Ours to Lose: Fraser Coast’s Olympic Moment

In less than a decade, the eyes of the world will be on Queensland for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. While the spotlight will focus heavily on Brisbane, opportunities exist for regional centres to shine – and Maryborough has been earmarked as one such place.

The question is simple: will we seize it, or let it slip away?

What’s Been Considered:

Maryborough Showgrounds – A central location, but the available green space is too limited to accommodate a full Olympic-standard archery facility without major disruption to existing user groups.

Susan River Archery Field – The home of archery on the Fraser Coast today, but located outside Maryborough and therefore not aligned with the State Government’s commitment for the venue to be in Maryborough itself.

Fraser Coast Sports Precinct (Nikenbah) – Council’s initial preference due to its sporting infrastructure, but like Susan River, it falls outside Maryborough and does not meet the government’s locational requirement.

What This Means

The State Government’s commitment was clear: Maryborough is to host Olympic Archery in 2032. That decision rules out options outside the city boundaries and leaves us with a narrow window to identify a viable site that satisfies both Olympic organisers and the needs of the community long-term.

The Legacy at Stake

This is not just about a two-week Olympic competition. The right venue will:

Create a permanent archery facility capable of hosting national and international events.

Leave behind infrastructure for driver training, youth programs, and community sport.

Deliver tourism, jobs, and a long-lasting legacy asset for Maryborough.

Ours to Lose

Opportunities like this come once in a generation. Maryborough has been given the nod – but only if we act decisively and present a site that works. If we hesitate, the chance will be lost to another region.

The Games are coming. The only question is whether we’ll step up and claim our place.