AustralianFan

Don’t be ridiculous.

Coates and Ser Miang set to return as IOC vice-presidents as Erdener and Samaranch prepare to step down Credit: InsideTheGames By Liam Morgan, Thursday, 2 July 2020 Australia's John Coates and Ng Ser Miang of Singapore are set to regain their positions as vice-presidents of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the organisation's virtual Session later this month. insidethegames understands Coates and Ser Miang are currently the only two candidates for the vice-presidential roles being vacated by Uğur Erdener and Juan Antonio Samaranch, whose terms will conclude at the July 17 Session. While the deadline is not until the day before the Session, it is thought unlikely others will come forward to challenge Coates and Ser Miang. Four candidates – Mikaela Jaworski of the Philippines, Ethiopia's Dagmawit Berhane, Belgian Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant and Gerardo Werthein of Argentina – have emerged for two vacancies on the IOC's Executive Board. The place of Ser Miang, who stood against Thomas Bach in the 2013 IOC Presidential election, on the Executive Board is up for grabs as he is moving up to vice-president. Seoul 1988 Olympic pole vault gold medallist and six-time world champion Sergey Bubka is leaving the ruling body as he has completed his maximum two consecutive four-year terms. Both Coates, head of the Australian Olympic Committee and chairman of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission, and Ser Miang have previously served as vice-presidents. Coates is able to stand again after stepping down from the Executive Board for the minimum two-year period, while Ser Miang returned to the ruling body in 2016 following a three-year absence. Coates was a vice-president from 2013 to 2017 and is set to hold the role until 2024, when his term on the IOC is due to conclude. The Australian, who reached the age limit of 70 in May, had his term extended at last year's IOC Session in Lausanne in June "due to his important role as chair of the IOC Legal Affairs Commission". Ser Miang, the longstanding chairman of the IOC Finance Commission, served as an IOC vice-president from 2009 to 2013. He departed the Executive Board in 2013 after reaching the end of his term before returning in 2016. Ser Miang can remain an IOC member until he turns 80 as he was elected to the organisation prior to 1999. Coates and Ser Miang will replace Erdener and Samaranch, who were both elected vice-president four years ago. Erdener, President of World Archery and the Turkish Olympic Committee, and Samaranch, the son of the late former IOC President of the same name, can be re-elected to the IOC Executive Board after a minimum of two years. It seems likely that Samaranch will return, while Erdener could feasibly see out the last two years of his IOC membership – he is due to leave in 2024 – as a member of the Executive Board. An intriguing race for the two available Executive Board places has developed, culminating at the IOC's first virtual Session in just over two weeks' time. Jaworski has been an IOC member since 2013 and is part of several IOC Commissions, including the Tokyo 2020 inspection panel. Berhane joined the same year as Jaworski – both were elected at the same Session where Bach became President – and sits alongside her on the Paris 2024 Coordination Commission. The Ethiopian is also a member of the IOC Finance Commission and the group responsible for proposing officials for IOC membership. Belgian businessman Beckers-Vieujant chairs the Paris 2024 Coordination Commission and is vice-chair of the Coordination Commission for Los Angeles 2028. Werthein is head of the Digital and Technology Commission, was part of the working group that helped devise changes to the Olympic bidding process and led the Organising Committee for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

Its good to get creative. Its a good logo but perhaps I see your point about the Maltese Cross. The St John Ambulance logo features this prominently too. I guess some of the globally recognisable symbols and features of Queensland and/or Australia are long white sandy tropical beaches, surf, people having fun in the sun, the blue ocean, rainforests, the Glasshouse Mountains, the long skycraper/surf beach skyline of the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, koala bears, kangaroos, etc. Anyway, just some recognisable imagery which may help.

