Commonwealth Games continue to deliver for Queensland, one year on

The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games continue to benefit the region and the state a year later, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

Marking the one year anniversary of the Games opening, the Premier said there has been an ongoing boost to major events and tourism, transport and community infrastructure, sporting facilities and Queensland’s international trade.

“Griffith University estimates our Games will deliver $2.5 billion in Gross State Product over nine years – an increase of $500 million on estimates made in 2017,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“As many as 87 per cent of spectators said they were likely to return and 85 per cent would bring family and friends.

“And growth in trade and investment as a result of trade and investment events during the Games is forecast to be worth $840 million in the first four years.”

Economic modelling released today shows in the six months directly following the Games, more than 320 events hosted in venues built or upgraded ahead of the Commonwealth Games generated $61 million for the Gold Coast.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said council had already booked 50 events for 2020.

“Today’s data proves that the Commonwealth Games are having a real impact on the Gold Coast’s tourism industry,” she said.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without our $1.5 billion investment in infrastructure ahead of the Commonwealth Games.”

Ms Jones said a major upgrade to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, the showpiece of GC2018 swimming and diving, was just one of many upgrades that has helped to secure new events for the Gold Coast.

“Since the Games, the Coast continues to attract high profile events at the Aquatic Centre with the pool rescue competition at the World Lifesaving Championships to be held at the venue over August and September 2024,” she said.

“The event will host 5000 competitors from 50 countries and contribute a $15 million boost to the local economy.

“This is exactly what the Commonwealth Games legacy is all about – new major events that support tourism jobs on the Gold Coast.”

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the Commonwealth Games had also had a major impact on community participation in sport.

“Some Gold Coast venues have reported a 200 per cent increase in weekend sport participation,” Ms Scanlon said.

“We invested heavily in new sports venues and significant improvements to existing facilities ahead of the Games and our community is reaping the rewards now.”

Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre Director Brendan Flynn said the centre, a training facility for GC2018 athletes, had experienced a post Games boom with membership numbers soaring.

“Because of the Commonwealth Games, we upgraded our running track and hockey pitch to an internationally accredited standard and we also upgraded our gym just prior to the Games, and we have never been busier,” he said.

“We are hosting athletes and teams from different sporting codes from China, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Myanmar.

“We are a training venue for athletes competing in the INAS Global Games in October, with teams from France, the United States, Oceania Region and the Czech Republic.

“The teams will be living and training on the Gold Coast pre-games so those athletes will be eating, sleeping, shopping and using local facilities for more than four weeks.

Gold Coast Basketball has also reported a spike in registration numbers on the back of the Commonwealth Games and its legacy of an improved facility at Carrara, with an additional night of junior competition added to the schedule.

City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said council data showed strong participation in sport across its venues.

“Participation numbers are through the roof with residents, as well as thousands of interstate and overseas visitors, enjoying our facilities post Games,’’ Mayor Tom Tate said.

“The flow-on effect is that visiting competitors often bring family and supporters with them, boosting our accommodation providers, restaurants, hire car outlets and shopping precincts.

“Post-games legacy is expected to be a part of the city’s story for at least the next decade or more.’’

City of Gold Coast data for its own venues shows a strong resurgence in sport participation and a strong surge in bookings over the next several years.

ENDS

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447