Ernst and Young report determines legacy benefits of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

An independent Ernst and Young review of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) has found the legacy benefits for the community have been substantially met or exceeded expectations.

The State Government engaged Ernst and Young (EY) to assess and report on legacy benefits in the first five years following the Games up to 15th April 2023.

The report noted that infrastructure developed in the Gold Coast continues to provide social benefits to the community, with the community’s use of major sporting venues on the Gold Coast having increased by 5,584 hours booked across all venues in the first 12 months alone.

Additionally, the report found that there was an increase in the spirit of volunteering and community service immediately following GC2018 with a large uptake in volunteering for Queensland sporting events, such as the Gold Coast Marathon.

The GC2018 Legacy: Beyond the Games report 2024 focussed on evaluating legacy outcomes against three themes:

• ‘Our economy’ - which related to opportunities to strengthen Queensland’s economy

• ‘Our lifestyle’ - which related to leading our community to a more healthy, active and sustainable lifestyle

• ‘Our community’ - which related to maximising opportunities GC2018 presents to celebrate our diversity and promote community cohesion and pride.

The report determined that across these three themes, the ‘success factor has been substantially met’.

Other benefits, such as ‘enabling businesses to improve their internal processes’, and ‘legislative change that has had legacy benefits for Queensland businesses’, were included in the framework following additional stakeholder consultation.

Importantly, the report determined that across these benefits, the ‘success factor has been achieved or exceeded’.

Since GC2018, the reputation of Queensland cities as sporting cities has improved, with Brisbane ranked the highest Australian city on the BCW global ranking of sport cities and the Gold Coast also placed on the prestigious list.

The report also included an analysis of lessons learnt and potential considerations for Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games legacy planning, particularly in relation to key performance indicators (KPIs) or elements of success.

The Queensland Government is addressing the recommendations in the report through the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Strategy and Elevate 2042.

QLD Premier Steven Miles notes “The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was the largest international sporting event in Australia for a decade.

“And by all accounts it was a roaring success, with 1.2 million people attending and a global television audience of 1.5 billion people.

“It united our community and put a spotlight on Queensland and it’s clear we maximised the opportunity beyond the 12 days of competition.

“As we gear up for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics and look towards 2032, we can see the opportunity that comes with being on the international stage.”

QLD Minister for Sport Michael Healy added “The report clearly shows that the Gold Coast Games 2018 were a major sporting and economic success, with the legacy benefits extending well beyond the closing ceremony.

“Seeing world class athletes up close and in person helps inspire others to dream of one day competing at that same elite level, or at the very least, simply become more active and healthier.

“The health and wellbeing of our community is the Miles Government’s top priority, so it’s particularly pleasing to see Gold Coast residents have been motivated to utilise the sporting and recreational infrastructure that the Games delivered.”

Access the GC2018 Legacy: Beyond the Games report 2024