Location of venues for the 2018 Commonwealth Games

The Minister for the Commonwealth Games, the Hon. Jann Stuckey, and the Chairman of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC), Mr Nigel Chamier OAM, today said that no changes have or are being considered as to which cities will host Commonwealth Games events.

In recent days there has been speculation in the media with no factual foundation about the location of venues. GOLDOC and the State Government have been getting on with the job of planning and organising the Games and everything is going to plan. In fact, we are well ahead in many areas compared to other hosts at the same time.

Let us be very clear. Management is not investigating any change of cities for one or more venues; the Sport and Technical Sub-Committee of the Board is not considering any such changes and, the Board has had nothing on its agenda for consideration and nothing is scheduled.

Likewise, there have been no discussions about relocating venues to different cities with either the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) or the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) (the international governing body of the Commonwealth Games based in London).

The commitments made during the bidding period and contained in the Candidate City File (CCF) stand. The file is a legally binding contract signed by the CGF, the Queensland Government, the ACGA and the Gold Coast City Council. No changes to the plan can be made without consideration by the ACGA and the CGF.

Indeed, in looking at future hosts, the CGF found the prospect of awarding the Games to a regional city, such as the Gold Coast, to be an attractive one as it was looking to widen the appeal of hosting the Games beyond national and state capitals post 2018.

In relation to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, the Government is examining the possibility of accelerating the upgrading of the facility, in partnership with the Gold Coast City Council, to host the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Irrespective of the outcome of these deliberations, the centre will be upgraded well before the 2018 Commonwealth Games and aquatic events will be held on the Gold Coast. 

In relation to sports being conducted in Brisbane, it has always been the case that two events will be conducted in the Brisbane local government area. This was outlined in the CCF which was released publically on 11 May 2011 (see the end of the document for a link to its location).

In relation to shooting, the former Gold Coast City Council endorsed the use of Belmont Shooting Centre (in Brisbane) given its capacity to host multiple shooting disciplines. This represented significant financial savings rather than develop shooting facilities on the Gold Coast.

In relation to cycling and a velodrome, the Government examined the history of the financial viability of such facilities around Australia. It was found that a velodrome on the Gold Coast would have had significant ongoing operational costs for the Gold Coast City Council.  It was therefore agreed by all parties that a velodrome at Chandler in Brisbane as part of a State cycling centre as advocated by Australian and Queensland Cycling would be the most cost effective option.

In relation to basketball and gymnastics - the former Council was asked whether the Gold Coast needed another sport and entertainment centre (8,000 to 10,000 seat capacity) which could be used to host Commonwealth Games gymnastics and the basketball.  The Council undertook a study and informed the Bid Company that no such facility was needed and signed off on the final facility plan that saw gymnastics in a relocatable facility on the Gold Coast and basketball preliminary rounds being conducted in Townsville and Cairns.

As indicated in the Candidate City File, the Government is underwriting a net $1.1 billion investment in the redevelopment of Parklands into a residential and commercial precinct; the acceleration of community and sports facilities on the Gold Coast; the upgrading of transport systems and, the staging of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Spending on these projects is projected to generate a $2 billion economic benefit and generate up to 30,000 full time equivalent jobs. The Games will give the state tremendous international exposure; great new and upgraded facilities; a significant economic injection and a workforce with the skills, knowledge and contacts that we can use well into the future.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast will be three times the size of the 1982 Games in Brisbane. Just as Brisbane received a significant boost from hosting the Games 30 years ago – the Gold Coast will benefit in a similar way. The Government and GOLDOC are focussed on delivering a great Games, in a great city leaving great memories and great benefits for all.

[ENDS]  10 October 2012

Media contacts: Minister Stuckey’s office: Lynette Keep, 0419 620 299, lynette.keep@ministerial.qld.gov.au

GOLDOC: Tamara Morris, 0400 658 429, Tamara.morris@goldoc.com