Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the $100 million Olympic Whitewater Stadium proposed on land at Birkdale is not supported by 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 country – because white elephant Olympic facilities are financially crushing Host Cities worldwide. 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 do all in its power to prevent 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.