Postecoglou wants ‘legacy’ facilities from 2023 Women's World Cup Credit: Sydney Morning Herald By Vince Rugari July 1, 2020 — 11.42am Former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou wants Australia's successful 2023 Women's World Cup bid to leave behind a concrete legacy, arguing that football has too often been left empty-handed after hosting major sporting events. Postecoglou declared the game was "headed in the right direction" in this country, endorsing the leadership of Football Federation Australia chairman Chris Nikou and chief executive James Johnson for making decisions in the best interests of the sport. That includes the A-League's pending transition to a winter season and extends to Australia's joint bid with New Zealand to host the next Women's World Cup, which ended a decade of political heartbreak with FIFA. But Postecoglou - who now coaches Japanese champions Yokohama F. Marinos - wants the triumph to lead to tangible outcomes for football when it comes to facilities and infrastructure. He said football was one of the most popular sports at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, but it was actually the AFL and cricket which benefited the most from the Games. Brisbane, where Postecoglou used to coach the Roar in the A-League, hosted seven men's football matches at the Olympics - but instead of a rectangular stadium being built, the Gabba was redeveloped, leaving an infrastructure gap for the round-ball code that still exists today. "It is significant for football, significant for Australia, it's going to be an unbelievable tournament. The Matildas are going great guns and hopefully they have a good crack at it," Postecoglou said on SEN Radio. "The only thing again is it's got to leave a legacy for our game because the Sydney Olympics football was the most participated sport and we got nothing out of it. "The [2015] Asian Cup, we won and literally the next day, life went on without football having any sort of a legacy. Even the achievement itself hasn't really left much of a legacy. "I know it's going to be a fantastic tournament because Australia always holds fantastic tournaments, but I hope it's significant for football in the long term - things like facilities, infrastructure, governments are buying into the game. I'm hoping that's going to be the most positive outcome at all." Postecoglou credited the 'As One' bid team, particularly FFA's Mark Falvo and Jane Fernandez, for their behind-the-scenes work in winning over FIFA powerbrokers. A critic of previous FFA administrations led by executives from other codes, he also expressed confidence in the game's current leaders and said he was a fan of the A-League's mooted switch from summer to winter. "I don't mind it. If the football people within our code think that's the best way to go then believe it and go for it," he said. "That's what I've always been critical of - we always look to outside sources to tell us where the game's best placed. Add to sho "The best decisions we can make are ones that we believe are going to be good for football and if that's a winter season, then back it, go for it. "I'm pretty impressed with what's happened in the last few weeks ... I'm a big rap, he's a mate of mine, of the chairman [Nikou] who's the best kind of chairman because he's fairly anonymous and just gets the work done. "I think James Johnson's a fantastic appointment, he's a football person. As long as they're making football decisions, I think they're headed in the right direction."

Postecoglou wants ‘legacy’ facilities from 2023 Women's World Cup Credit: Sydney Morning Herald By Vince Rugari July 1, 2020 — 11.42am Former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou wants Australia's successful 2023 Women's World Cup bid to leave behind a concrete legacy, arguing that football has too often been left empty-handed after hosting major sporting events. Postecoglou declared the game was "headed in the right direction" in this country, endorsing the leadership of Football Federation Australia chairman Chris Nikou and chief executive James Johnson for making decisions in the best interests of the sport. That includes the A-League's pending transition to a winter season and extends to Australia's joint bid with New Zealand to host the next Women's World Cup, which ended a decade of political heartbreak with FIFA. But Postecoglou - who now coaches Japanese champions Yokohama F. Marinos - wants the triumph to lead to tangible outcomes for football when it comes to facilities and infrastructure. He said football was one of the most popular sports at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, but it was actually the AFL and cricket which benefited the most from the Games. Brisbane, where Postecoglou used to coach the Roar in the A-League, hosted seven men's football matches at the Olympics - but instead of a rectangular stadium being built, the Gabba was redeveloped, leaving an infrastructure gap for the round-ball code that still exists today. "It is significant for football, significant for Australia, it's going to be an unbelievable tournament. The Matildas are going great guns and hopefully they have a good crack at it," Postecoglou said on SEN Radio. "The only thing again is it's got to leave a legacy for our game because the Sydney Olympics football was the most participated sport and we got nothing out of it. "The [2015] Asian Cup, we won and literally the next day, life went on without football having any sort of a legacy. Even the achievement itself hasn't really left much of a legacy. "I know it's going to be a fantastic tournament because Australia always holds fantastic tournaments, but I hope it's significant for football in the long term - things like facilities, infrastructure, governments are buying into the game. I'm hoping that's going to be the most positive outcome at all." Postecoglou credited the 'As One' bid team, particularly FFA's Mark Falvo and Jane Fernandez, for their behind-the-scenes work in winning over FIFA powerbrokers. A critic of previous FFA administrations led by executives from other codes, he also expressed confidence in the game's current leaders and said he was a fan of the A-League's mooted switch from summer to winter. "I don't mind it. If the football people within our code think that's the best way to go then believe it and go for it," he said. "That's what I've always been critical of - we always look to outside sources to tell us where the game's best placed. Add to short "The best decisions we can make are ones that we believe are going to be good for football and if that's a winter season, then back it, go for it. "I'm pretty impressed with what's happened in the last few weeks ... I'm a big rap, he's a mate of mine, of the chairman [Nikou] who's the best kind of chairman because he's fairly anonymous and just gets the work done. "I think James Johnson's a fantastic appointment, he's a football person. As long as they're making football decisions, I think they're headed in the right direction."

