Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is reminding organisations or individuals to lodge their submissions in support of the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland’s (RASQ) bid to stage 2032 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events by Friday.
Toowoomba Region Mayor, Geoff McDonald said he was encouraged by the interest and support that had been shown for the proposal to upgrade the Toowoomba Showgrounds to include the Toowoomba Equestrian Centre that could host all levels of competition up to Olympic standard events.
“I was pleased late last year to send Council’s submission backing the RASQ proposal (Toowoomba Equestrian Centre) to the Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority (GIICA) as part of its 100-day review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure,” Mayor McDonald said.
“It has been heartening to see our local state and federal Parliamentary representatives commit their support for the proposal, in addition to one of our most decorated equestrian competitors, 2024 Paris Olympics individual eventing equestrian silver medallist, Chris Burton, who is formerly from Jondaryan.”
The Council is calling on any other organisations or individuals who are supportive of the RASQ proposal to send their submission to GIICA by visiting www.gamesreview.com.au.
“I’m confident that an informed and united approach will highlight how compelling the RASQ’s case is for our Region, the rest of Queensland and Australia,” said Mayor McDonald.
“Council’s submission reinforced that the RASQ bid meets the objectives of the State Government’s 100-day review, especially around demand for top level facilities, affordability and long-term legacy benefits.
“There is no doubt that the construction of a Toowoomba Equestrian Centre would enhance our Region’s standing as a competitive equestrian hub. Research shows a new centre would double the estimated events held at the Toowoomba Showgrounds to 126 events per year with more than 20,000 horses in competition.”
The Mayor says the move has the potential to increase the associated tourism benefits associated with the project to an estimated 65,000 visitor days each year compared with the current 10,000 visitor days.
“Apart from the immediate benefits for rider education and athlete pathways via regional, state and national competitions, a new centre would attract leading equestrian competitors before and after the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, which is the best possible outcome.”
“This aligns with a specific ‘guiding principle’ in the 100-day Review’s Terms of Reference, which seeks to deliver benefits for rural and regional Queensland,” he said.
