Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli has been included on a streamlined organising committee for Brisbane’s Olympic Games.
Powerbrokers and Olympians were among 10 people cut in a dramatic bid to improve the committee’s efficiency, with Cr Natoli being the only new member.
The changes follow recommendations from the 100 Day Review Report to streamline the committee and improve governance.
Westfarmers chief Rob Scott and former Olympians Tracy Stockwell, Natalie Cook and Patrick Johnson were among those booted from the committee.
Golf champion Greg Norman and business leader Rebecca Frizelle survived the cuts and will remain as the two independent directors after the 24-person committee was slashed to 15.
Related story: Long-awaited Brisbane 2032 venue plan finally revealed
Cr Natoli, who replaces Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding, said she was thrilled to be appointed.
“This is such an honour for me and an incredible opportunity for the Sunshine Coast … I have been named as a member of the board of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee,” she posted to social media.
“The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee Board will oversee Games planning and delivery and ensure a lasting legacy for Queensland.
“I am really excited about ensuring fantastic legacy outcomes for our region and Queensland more broadly.
“We advocated for a seat at the table, so I’m really pleased that our community’s voice will be heard.
“I want to ensure the needs and aspirations of our people are clearly understood and reflected in Games event planning and decision-making.
“It’s also important that our council’s Games commitments are fully aligned with the broader Brisbane 2032 event delivery plan.
“The Sunshine Coast is much more than just a venue – we are a key partner in shaping how the Games are delivered and experienced. How exciting.”
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Andrew Liveris will serve as president of the committee, with politicians Tim Mander and Anika Wells as vice-presidents.
Four new advisory groups – First Nations, Athlete’s and Sport, Councils and Commercial – will also be established to provide advice.
They will be led by Patrick Johnson, Susie O’Neill, Mr Liveris and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schinner, respectively.
Former federal sports minister Mark Arbib, who was appointed as the Australian Olympic Committee’s new chief executive in April, also missed out on a spot in the committee.
Mr Mander said the streamlined board was a key step in strengthening governance and allowed Games-related decisions to be made efficiently.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering a winning legacy for Queensland and the Games Queenslanders deserve,” Mr Mander said.
“The changes made to the board are sensible and practical to shape good governance and make for a truly spectacular Games for which all of Queensland can be proud.”
Mr Liveris echoed Mr Mander’s comments, saying the advisory groups had been set in place to support the board and provide critical advice to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.
“There has been a significant shift in momentum as we reach the seven years to go milestone before our Games and we are now moving to a phase of streamlined decision making and delivery,” Mr Liveris said.
The government says it will deliver a successful Games after what it describes as “1200 days of Olympics chaos and crisis” under the previous administration, focusing on a lasting legacy for Queensland.
Premier David Crisafulli, who won government in October 2024, revealed the Olympic infrastructure blueprint for the games in March, after growing speculation organisers were running out of time.
A new 63,000-seat main stadium at the inner-city Victoria Park is the centrepiece of a plan delivered almost four years after Brisbane was named host city.
The long wait had prompted questions for Mr Liveris from the International Olympic Committee at a meeting in Greece.
The Olympic body urged Mr Liveris to confirm the venue plan “the sooner the better”.
