Petition

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the $100 million Olympic Whitewater Stadium proposed on land at Birkdale is being forced on the people of the Redlands. The Redlands community did not ask for it and they do not want it. It is an idea of Redland City Council’s own making. The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ‘New Norm’ policy tells us not to build new facilities, and instead use existing ones – even if in another city – because white elephant Olympic facilities are crushing Host Cities worldwide. Redland City Council has apparently misled the Queensland State Government with respect to the proposed Redlands Whitewater Stadium, portraying it as compliant with the IOC's New Norm Policy, that is - eligible as a 'planned' new build Olympic facility because it is much-needed, long-waited and supported by a robust business plan - none of which it is. In turn, and in good faith, the State Government told the International Olympic Committee that the Redlands Whitewater Stadium is IOC 'New Norm' Policy compliant. [Refer - 'IOC Future Host Commission Questionnaire Response Final Submission - May 2021']

The people of the Redlands want nature, conservation and heritage protection of the 62-hectare Birkdale Community Precinct. They want wild koalas, not a whitewater elephant.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to decline the Birkdale land in Redland City as the site for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Whitewater Stadium and designate the existing Penrith Whitewater Stadium the 2032 Olympic Canoe Slalom venue.