Commonwealth Games chiefs to make Gold Coast like Melbourne 2006

GOLD Coast Commonwealth Games chiefs have arrived in Melbourne to try and replicate the 2006 Games success.

Ron Walker with Comm Games bosses Peter Beattie and Mark Peters at the MCG. Picture: Mark Stewart

COMMONWEALTH Games organisers in Queensland are leaning on Melbourne’s sports and major event expertise to ensure next year’s Gold Coast Games are a hit.

Gold Coast Games chairman Peter Beattie and chief executive Mark Peters arrived in Melbourne yesterday to seek help from 2006 chairman Ron Walker about how to replicate Victoria’s success.

Organisers have also begun consulting Australian Grand Prix chairman John Harnden, chief of the 2006 Games, and former Victorian Sports Minister Justin Madden about Melbourne’s magnificent event.

”Melbourne ran the best games to date in 2006 and Ron has been incredible generous in terms of his guidance and help, as have the Melbourne organisers,” Mr Beattie said.

“From our point of view, if we can run the Gold Coast Games as well as Melbourne did we will be very happy.”

Former Queensland Premier Mr Beattie predicted the Gold Coast Games would have a knock-on effect for Victoria’s economy with overseas visitors adding Victoria to their itinerary.

“You will get benefits,” he said.

“Particularly because of Melbourne’s history of sport a lot of people will go to the Gold Coast and Brisbane and then they will do another major city and it’s very much likely to be Melbourne.”

Gabriella 9, and Ariella, 6, on Surfers Paradise beach, look forward to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Mr Peters said Queensland wanted to copy Melbourne’s arts and cultural companionship of competition and make it a financial as well as sporting success, like Melbourne 2006.

“That was an incredible success here in Melbourne, combining that arts and culture aspect with the sporting aspect,” he said.

”We’re appreciative of the information we get and the ability to be able to come back and talk to Ron and John and test things that we want to do.’'

He said the legacy Melbourne’s Games left the city including new and improved venues, the William Barak footbridge from the CBD to the MCG and its positive economic impact were admirable.

“Melbourne has established itself as one of, if not the, leading events cities of the world,’’ he said.

“So how can we as a regional city learn about what to do and take advantage of this global event? ... and tap into the great tradition here of Melburnians wanting to be at then best sporting events.’’

Mr Walker said Melbourne 2016 also attracted “billions of dollars worth of business and trade’’.

“It worked for us — what we want to do now is help the Gold Coast succeed,’’ he said.

With ticket requests now open and almost 70 nations to compete on the Gold Coast, Mr Beattie urged Victorians to turn sports tourist.

“We just want people to be part of this international event and we know Victorians are sports mad,’’ he said.

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