News
14 March, 2025
Bienvenue mayors
MORETON Bay and Somerset mayors, Peter Flannery and Jason Wendt, joined 11 South East Queensland (SEQ) mayors and councillors on a globetrotting fact-finding mission in February.
The Council of Mayors South East Queensland (COMSEQ) delegation visited Singapore, Manchester, and Paris to explore infrastructure and tourism opportunities ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Singapore
The delegation’s first stop was Singapore. Cr Wendt said Singapore’s small size and rapidly growing population of six million people shared many of the same challenges as SEQ.
“We visited Singapore’s government planning hub, where we learned about their long-term holistic approach to urban expansion, allowing people to live and work in small communities,” he said.
“Underground infrastructure allowed fast travel throughout the region without compromising land usage, creating a more satisfying visual amenity, and this is something I think we should be considering for SEQ. They had high-rise units all around, but it felt like you were driving through the country.”
Cr Wendt also took note of Singapore’s recycling facilities, which turn waste into energy through incineration, adding that this is something COMSEQ is considering, given the ever-increasing waste levy being passed onto councils.
Another observation was Singapore’s use of electronics and AI to provide pre-emptive maintenance to public facilities based on consumer feedback.
“We’re advocating for reliable telecommunications in Somerset, and hopefully by 2032, we can explore options for improving customer service through real-time data,” he said.
Manchester
Cr Wendt also met with business and government representatives in Manchester to discuss the acceleration of the city’s business district.
“The once-industrial wharf area was abandoned in previous years but was redeveloped leading into the 2022 Commonwealth Games, creating many legacy opportunities. Today, Manchester’s infrastructure has improved the city’s liveability and continues to attract residents, tourists, and commercial investment.”
Paris
The COMSEQ delegation visited Paris, where facilities built for the 2024 Olympic Games now provide venues for other sporting events, concerts, and school functions.
Cr Wendt said the mayors examined how the Olympics were used as an opportunity to expand Paris’ public transport system.
“The city increased its capacity to supply passenger demand during the games, but today the facilities are still being used and expanded to complement the Olympics infrastructure,” he said.
“Athlete villages were constructed with long-term residential apartments and transport connectivity in mind. There was some negativity towards the Olympics, but the community now sees the value of the legacy infrastructure, and they’re excited about the future.”
Cr Wendt also noted the government’s ‘live sites’ spread around the city, where people could view the Games on large screens, making the experience inclusive and exciting by bringing communities across the region together to enjoy the event.
“We’re unlikely to get any competitions or training opportunities in Somerset, but it would be great to host a live site to bring our residents together in the Games fever,” he said.
“Brisbane is going to be showcased to the world, and Somerset will be swept up in the Olympics frenzy given our proximity to the Games. There will be substantial tourism opportunities, with millions expected to visit Brisbane.”
