Poll reveals a third of businesses felt negative impacts from Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

A NEW poll has revealed what Gold Coast small-to-medium size businesses really thought about the impact of the Commonwealth Games.

The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony at Carrara Stadium was a massive celebration but many businesses did not feel like partying. Photo credit: A Carlile/MEGA

A THIRD of Gold Coast businesses have reported negative or highly negative impacts from the Commonwealth Games, the latest Griffith University — Gold Coast Bulletin Business Confidence Poll reveals.

The result, based on responses from 96 small-to-medium size businesses, is at odds with surveys leading up to the Games, including the Suncorp CCIQ Pulse Survey, which showed business in a buoyant mood, in part thanks to the projected benefits of the Games.

The latest poll shows 20 per cent reported detrimental impacts and 13 per cent recorded highly detrimental impacts from the Games.

On a positive note, 30 per cent of businesses surveyed reported beneficial impacts.

Darren Attard, who heads up Helensvale-based watercraft apparel business Jetpilot Australia, said business was quiet during the 11 days of the Games.

Jetpilot Australia owner Darren Attard said business was quiet during the Games. Picture: Scott Fletcher

“Business was down for the whole period as locals were scared away, so normal customer numbers were down and visitors didn’t come,” he said. John Penglis, owner of Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard & Winery, called the Games a “disaster for local tourism”.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN

GOLD COAST BUSINESSES BLINDSIDED BY TRADE DROP

“Because of the announcements made prior to the Games, that there would be traffic hold-ups, we had many of our overseas tour groups cancel. As it was school holidays, the usual influx of visitors this time chose to visit the Sunshine Coast or northern NSW instead of the Gold Coast,” he said.

Mitch Larkin waves to supporters at the Commonwealth Games Athletes Parade. Australia was successful on the sporting field but many businesses have a losing feeling. AAP Image/Claudia Baxter

Complete Avionics director Greg Clark, who runs the Bilinga-based aircraft maintenance and equipment business, said most businesses failed to benefit from the Games.

“The staging of the Games, although a benefit for athletes and some businesses, was for a majority of business a problem that we did not need. The M1 needs to be the number one priority,” Mr Clark said.

Griffith University Pro Vice Chancellor Business, Professor David Grant said it was unfortunate some businesses reported losses during the Games.

“Hopefully they will benefit in the long term as the city’s status as an investment destination gains momentum and as the tourism and the events industries start to gain from increased awareness created by coverage of the Games in Australia and overseas,” Prof Grant said.

He said many businesses had now turned their attention towards fixing the M1 Motorway. Seventy-one per cent of respondents said it was vital that there is a “urgent funding solution” for an M1 upgrade.

“The Coast is set to enter a highly progressive era and easing traffic congestion is seen to be crucial to the success of this.

“A better M1 combined with the impacts of the Games’ legacies is believed to be something that would be highly beneficial to the local economy,” he said.

TOMORROW: SPECIAL REPORT - WHERE GAMES MONEY REALLY WENT