Qld puts up cash for Comm Games bid

Sunshine Coast Daily

Poll

Should Queensland spend $11 million on the bid?

This poll ended on 30 November 2010.

Yes, it will be good for the state.

41%

No, it's a waste of tax payers' money.

55%

I don't really care.

2%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

QUEENSLAND will reap vast economic gains if the Gold Coast wins the right to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the premier says.

Anna Bligh on Monday said the government would spend up to $11 million on a formal bid to host the Games.

She said up to 30,000 jobs would be created in the lead up to and during the event, with tourism and construction the big winners.

The Gold Coast will be competing against Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Auckland is also considering a bid.

Ms Bligh said the millions earmarked for the bid would be money well spent.

"... not only will we have the chance to host a very significant event with major economic benefits for the state, the coastal strip will benefit with a significant boost to its infrastructure," she said.

"That will not only include new and upgraded sporting facilities, but improvements and upgrades to roads and other transport networks and new housing developments."

Ms Bligh said her government would now work closely with the Australian Commonwealth Games Association in lodging the formal bid.

Tourism Minister and Member for Southport Peter Lawlor said a successful bid would provide a golden opportunity to showcase the region's tourism assets to the world.

Ms Bligh said the government decided to support a formal bid after a positive assessment by the group responsible for reviewing potential sites for the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Event Knowledge Services found the Gold Coast could provide a compact Games venue with a number of excellent existing facilities, and the potential to develop new venues.

Its transport and accommodation facilities were also given the nod.

If the Gold Coast is successful, it will host all core sporting events, with a handful of additional events to be held in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville.

As part of the bid, the government will consider new infrastructure projects, including an athletes village at Gold Coast Parklands at Southport, a new velodrome, an upgrade of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, and work at the new Carrara stadium to accommodate track and field events.

News of a formal bid comes after Ms Bligh travelled to India late last year where she met with Commonwealth Games Federation officials.