REDLAND City Council is hoping for a taste of gold with talks under way about a white water rafting and kayak centre and mountain bike trails that meet Olympic standards.
Mayor Karen Williams said an Olympic class aquatic and kayaking centre, in partnership with professional water safety and training bodies, would attract visitors and boost economic activity.
"We have been in discussions with potential partners and I have met with the International Canoe Federation on the Gold Coast during the recent Sport Accord," Cr Williams said.
She said the venue could feature as part of a south-east Queensland Olympics bid.
In February, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) released a feasibility study in a push for a regional bid for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games. A decision on whether to proceed with a formal bid is expected early next year.
Cr Williams said council also had plans for mountain biking trails including an Olympic class cross country trail.
Cr Williams said council had opened the $1.3 million mountain biking and trail park at Bayview Conservation Area, Mount Cotton last year, adding to the trails that attracted riders to the Redlands.
"The aim eventually is to create a series of trails that will take people from the border with Logan all the way through the city, with some particularly breathtaking coastal scenery to form part of the trail," she said.
Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington has backed a Queensland Olympic bid saying in a budget reply speech on Thursday that the Games would supercharge the tourism industry and ensure congestion-busting infrastructure was delivered.
"Queensland will need this infrastructure with or without the Olympics but a Games bid will ensure it is built," Ms Frecklington said.
Cr Williams said the International Olympic Committee had a low cost format for future Olympics.
"Combined with regional infrastructure vision, the Olympics could be a compelling catalyst for a better connected sustainable future for our city and the region," she said.
"For the Redlands this is all about securing a seat at the table to get the infrastructure we need for the future, not just tourism infrastructure such as an aquatic and white water facility, but more importantly the transport infrastructure we have been crying out for.
"For the better part of a decade, we have been urging all governments to support improved regional transport investments and especially key investment for the Redlands such as the Eastern Busway extension and Cleveland rail duplication.
"Residents have told us loud and clear how important improved transport is, including during the recent community engagement on the Redlands Transport strategy and a regional Olympics bid could be just the bait we need to land the transport projects we have been fishing for."
Cr Williams said the projects being considered would complement the city's impressive list of adventure attractions.
"The Redlands is already home to world class mountain biking tracks, great surf beaches and island hiking experiences," she said. "We know people come to the Redlands to enjoy our 330 kilometres of coastline and islands and if this plan progresses they could also come to enjoy a land-based aquatic experience."