Nice logos. Does anyone have any ideas for Brisbane 2032 ?

Here is the winning bid video: Credit: Sydney Morning Herald , June 26, 2020 — 11.15am Bid Final Presentation

Coates says Queensland 2032 would aid Australia's COVID recovery Credit: insidethegames.com. By Dan Palmer, Tuesday 23 June 2020 Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates has insisted that a successful Queensland 2032 bid would help the country with its coronavirus recovery. The official claimed that staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 12 years' time would provide a boost for jobs and growth and attempted to play down fears about costs. Queensland's bid, which centres on Brisbane, is currently on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic which has forced much of the world into lockdown. Coates, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member who is the President of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission, believes the 2032 Games would help address the financial blow the global health crisis has caused. His comments are in contrast to some officials, with North Queensland Federal MP Bob Katter among those to have voiced disapproval. "If it was a stupid idea to sink billions into a Brisbane Olympic Games before COVID-19, then it is infinitely more stupid now," Katter said last month. Speaking at a Parliamentary Friends of the Olympic Movement event, Coates, a former IOC vice-president and Executive Board member, said: "I have always believed in making necessity a virtue. "There is already a need for jobs and growth in the Queensland economy arising from the impact of COVID-19. "Our partner three levels of Government recognise a potential 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a critical part of the state and nation's economic recovery in the short term, quite apart from all of the long-term health, well-being, economic and sporting legacies. "For any of you who may be concerned about the AUD$4.5 billion (£2.5 billion/$3.1 billion/€2.7 billion) cost of conducting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the IOC has already committed $2.5 billion (£1.4 billion/$1.7 billion/€1.5 billion) at least, being the amount of its contributions to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. "The balance will be covered by national sponsorships and ticket sales. "And I stress, these days the IOC encourages and requires the use of existing and temporary community and sports venues, which in the case of south-east Queensland, with Cairns and Townsville for football preliminaries, 85 per cent are existing." Venues which were used at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games are among those proposed for Queensland 2032. AOC chief executive Matt Carroll claimed last month that the Australian candidacy, which was officially launched in December, was still "ahead" of its rivals despite the pause due to COVID-19. Germany, India and Indonesia are among the other contenders, but hopes for a historic joint-bid between North and South Korea look to be at an end as relations deteriorate between the two neighbours. In January, Australian politician Pauline Hanson, the leader of the right-wing One Nation party, launched a campaign against the Queensland bid. A decision on the 2032 Games could be made by the IOC as early as 2022.

