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Queensland to support Commonwealth Games bid for Gold Coast |
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| Posted by editor (editor) on Mar 19 2010 |
| 2010 >> |
The Gold Coast's bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games moved to the starting blocks today with the State Government announcing that it had committed up to $11 million to securing the Games for the Gold Coast.
In a major boost for jobs and the tourism industry on the coast, Premier Anna Bligh today confirmed an official review of the coast's Games prospects had stacked up in key areas of facilities, accommodation and transport.
Ms Bligh said the government would now proceed with formal advice to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association that the government fully supports the Gold Coast being nominated by the Association to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Games will potentially create up to 30,000 jobs on the coast both in the lead up and during the planned 2018 event.
The Premier said the bidding process over the next year could cost up to $11 million.
"But that will be money well spent because not only will we have the chance to host a very significant event with major economic benefits for the state, the coastal strip will benefit with a significant boost to its infrastructure," Ms Bligh said. "That will not only include new and upgraded sporting facilities, but improvements and upgrades to roads and other transport networks and new housing developments. State Member for Southport and Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said it would be a win-win for the coast. “I'm determined that our government pull together the best bid possible to put Queensland out there as the front-runner for this event,” Mr Lawlor said. "It's estimated more than 30,000 jobs would be generated if the Games go ahead on the Coast, across a range of industries including construction, manufacturing, recreation, cultural and business services.
"Additionally, this is our opportunity to showcase the coast to the world - and that delivers a huge boost to our tourism industry."
Ms Bligh said the decision to support the bid for the 2018 Games had been taken after the delivery of a report by Event Knowledge Services - the group responsible for reviewing potential locations for the Commonwealth Games Federation - which found the Gold Coast was more than capable of hosting an event of the magnitude of the Games.
The review by EKS focussed on four key areas - the Games Masterplan, venues, transport networks and security. The analysis shows the city can present a compact and efficient Masterplan for a Commonwealth Games bid, with several key attributes, and concludes: - The existing venue footprint is compact, with a number of excellent facilities and opportunities for temporary sporting venues close to the city centre
- It is feasible to develop additional competition venues leaving good legacies for the city
- A strong proposal has been developed for the Games Village, which locates it centrally, minimising travel times to competition and training venues and
Accommodation and potential sites are central with good connections to the coast's arterial road network
In addition, the bid analysis found the coast has a range of 'excellent competition venues suitable for Commonwealth Games competition with minimal adaptation' required.
A proposed Games Village, the report found, has "excellent" potential with strong transport linkage and minimal travel times. Overall, the report concludes "that there are no significant impediments to the development of a technically feasible bid by the Gold Coast."
The report outlining the coast's capabilities to stage a Commonwealth Games follows Ms Bligh's trip to India late last year where she met with Commonwealth Games Federation officials. Ahead of that delegation, the State Government had carried out a preliminary investigation which concluded the coast was well placed to launch a successful Games bid.
Under the plan, the Gold Coast region would host all core sporting events, with a handful of additional events to be held in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville.
As part of the pending bid, the Government will consider plans to proceed with a range of infrastructure projects including:
§ A new velodrome § An upgrade of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre § Further works on the new Carrara stadium to accommodate track and field § Construction of accommodation for the Athletes Village at Gold Coast Parklands in Southport - Temporary conversion of existing non-sporting facilities for use as squash courts and boxing and weightlifting arenas; and
- After the Games, the accommodation built at Parklands for the Athletes Village would provide new high-density housing and office space for the region, close to Griffith University, the new Gold Coast University Hospital and planned Rapid Transit Stations," the Premier said.
Other locations in competition with the Coast for the 2018 bid include Abuja and Nigeria with Auckland also considering a bid. State Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft and State Member for Burleigh Christine Smith said they were confident the Gold Coast was up to the job of hosting a Commonwealth Games. "The competition is steep but we are determined to give this our best shot,” Ms Croft said. "The coast already has a proven track record of hosting successful international sporting events and that will be a key factor in a successful bid,” Ms Smith said. A decision on the host city is expected to be announced before the end of 2011 Last changed: Mar 19 2010 at 11:29 AM
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