New report into 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games shows business paid price for misleading campaign by organisers

New research has revealed the true cost to local businesses of a misleading campaign by GC2018 organisers in the lead-up to the event.

Gold Coast businesses were underwhelmed by the benefits of the Games.

NEW research has revealed the true cost to local businesses of a misleading campaign by GC2018 organisers in the lead-up to the event.

The researchers who successfully predicted a downturn in the Gold Coast economy during the Commonwealth Games have released a snapshot of their post-Games study ahead of revealing their full findings at 7.30pm.

They’ve found a lack of reliable and accurate information left businesses unable to prepare effectively, while disrupted market forces and increased costs also contributed to operators feeling an overwhelmingly negative impact.

Greg Colwill owner of Elephant Rock Cafe in Currumbin was not happy with the fencing and closed carparks around his business weeks before the Games began. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

The data, compiled by Griffith Business School researchers Dr Joan Carlini and Professor Andrew O’Neil, found 80 per cent of businesses found the cost of preparing for the Games to be “a lot”, that 74 per cent viewed the impact on their business as negative and 64 per cent would not prepare in the same way if a similar event was planned.

Almost three quarters of businesses surveyed said they had no boost from the Games and 77 per cent did not think their return on investment was good.

The researchers' last report, Gold Coast Business and the Commonwealth Games: Impact, Legacy and Opportunity, predicted a 40 per cent reduction in demand for non-tourism businesses during the Games and highlighted a risk the event would “fail to generate additional employment or income benefits” in the short to medium term, and that it would also deter locals from spending.

Adrian Bond, and Katie O'Neill (behind) of Jet Ski Safaris were amazed at how quiet their business and others surrounding had been during the Commonwealth Games.

The research was largely ignored by the council and State Government’s Get Set for the Games initiative, whose unattributed customer projections and traffic disruptions proved largely overstated, leaving many businesses out of pocket after stocking up on staff and supplies for customers who failed to materialise.

While conducting the survey earlier this year, Dr Carlini said the projections of Games organisers had proven “highly inaccurate” and that was reflected in the negative impacts on business.

Marina Mirage restaurateur Carlo Percuoco from Fellini said the traffic scare campaign by Games organisers hurt his business during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Picture: Jerad Williams

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The views of business owners about whether the Games had wider benefit for the city was mixed, with many agreeing they had contributed to the Gold Coast’s capacity to attract future sporting events.

Of those surveyed, 62 per cent agreed the Games would aid in attracting more sporting events; 57 per cent agreed they had contributed to the ability of the city to offer attractive cultural, artistic and recreational resources; and 65 per cent described their overall experience attending GC2018 events as “good to excellent.

However, just 23 per cent agreed the Games had contributed to urban infrastructure that would build the city’s image, and just 42 per cent agreed it had contributed to the Gold Coast growing into a world-class city with distinct strengths.

The full report will be released at 7.30pm.