New recruits welcomed to Games headquarters

More than 180 staff have started work at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organising Corporation (GOLDOC)’s headquarters in the last fortnight, as preparations heat up just 77 days out from the opening ceremony.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said GOLDOC welcomed 183 new staff over the last week to take their total to 1327 people, with an extra 300 staff recruited in coming weeks to deal with an increased workload.

“Above all else, my Government is committed to creating jobs for Queenslanders and that’s exactly what we’re doing through the Commonwealth Games,” she said.

“The Commonwealth Games is providing unique opportunities working on the biggest sporting event in Queensland’s history.

“I’m proud to say the Commonwealth Games is expected to generate the equivalent of more than 16,000 full-time jobs and deliver around $2.5 billion for Queensland’s economy.

“That’s not including an additional $2.6 billion government and private investment in Games infrastructure that will see ongoing benefits for years to come.”

During the Commonwealth Games, “GHQ” will become the operations centre for many of the Games functions.

Gaven MP and Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon said she was impressed at the quality of the Ashmore headquarters.

“I’ve lived on the Gold Coast my whole life and to see the difference the Commonwealth Games has already made is staggering,” she said.

“We’ve seen three new sporting venues constructed as well as one new multi-purpose venue and upgrades to seven existing venues – this alone will see the Gold Coast continue to be a world-class staging ground for sporting events for years to come.

“Walking through the Games headquarters, it’s amazing to think that in a few short months this will be the centre of the sporting world.”

Media contact: Premier’s Office – Susan McGrady 0488 996 667