Tasked with undertaking the Queensland Government’s review of Games-related infrastructure projects, the opening of public submissions comes a week after the Games Authority’s newly appointed seven-person board met for the first time on Monday, December 2.

The website for public submissions, www.gamesreview.com.au, launched Tuesday, December 10 and will remain open until January 20.

The Authority’s interim CEO, David Hourigan, said the portal was open to individual and organisational feedback.

“The review is being informed by the public submission process – as well as targeted consultation and relevant advice from stakeholders and experts – and we are looking forward to receiving submissions from all across Queensland,” said Hourigan. 

The process is relatively straightforward and open-ended.

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Participants are invited to fill out a box with 500 words with their thoughts and feelings or upload pre-prepared documents for review and consideration. 

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“The Board looks forward to receiving views from right across our communities which will be carefully assessed and analysed, to help inform our final report for Government,” said board chairman Stephen Conry.

Brisbane local, Kitty Lloyd, expressed concern about “the inefficient process of Olympic planning so far” and was not impressed with the portal idea.

“Given the historical trend of the games negatively impacting host cities… the current review set up doesn’t make me feel confident about how resources will be managed as we get closer to the games,” she said.

“It’s great for the government to give Brisbanites the chance to voice their opinions but one 500-word text box doesn’t feel like a very effective way to gain insights.

“I might have thoughts and opinions on the games, and if a quick questionnaire was available, I’d definitely participate. But an open-ended submission portal over the Christmas holidays just isn’t realistic.

“The review hasn’t been set up in a convenient way to facilitate feedback from hard-working Brisbanites. A 500-word text box feels catered towards major stakeholders’ proposals instead of ordinary people.”

Under its terms of reference, the 100 Day Review’s scope encompasses “new, upgraded and temporary venues, Olympic and Paralympic villages, transport infrastructure and Games governance”.

It outlines several guiding principles, including that the review will “maximise the use of existing venues” to “minimise new construction, thereby enhancing cost-efficiency and promoting sustainability”.

“Hosting the Games is a privilege that will define and promote Brisbane, Queensland, and Australia for decades to come,” Conry said.

“The review we have commenced will help to achieve this vision: to ensure we are building the right infrastructure in the right place. The review will identify the infrastructure required to fulfil the Games’ vision while aligning with long-term planning for our growing city and state.”

This comprises Queensland’s independent Olympics venue review after the 60-day review former Premier Miles ordered earlier this year.

The recommendations of that review, headed by former lord mayor Graham Quirk, were rejected by both the Miles Government and the incoming Liberal party, who pledged the appointment of the Games Authority and the implementation of the 100 Day Review as part of their election campaign. 

The review is set to be completed in March.