First glimpses of Games Village revealed

Queenslanders have been given their first look at one of the key infrastructure projects for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games to be built at the Parklands site near Southport.

Premier Campbell Newman said the Commonwealth Games Village development project at Parklands was one of the largest urban renewal projects ever undertaken on the Gold Coast.

“I am pleased to confirm that we have reached agreement with Grocon to be the preferred developer of the Games Village and look forward to working with them on the transformation of the 29-hectare site,” Mr Newman said.

“The Commonwealth Games Village will provide essential services and accommodation for 6,500 athletes and officials in Games-mode and will be one of the Games’ most significant legacy projects.

“This project will inject an estimated $500 million into the local economy over the next five years and will generate more than 1,500 jobs during its construction phase.

“Overall, the Commonwealth Games and associated projects are expected to generate approximately $2 billion in economic benefits to the State and generate up to 30,000 full-time jobs.

“Our CanDo approach has ensured we are on track to deliver the best Commonwealth Games ever, on-time and on-budget.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the project offered a tremendous opportunity for the local construction industry with much of the labour to be sourced locally.

“The Government is developing a whole-of-Games forward procurement plan to help industry and businesses plan ahead to take full advantage of the significant business opportunities that the Games represent,” Mr Seeney said.

“The Commonwealth Games Village will occupy seven hectares of the 29-hectare Parklands site with a further seven hectares dedicated to parks and open space.

“The balance of land will be held by the State for the future health and knowledge precinct from 2018, integrating with the existing hospital and university.

“Grocon will deliver more than 1,200 permanent apartments and townhouses and a neighbourhood retail centre at Parklands, with the construction of 30 new buildings ranging in height from single level to eight levels.

“Today’s release of the master plan to the community shows that we remain well on track with this project, with stage one of demolition works already completed.

“Once demolition is finalised, work will begin to prepare the site for the start of construction of the Games Village in 2015.”

Minister for Tourism, Small Business, Events and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey said the Commonwealth Games Village will be an iconic hub during and long after the Games.

“Central to the design is a village heart which captures the essence of the Commonwealth Games,” Ms Stuckey said.

“It will create a great civic space that will no doubt become a focal point as the Gold Coast is propelled onto the international stage.

“After the Games, Parklands will provide significant infrastructure as it becomes home to people and new businesses as part of a modern, mixed-used community which will include residential and a new business hub for health and knowledge, commercial and retail development.”

Grocon CEO Carolyn Viney said they are thrilled to be part of the redevelopment of Parklands.

“Grocon is honoured to be involved in delivering this important development for Queensland and we are focused on delivering a precinct of enduring value to the Gold Coast community,” Ms Viney said.

“Grocon’s design captures the essence of the sub-tropical environment of Queensland’s south coast with special attention being paid to sunlight, shading, natural air flows and water.

“The urban and landscape design approach adopts the history and unique characteristics of the Gold Coast and its hinterland, intertwined with the role that water has played, and will continue to play, in shaping the Parklands site.

“This approach finds its most obvious outcome in the major water feature at the village heart where the built environment meets the community park. The master plan design incorporates more than 30 new buildings ranging in height from single level to eight levels.

“Grocon has submitted our proposed master plan for development approval and we aim to commence construction later this year.”

The masterplan, a simulated fly-through and artists impressions are available at http://www.edq.qld.gov.au/commonwealth-games-village/economic-development-queensland/commonwealth-games-village.html

[ENDS] 24 March 2014

Media contacts:

Premier – Mitch Grayson 0409 284 356 Deputy Premier – Jane Paterson 0417 281 754

Minister Stuckey – Natalie Wynne 0439 291 268

About Grocon: Grocon is Australia’s largest private property investment, development and construction company and has been creating buildings in Australia’s major cities for almost 60 years. Some of the landmarks created by Grocon include the Rialto Towers, Eureka Tower and the redevelopment of the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the lead-up to the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. On the Gold Coast, Grocon completed the Oracle Apartments at Broadbeach and Soul at Surfers Paradise. Grocon has operations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, the US and UAE.