Mister Brisbane: Olympics dream
How the 2032 Games could help solve a social issue.
I have some of my best ideas in bed. A few of them even seem reasonable in the cold, hard light of day — and I think this one is among them.
This morning I was thinking about the proposal to build the 2032 Olympics media centre in such a way that, when the Games are over, it could be easily converted into a modern mega-studio for Brisbane’s commercial broadcasters (who are keen to get off Mt Coot-tha). I know that at least on big television network is very keen on this idea.
That led me to think about another big bit of infrastructure we need: the Olympics Village. Previous villages have been built with the idea of selling them off afterwards, often as affordable housing. But why wait until then? Why not allow the people of Brisbane to invest in the village now, with the view to living there after the Games?
This would be particularly appealing to first-home buyers, as well as “downsizers” and other people (like me) who are eyeing retirement in a small- to medium-sized apartment. Applicants — who would undertake to actually live in the apartment for, say, five years, to avoid profiteering by flippers — could put down a deposit and maybe even begin making payments now.
The upside for the governments funding the games is that some money starts to roll in straight away, and that they are doing some immediate good for the citizens of this city.
This plan would only work properly if the prices were kept reasonable — just a small margin on top of actual cost — and it were restricted to occupiers.
I think this is a brilliant idea. Tell me I’m right — or tell me why I’m wrong.
It may seem a long way away, but many of the big decisions regarding the 2032 Games are being made now. What other ways could the Olympics be used to benefit citizens of Brisbane? You can email me here or via my Twitter (@misterbrisbane and @debritz) and Facebook feeds.
FEEDBACK
My item about the Darwin venue fighting back against noise complaints from its new neighbours received some passionate responses.
Emily says: “Yeah, I have no sympathy. These idiots buy apartments in entertainment areas because it’s so lively and “hip”, and then proceed to complain about the activities that make it so lively and popular. Too often they get their whiny, self-righteous way and venues close down, and then the idiots wonder why the area is turning into a ghost town.”
Liam says this kind of attitude “absolutely killed live music in Sydney, along with pokies”.