One million construction hours clocked in race to build Games Village

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Commonwealth Games Minister Stirling Hinchliffe today got the first look at the finished proto-type apartment for the Parklands Project that will be transformed into the athlete’s village for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Premier Palaszczuk said more than 1,800 workers have already been involved in construction on the $550 million Parklands Project that will be home to more than 6,600 athletes and officials when the Games start in 590 days.

“In less than 19 months’ time we will welcome thousands of athletes from all over the Commonwealth to the coast as they prepare to compete in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games,” the Premier said.

“Now the proto-type apartment has been finished the builders will be able to focus on fine-tuning the finishing touches to ensure the village can be a comfortable home for more than 6,600 athletes and officials.

“The Parklands Project is one of the most significant urban renewal projects ever undertaken on the Gold Coast incorporating seven hectares of residential and retail precincts and seven hectares of parklands and open space.

“The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is supporting strong jobs growth on the coast, with the Parklands project estimated to support 1,500 full time jobs during design and construction.

“So far more than 1,800 individual workers have played a role in construction of this project clocking up an incredible one million hours of work.

“When the Games start in April 2018, this site will be home to the best athletes and officials from all the Commonwealth countries, but after the curtain closes on the Closing Ceremony workers will get started on converting the site back into residential apartments.

“Apartments in the masterplanned development in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct will become available to the public for rent from early 2019.”

Minister for the Commonwealth Games Stirling Hinchliffe said an apartment proto-type had been developed to ensure quality control across the development.

“We’re all going for gold to deliver a great Games and first-class facilities, including a great athlete’s quarter,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“By completing a proto-type apartment the developer Grocon is able to ensure quality control before replicating the finishing works across all 1,252 dwellings.

“The proto-type has been fitted out with the final apartment finishes, including kitchen, taps, tiling, painting and carpet.

“It’s great to be able to get a feel for the high quality workmanship which we will witness when the project is completed late 2017.”

Mr Hinchliffe said South East Queensland businesses had secured 85 of the 91 contracts awarded for the Parklands project, with 45 of the contracts awarded to Gold Coast businesses.

“All contracts for the finishing trades have now been awarded, seven of which will be delivered by Gold Coast businesses in joinery, electrical, painting, tiling, balustrades and benchtops,” he said.

Grocon Executive Chairman Daniel Grollo said the Parklands Project would provide a range of housing options, retail, businesses, services and community infrastructure for those working in, studying at and visiting the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct post-Games.

“We’re in this for the long term and high quality, sustainable and accessible dwellings are a key part of the legacy we are creating here with the Queensland Government and our partners at Abu Dhabi Investment Council,” Mr Grollo said.

“It is great to see the excellence in finish and execution being displayed by those who have built this development, from the Grocon team through to the many and varied sub-contractors and labour, with the predominant bulk of the effort being provided by local people.”

In late 2017 Parklands Project will be leased to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) to be transformed into the Commonwealth Games Village during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Grocon will then prepare the development for a mixed use residential community including 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bedroom townhouses.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will run from 4 - 15 April 2018.

For more information on the Games visit www.gc2018.com

Overlay links:

Drone footage:http://tinyurl.com/hbz7ejl

Timelapse:http://tinyurl.com/zsej6k2

Flythrough & flythrough teaser:http://tinyurl.com/h2yppod