Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk wants the Queensland capital to be the next Australian city to host an Olympic Games.

Quirk announced on Thursday he planned to discuss a potential bid for the Olympics at the next Council of Mayors meeting on March 6.

He said the city had proved it is capable of hosting major world events, such as the G20, and was well-placed to become the next Australian bid city.

"We've come of age as a city, there's no doubt about that," Councillor Quirk said in a statement.

"I think that Brisbane would be the obvious choice for the next Australian Olympic bid."

Councillor Quirk said Brisbane was Australia's "new world city" and could successfully stage a safe and detail-focused event.

He also noted the Australian Olympic Committee's John Coates had flagged Brisbane as the "obvious choice" should the country put up its hand up for the Games.

Brisbane had entered a bid for the 1992 Olympics but finished third behind Barcelona and Paris in the official ballot held in 1986.

But if another bid were to get the green light, it could be some time coming.

"Probably 2028 would be a more realistic one to bid for," Councillor Quirk said.

The next Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next year, with the 2020 Games to take place in Tokyo, Japan.

Former lord mayor says bid cost could be factor

Sallyanne Atkinson, who was Brisbane's lord mayor at the time of the 1986 bid, said all factors should be considered before rushing into a bid.

"I think what the Lord Mayor is talking about, and why he's talking to south-east Queensland councils, would be that the Olympics of 2028, should we be hosting them, would be an Olympic Games between Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and surrounding areas," she said.

"I think what the Lord Mayor is doing is taking a very sensible approach as he does with all matters and that's having a look at it."

Ms Atkinson said it was not just about hosting and the cost of the game - but also the cost of the bid.

"That seems to have escalated," she said.

"I don't know what's happened in recent years but our bid cost under $5 million.

"Sydney's bid which they were successful in 1993 for the year 2000 was $25 million.

"I think the real question is it worth it? Is it worth holding the games?"

Games offer 'promotional opportunity' for Brisbane

Ms Atkinson said hosting the Olympics would make for a "marvellous promotional opportunity" for the city.

"With Olympic and Commonwealth Games ... the people of the city get to enjoy them, which of course were weren't able to with the G20," she said.

"But like the G20 it's a marvellous promotional opportunity for the city.

"I think we should consider all the factors about having a go and not rush into it."

Queensland's Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the idea was good in theory but there were more pressing concerns for the new government.

"Of course anything that promotes Brisbane, Queensland, Australia [is] a fantastic idea," she told Fairfax Radio.

"But right now we are just dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Marcia."

Trad said there would be numerous costs incurred getting the city ready to host an Olympics.

Nevertheless, she welcomed an ongoing conversation about Councillor Quirk's suggestion.

AAP/ABC