Coates says Queensland 2032 would aid Australia's COVID recovery Credit: Reuters - whtc.com Tuesday, June 23, 2020 10:43 p.m. EDT by Thomson Reuters MELBOURNE (Reuters) - A successful bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games in Queensland could help Australia recover from the economic impact of COVID-19, the country's Olympic chief John Coates has said. The northeastern state suspended its work on its bid last month, citing a need to focus on its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the suspension, Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President Coates said authorities recognised the Games' potential to heal the economy, which is in its biggest downturn since the 1930s. "There is already a need for jobs and growth in the Queensland economy arising from the impact of COVID-19,” Coates said in quotes published by The Australian newspaper late on Tuesday. Coates said local, state and federal government recognised the potential for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a "critical part of the state and nation's economic recovery in the short term". The Games would also bring long-term health, wellbeing, economic and sporting legacies, he added. Coates said the AOC stood ready to resume dialogue with the International Olympic Committee once the Queensland state and federal governments gave the green light. "A decision could be as early as 2022 or 2023," he said. Coates also said Queensland had 85% of the required Olympic venues in place and downplayed the cost of hosting. “For any of you who may be concerned about the $4.5bn cost of conducting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the IOC has already committed $2.5bn at least, being the amount of its contributions to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles,” he said. A number of countries have expressed interest in 2032 bids, including Germany, Spain, India, Indonesia and a joint bid from North and South Korea. Paris is hosting the 2024 Games with Los Angeles confirmed for 2028. (Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Sunshine Coast Light Rail Project, Queensland Credit: railway-technology.com The Sunshine Coast light rail project is a planned rapid transit system to be developed in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. The project is being undertaken by Sunshine Coast Regional Council in order to provide regular and affordable public transport facilities in the region. The project will initially include a 23km-long light rail system linking Maroochydore with Caloundra via Mooloolaba and Kawana, with further extensions planned in the future. The light rail project is expected to carry approximately 60,000 passengers per day, increasing the share of public transport from 3.6% to 10% of all journeys by 2031. Being one of the fastest growing regions of Australia, Sunshine Coast’s population is projected to double over the next 50 years. The population growth will increase private car transport, which currently accounts for 86% of trips, while public transport accounts for just 3.6%. Since alternative modes of transport are essential to manage the growth, while preserving the environment, the light rail system was chosen to provide an alternative to private car and deliver seamless transportation in the urban centres. Sunshine Coast light rail project details A number of options were considered before choosing light rail as the preferred option. The initial round of feasibility study, partly funded by the Commonwealth Government, focused on the coastal area from Maroochydore to Caloundra. The study has provided an abstraction of route options and also the benefits and opportunities that light rail can provide in shaping the Sunshine Coast. It also proposes to link the Sunshine Coast light rail to surrounding areas of the coastal region through a network of high-frequency buses. Lines and routes Sunshine Coast Regional Council plans to create six corridors within the Sunshine Coast rapid transit network. The 23km-long Corridor 1 will be between Maroochydore and Caloundra, while Corridor 2 will be between Maroochydore and Sunshine Coast Airport for 9.4km. Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa will be the third corridor of the light rail system and will be 33.8km-long. Corridor 4 will extend from Maroochydore to Nambour over a length of 15.1km. The 10km Caloundra to Caloundra South corridor and the 10.7km Palmview to Sippy Downs to Mooloolaba corridor will be respectively the fifth and sixth corridors of the project. Rolling stock details The new light rail transit system will feature fully low-floor, modular, electrically powered light rail vehicles measuring between 30m and 40m in length. The trains will operate at a maximum speed of 80km/h and run on dedicated tracks. The vehicles will be powered by overhead power lines at low voltage of 750V DC. They will be fully air-conditioned and feature open air modules.

