you know what? Let's keep it all on the table. We would welcome anything here on the Sunshine Coast, let's work to bring it all here. 

GRACE: The answer is no!

NATOLI: The answer is maybe!

REPORTER: What’s being considered in terms of boosting accommodation for the influx [inaudible]?

NATOLI: Okay. So obviously, we're working with industry and business partners to make sure that we are ready in every possible way for 2032. There's a lot of work happening across all of the different departments at council, and of course with the state and federal governments as well to make sure that we are ready, absolutely ready, whether that's accommodation, whether that's transport, of course, the facilities will be ready many years in advance. And we are all working really hard to make sure that the Sunshine Coast is on show and that the people of the world will see what a fantastic location and destination we are. Anyone else for me? No? Moving on.

REPORTER: There's more reports today about the viability of the Gabba, are you frustrated by the ongoing debate about this and do you think they've got it right?

LIVERIS: The word frustration is not in my vocabulary. What I do is solve problems as presented to us. We don't have a problem right now. We are waiting for the results of the detailed studies that the minister talked about. I'm in regular contact with the IOC, Thomas Bach, Kirsty Coventry, the people who are watching to make sure we deliver according to the specifications of the Athlete Federations. It's very important to know that that dialogue is going absolutely totally with the State Government and frankly, the Federal Government as well. What I keep getting from people like Thomas Bach and others, there's no master plan at bid that resembles the master plan and implementation. So please be ready for the ebbs and flows of changes that are necessary for the most important part of all of this conversation, which is the legacy for the community, well beyond any Olympics or Paralympics. And I think we will allow the work to be done so that we can then see the ramification to what sports ends up happening, whether it's at the Gabba, QSAC or any other [inaudible] venues, stadium like that.

REPORTER: So are you saying you're not certain that it won't be the Gabba?

LIVERIS: Actually, [inaudible] you said it in a double negative way. I am absolutely certain, we're going to get details and evidence that tells us what events we can hold where, and remember, 27 have been endorsed, look at where we are, we've got an endorsement here, right here. So I'm not concerned at all that we're going to have to titrate one or the other, we're going to get the details. And we'll work it out from there on the events.

REPORTER: As a problem then, what do you say should happen with that Gabba?

LIVERIS: Oh, God, you know, leading questions like that. I'm a fact-based problem solver. So I want to see the details, I want to see the costings, I want to see the impacts to stadium size. And, you know, obviously, the impact revenue. Those are the details the Minister referred to. So, let's not jump the gun. I mean, we've got work being done. I'm very, very thankful that what's been going on lately with the independent authority, the delivery authority, the legislation around that, we've been joined at the hip to make sure that nothing drops through the cracks it literally. So we'll see, I will look at the details with the Board, report to the IOC. And our delivery partners who, by the way, this week, stepped up on the federal side and the state side and said we're committed to delivering the money. We should not neglect that. I mean, I sent that text immediately. Federal Government's in. They've signed, it's in the budget. Last time I checked. State government in. Okay, so this is important. This is a three-way partnership here. Okay? It's not a private funded or public funded Games. It's a three-way partnership between state and federal and city council, and the IOC.

REPORTER: The state election is only a few months away, do you feel a bit of a holding pattern until then until you know what is happening after that?

LIVERIS: But to extrapolate your point 70 per cent of the free world is having elections this year. If I spent my time worrying about what the outcomes of those elections was, nothing would be done. So, we were working on the planning processes, okay, agnostic to any changes that may or may not happen. And I will never…not speculate on that. I think it's very important to understand process of planning are foundational, we're spending three years now this third year, we've just entered, get into planning, we've got a game delivery plan, we've got a game strategy, we've got a games organisational plan, we're working on the reconciliation action plan, we've got the sustainability plan launched and going, we've got in First Nations plans, we've just put on four interns. One of them’ s here around us somewhere to work with us on the branding and the emblem plan, all that has been signed off by IOC as planning. This sort of event, you're going to see…our planning is on the way to being delivered. And this is an example of it.

REPORTER: Are all the sports signed off, is there a possibility we can get some extra sports on the Sunshine Coast?

LIVERIS: So the number of sports that get added or subtracted, you got to remember that the number of athletes is capped at 10,500. So we are working within the construct of the host contract. 10,500 athletes, which sets the size of villages, and sets the size of transport, food and beverage and all the costings that went into the budget, which we will have to deliver, taxpayer neutral budget, the private sector, and the funding of that is one of our key jobs. The last thing we need is to inflate the cost structure of delivery by adding sports unnecessarily. So what all that means is a process for additional sports. That process Paris's did it. LA just finished theirs. We will be starting out next year. And we'll know whether we should add and therefore what should be subtracted.

REPORTER: Do you support the bid by Surf Lifesaving Australia to have a couple of events at the Olympics because they are pretty serious about it?

LIVERIS: I know they're serious. And if I support every bid that's coming already, that 10,500 numbers gone. And so we are definitely listening very carefully. Of course, we want to show Australia off, of course, sports like cricket and surf lifesaving and I heard the other day cutting horses. I mean, there's a lot of customisation available to show the world who we are, and the type of sports that we're good at. And do I want Australian Gold? You bet. However, there's a process. We've got that with the IOC partners and that process, all those bids will come in, and then we'll look at the ramification. The location? I think our two leaders told us what the answers were. We're going to work with the locations that were given and that includes the sporting that [inaudible]. And yes, if you speculate on some of them, of course, you should speculate on cricket. If we could get cricket, if that happens. Wow. Let's talk about locations, then. Let's wait for that one. 

REPORTER: Are you concerned at all about the public transport options for the QSAC stadium at Nathan?

LIVERIS: I think the transportation infrastructure, including the amazing money that just got approved, is as a source of worry for all of us. In terms of liveability, urbanity and growth, you have a great problem here, you're growing. Wow, what an amazing problem. The infrastructure needs to keep pace with the growth of the state, the growth of the region, the growth of the city. Of course, when we put Games overlay on that this infrastructure that's there, stadiums and venues will be part of our cost structures. We will get a say, and a part in that in terms of Games delivery, but it's not the reason infrastructure will be built. It'll be built to allow your growth corridors. Okay? I had a great trip up the Bruce today. I heard though it's not always like that. Right. So, we've got to figure out what happens when once the state and the federal government and the council, of course, play a role in what transport and connectivity will be. I welcome some of the announcements I've been hearing lately, though.

REPORTER: How do you feel about the rail line not going to the Athletes Village in the Maroochydore city centre?

LIVERIS: I think we've got a transport solution in the works. And I think their transport solution is what will work. Look, you can't go to some Games and see what transport looks like. There is no cookie cutter approach for rail or bus. It's a mixture of different transport options. Paris, go look at putting…the venue venues in Paris are in Paris, okay? I mean, you want to be around getting around Paris? I mean, so, Athens…Athens had to shut itself down to allow transport to occur. There's a myriad of different ways to transport athletes, a myriad of different ways to accommodate time timeframes. We've just got to make sure we get into the specifications. So they can train in the right places. They can be transported to and from the training tracks, and they can in fact be transferred to the venues in certain timeframes. That's a specification that has to be fulfilled. And trust me our Games delivery partners will understand that.

GRACE: Any more questions? Thank you very much, everyone. Thank you.