Plan for Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has released preliminary plans for how the Gold Coast would stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games if chosen as the host city.

The Premier is taking the plans to Delhi this week, where she will meet with Commonwealth Games officials in relation to the potential for the Gold Coast to bid for the Games.

"Hosting a huge international event such as the Commonwealth Games is no small feat," Premier Bligh explained, adding "these preliminary plans demonstrate why the Gold Coast is up to the task.

"Ahead of my trip to Delhi to meet with Games officials, we have undertaken an investigation to determine if the Gold Coast has the capacity to bid for the Games.

"The investigation has found the Gold Coast is well placed to launch a successful bid, and we now have an outline of what we'd need to do to make the Coast ready to stage such a massive event."

Premier Bligh said if the Queensland Government proceeds with a bid to host the Games and is chosen as the host city, a range of infrastructure projects will be undertaken on the Gold Coast.

These include:

• 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
• Conversion of Warner Bros Sound Stages for use as the International Broadcast and Press Centre, as well as the location for badminton events.

Premier Bligh continued "this would be a huge boost to infrastructure on the Gold Coast (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 the Rapid Transit Stations.

"This would be a win-win for the Gold Coast and shows how smart planning could turn Commonwealth Games facilities into long-term infrastructure for the Coast.

"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."

Premier Bligh said under the initial proposal outlined, the Gold Coast region would host all core sporting events, with a handful of additional events to be held in Brisbane, Beenleigh, Cairns and Townsville.

"This would be an event to showcase Queensland to the world, delivering a huge boost to our tourism industry.

"If the bid proceeds, we will be marketing the whole state, pitching a trip to the Games as an opportunity to visit the many wonderful destinations around Queensland.

"I look forward to outlining our early ideas to the Commonwealth Games Officials this week."

Premier Bligh will be joined in Delhi by representatives from Abuja, Nigeria and Auckland, New Zealand, who are also considering entering bids to host the Games, concluding "there is no doubt there will be steep competition, but I can think of no better place than the Gold Coast to put on a show for the world.

"The Gold Coast has a proven track record of hosting successful international sporting events and this is a key factor I will promoting during my meetings in India."

A final decision on whether Australia will bid for the Games will be made by both the Queensland Government and the Australian Commonwealth Games Association early next year, with the formal bid to be lodged with the Commonwealth Games foundation by 2011.

4th August 2009 - TOP LEVEL SPORT ACADEMY ESTABLISHED ON THE GOLD COAST