Brisbane Metro - Latest News & Updates Credit: by Jake Powell - iseekplant.com.au 7 May 2020 Brisbane Metro Project Plan Brisbane Metro Cost: $944 million Federal Funding: $300 million QLD State Government Funding: TBD Project Type: Rail - Busway Upgrade Length of Job: 21km Brisbane Metro Construction Details The Brisbane Metro project centres on bus service upgrades of both infrastructure and non-infrastructure within the inner-city. The key elements to the project aim to remove major congestion points on the busway and include: new underground station and tunnel builds upgrading the metro vehicles to higher capacity, longer and easier access versions revising operational models to improve servicing and increase frequency The initiative will be complimentary in nature to the Cross River Rail, through creation of an interchange between Roma Street and Boggo Road bus and rail networks. ————————————————————————————————————————————————- Brisbane Metro construction updates Credit: Brisbane City Council 10 May 2020 Brisbane City Council is getting residents home quicker and safer with more travel options, less congestion and better public transport. Brisbane Metro will mean a 21 kilometre, turn-up-and-go service, with two dedicated lines connecting 18 stations from Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street and Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital to University of Queensland. As part of Brisbane Metro, Council is delivering a program of early works involving the relocation of public utility services and intersection upgrades in readiness for changes to the traffic network and main construction works in 2021. Latest update - from Sunday 10 May 2020, Council commenced works to improve the operation of the Peel Street, Grey Street and Stanley Place intersection in South Brisbane. Works completed Intersection upgrades – South Brisbane and CBD As part of Brisbane Metro, Council will upgrade a number of intersections in South Brisbane and the CBD. These improvements will help manage traffic changes on Victoria Bridge and ensure cross-river connections, particularly William Jolly Bridge, are easy and convenient to access. Council has upgraded the following intersections as part of this program of works: Peel Street and Merivale Street, South Brisbane Skew Street and Upper Roma Street, Brisbane CBD Peel Street and Cordelia Street, South Brisbane.

Construction of Brisbane's New Cruise Terminal Underway Credit: The Maritime Executive 18 April 2020 Work has commenced on a new cruise terminal in the Port of Brisbane, Australia. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk officiated the start of work on the A$158 million ($113 million) International Cruise Terminal this week. The terminal is scheduled to operational in October next year, and holds the potential to more than double Brisbane's cruise industry. The new terminal will be able to accommodate larger vessels that the port's existing Hamilton facility including mega-cruise ships over 270 meters long. It is anticipated to boost Queensland's already billion dollar industry by more than a billion dollars over the next few years. Last financial year, 520 cruise ships visited Queensland, an increase of 11 percent year-on-year. Within its first five years the terminal is expected to handle over 1,100 vessel calls and around 1.8 million passengers. The port has over 180 bookings confirmed for the 2020/21 cruising season. “That will stimulate the industry at ports up and down the Queensland coast, as we aim to increase passenger numbers throughout the state to more than a million a year," said Palaszczuk. The terminal building is being built by Hindmarsh, and Brady Marine and Civil is constructing the wharf.

Work to upgrade the Gabba underway Credit: AUStadiums 13 June 2020 A $35 million upgrade of The Gabba is underway, with works to modernised the Brisbane stadium and improve the match-day atmosphere and experience for fans. The upgrade includes enhancements to entries and ticketing areas, public concourses, food and beverage outlets, bar and entertainments spaces, improved signage and wayfinding, and upgraded media and corporate spaces. Project works are currently in the demolition phase, beginning with the demolition of the eastern media zone, corporate suites and entry gates. The Managing Contractor, Watpac were appointed in January 2020 and works began in March. The project is on track for completion by October 2020, ahead of the first match of the ICC T20 World Cup. Stadiums Queensland Chief Executive, Todd Harris stated “The Gabba has a proud place in Queensland’s sporting and entertainment history, and these upgrades will ensure that reputation continues, and importantly keep people employed. “Upgrades will improve the experience, with colour-coded theming of entrances to make it easier to get around, simplified signage, a sensory room, adult change facility, new eateries and destination bars and historical features to highlight our proud history.” The Gabba General Manager Mark Zundans said construction was on schedule, noting “demolition works are well progressed and construction is well underway on the Eastern side of the grounds, with all works expected to be completed by October 2020. Stadiums Queensland is working with the Department of Housing and Public Works to deliver the project. The project has been designed by local Brisbane architecture firm Populous and construction will be delivered by Watpac who were also involved in The Gabba’s most significant redevelopment in the 90’s/00s, as well as the recent installation of the new high definition video screens. The Gabba’s key hirers Brisbane Lions, AFL, Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket have also provided detailed input into the project plans. The upgrade will not include a change to seating capacity. During construction there will be no change to general seating areas, however the schedule of works may result in some short-term unavailability of selected areas, such as bars and corporate spaces. The official capacity of venue remains at 42,000. The $35 million project has secured the traditional first Cricket Test of the Australian summer at the Brisbane venue, including the tour of India this coming summer and the Ashes Series in 2021/22. Project updates can be found on the Gabba website.

