Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games worth $300m so far: report

The economic legacy so far from the Gold Coast hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games has been revealed in a new report.

A new report has revealed the sporting legacy of the Gold Coast’s Commonwealth Games has already been worth an estimated $300 million to the region’s economy.

The GC2018 Legacy: Beyond the Games report, compiled by leading consultants Ernst and Young, showed the value of permanent additions to infrastructure, such as indoor sports centres and upgraded outdoor facilities.

The report also analysed lessons learnt and potential considerations for Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games legacy planning.

The release of the report comes amid a backdrop of animated discussions about the future of the Brisbane Olympics, with fierce debate over whether a new major stadium should be built for 2032.

The Gold Coast Games were viewed as an overwhelming success, with more than 1.2 million spectators attending the 2018 showcase, which generated an estimated economic impact of $2.5 billion.

The Ernst and Young report focused specifically on the legacy of the Games, across factors including economy, lifestyle and community, and concluded the ‘success factor has been substantially met’.

Migaloo the white whale featured in the Gold Coast Games opening ceremony.

It also nodded to the role of the successful Commonwealth Games in helping to secure Brisbane’s own Olympic deal.

The report found events held at the major indoor venues built for the Commonwealth Games had since added more than $300 million to the city’s economy.

“It is estimated that City-run indoor sports venues bring in over $60 million in economic benefit annually to the Gold Coast,” the report said.

“Infrastructure developed in the Gold Coast continues to provide social benefits to the community including Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre (at Carrara) and Coomera Indoor Sports Centre.”

The community’s use of major sporting venues on the Gold Coast was also found to have increased by more than 5000 hours, according to bookings across all venues in the first 12 months after the Games alone.

The report also found there was an increase in the spirit of volunteering and community service immediately following GC2018 with a large uptake in volunteering for Queensland sporting events, such as the Gold Coast Marathon.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the results of the report showed the legacy of the 2018 Commonwealth Games proved what a successful event it had been.

Carrara Stadium was the main venue for the Gold Coast Games.

“It united our community and put a spotlight on Queensland and it’s clear we maximised the opportunity beyond the 12 days of competition,” he said.

“As we gear up for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics and look towards 2032, we can see the opportunity that comes with being on the international stage.”

Queensland Sport Minister Michael Healy said the benefits of the Comm Games were clear to see.

“The report clearly shows that the Gold Coast Games 2018 were a major sporting and economic success, with the legacy benefits extending well beyond the closing ceremony,” he said.

“Seeing world-class athletes up close and in person helps inspire others to dream of one day competing at that same elite level, or at the very least, simply become more active and healthier.”

State Development Minister Grace Grace said the report, and the Commonwealth Games themselves, showed Brisbane could deliver an Olympics to be proud of in 2032.

“It was a fantastic celebration of both sport and the Gold Coast that we will never forget, and it is wonderful that the positive impacts are still being felt years later,” she said.

“The 2018 Commonwealth Games also showed that South East Queensland was ready to host the biggest sporting event in the world, and I’m pleased the report outlined potential considerations for Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games legacy planning.”