Logan City Council will not put money into the 2028 Olympic Games South-East Queensland feasibility study, leaving remaining councils like Redlands with the potential for larger bills for the $2.5 million work.
Logan Mayor Luke Smith said council would not pay about $200,000 without guarantees that a bid would deliver infrastructure. Gold Coast City Council also would not take part.
Brisbane, Lockyer Valley, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba councils have backed the study while Ipswich and Moreton Bay are yet to decide.
Their decisions will determine financial contributions which will be based on population size of each council. Councils argue that if further funds are needed, they could be covered by the private sector.
Council of Mayors chairman Graham Quirk said councils would not be required to contribute any further funds than already committed.
Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams said Redlands backed the feasibility study because it was seen as a catalyst for infrastructure upgrades.
“This regional transport plan will deliver the long-awaited transport blueprint south-east Queensland needs to strategically manage growth in the region,’’ she said.
Cr Williams said Redlands would put in from $90,131 to $112,664 which equated to about 75 cents per resident over two years.
Cr Smith said the report might not deliver any tangible benefits. “We have no surety that we will receive any support for our infrastructure needs,’’ he said. “Hosting an Olympics generally costs governments far more than the perceived economic benefits they bring to the community.”
Logan treasurer Trevina Schwarz said there was no indication from the state or federal governments that they would support a bid which meant it could fall at the first hurdle.
Councillor Jon Raven said the bid was for Brisbane, not the south-east.