Time Capsule to Mark Brisbane Airport’s Historic Second Runway Opening on 12 July 2020 12 June 2020, Brisbane Airport Corporation To commemorate the opening of Brisbane’s new runway, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) is creating a time capsule so future Queenslanders can look back at the significance of this historic moment for our city, state and nation. With the cancelation of community events planned for the opening of the new runway due to COVID-19, BAC is inviting community members to suggest possible items for inclusion, creating a snapshot of 2020 for the unveiling in 50 years’ time – the same length of time the runway has been in the plans to be built. Along with seeking suggestions from the community, BAC is inviting iconic Queenslanders, Traditional Owners, airlines, schools, community groups and elected representatives to participate by contributing items symbolic for them. The time capsule, to be opened in 2070, will be sealed during the official ‘ribbon cutting’ opening ceremony for Brisbane’s new runway on Sunday 12 July 2020. Instead of storing underground, the sealed capsule will be housed in the Kingsford Smith Memorial at Brisbane Airport alongside the historical ‘Southern Cross’ aircraft flown by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. BAC CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said, “We were very much looking forward to sharing the significant milestone of the opening of the runway with our community who has been with us every step of the way during planning and construction, but that sadly is no longer possible due to COVID-19 restrictions. "The time capsule is a small but significant way for community members to participate in the celebrations for the opening, while providing future generations with a glimpse of life in the year 2020, when it is opened in 50 years’ time. “It is only fitting the time capsule be housed inside the Kingsford Smith Memorial. Just as Sir Charles Kingsford Smith crossing the Pacific Ocean in 1928 signalled a new era in aviation history, the opening of Brisbane’s new runway is a significant moment for our city, region and state. “Particularly during these challenging times, the opening of this runway is a vote of confidence in Queensland’s future and our confidence in that future is just as strong as ever. “It is a long-term piece of infrastructure and we hope that its opening will be a comforting reminder to everyone that things will get better and the future will be bright,” Mr de Graaff said. Ideas received from the community will be collated by BAC and select items will be added to the capsule. Suggestions can be emailed to timecapsule@bne.com.au by Wednesday 1 July 2020. ————————————- Recently: 23 May, 2020 TOUCH AND GO ON BRISBANE AIRPORT’S NEW RUNWAY Credit: Brisbane Airport Corporation Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) and Airservices Australia conducted two flight checks on Brisbane’s new runway this afternoon. BAC’s flight check included the first ‘touch and go’ on the new runway, undertaken by a Twin Comanche aircraft. The first official passenger jet landing and departure will take place on runway opening, Sunday 12 July 2020. Prior to the flight check, Airside Operations will complete a runway serviceability inspection. Project Director Paul Coughlan said the flight check aims to test the lighting systems that provide critical guidance to aircraft approaching and landing at the airport, including the precision approach path indicator (PAPI) and runway lighting. “It is just over seven weeks until the new runway becomes operational and, while the runway itself is constructed and ready to go, we are still working hard to ensure all of supporting systems and navigational aids are working exactly as they should. “Another significant milestone was achieved earlier this week, with the introduction of airspace changes and new flight paths from Thursday 21 May. Brisbane residents may notice some changes overhead with these new flight paths coming into effect in preparation for the opening of the Brisbane’s new runway.” The Airservices’ flight check tested the approaches to the runway from the north and south without touching down. These flights are part of several test flights which have been conducted since March and form part of the wider Operational Readiness and Testing (ORAT) program for the new runway which also included a recent multi-agency emergency exercise, the decommissioning of Runway 14/32 and the implementation of Stop Bars. Brisbane’s new runway will open on Sunday, 12 July 2020.