Gold Coast 2018

[world atlas]

2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games allocated $100 million in Queensland State Budget

by: Michael Madigan June 04, 2013 6:07PM

BUILD-UP: The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games are already having a spin-off effect.

PREPARATIONS for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games could help reinvigorate Queensland's tourism industry, after the event was allocated $100 million in the State Budget.

State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney said while 2018 was a long way off, vital work was already under way to transform one of the state's iconic tourism destinations.

"Development of that infrastructure will boost the construction sector, generate thousands of new jobs across various industries and should inject around $2 billion into the Gold Coast economy," Mr Seeney said.

Budget money earmarked for tourism includes:

$15 million for tourism and event marketing.

$2 million to recommissioning the Mary Valley line.

$4.2 million funding for an environmental impact study for the dredging of Cairns' Trinity Inlet.

$7 million for the Regional Tourism Organisation Network.

Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said the $100 million allocated for the Commonwealth Games would have a major impact on the state's tourism sector.

The spending included $59.3 million this financial year for planning work and redevelopment of the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre.

A further $46.1 million had been allocated to develop the Commonwealth Games Village at Parklands, where site works would start in October.

Mr Seeney said the $2 million for the Mary Valley line was the first step in getting the heritage tourism train "The Valley Rattler" back on the tracks.

The dredging of the Trinity Inlet was needed to allow larger ships into Cairns.

"Opening up Trinity Inlet would allow large cruise ships to dock in Cairns and could also provide for larger naval vessels to access HMAS Cairns," he said.

http://www.news.com.au/news/gold-coast-commonwealth-games-allocated-100-million-in-queensland-state-budget/story-fnii5v6w-1226657247998

[Sir Rols]

Commonwealth Games Village to Start in October

Construction on the Commonwealth Games Village will start later this year following the allocation of almost $50 million in the 2013/14 state budget to prepare the site, the Queensland government says.

In a statement, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney says $46.1 million has been allocated toward the village’s construction in 2013/14.

“Demolition of existing facilities at the Parklands will start soon after the Government takes control of the site in October,” Seeney says, adding that the project would be one of the most significant developments ever seen on the Gold Coast and would boost the construction sector, generate employment opportunities across a range of industries and inject around $2 billion into the local economy.

“That will be followed by bulk earthworks, construction of trunk roads and infrastructure such as water, electrical and communications,” he noted.

Set to be built on the Parklands site in Gold Coast City, the village will be home to 6,500 athletes and team officials during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, after which it is expected to form the key residential, commercial and retail component of Gold Coast City Council’s vision for a health and knowledge precinct which includes Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University.

Seeney says Economic Development Queensland is currently in the process of assessing expressions of interest from seven prospective development partners, from which it will produce a short list of whom will be invited to submit a detailed Request for Proposal later this year.

He says a decision on the final development partner is expected by early 2014.

Still, the village has been at the centre of controversy amid complaints local consultants have missed out on opportunities during the procurement process.

According to a News Ltd report last week, a letter sent by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation chief executive Mark Peters outlined concerns that local construction and engineering firms were missing out on contracts for delivery of the games.

Design Build Source

[Alexjc]

Commonwealth Games Village to Start in October

Construction on the Commonwealth Games Village will start later this year following the allocation of almost $50 million in the 2013/14 state budget to prepare the site, the Queensland government says.

In a statement, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney says $46.1 million has been allocated toward the village’s construction in 2013/14.

“Demolition of existing facilities at the Parklands will start soon after the Government takes control of the site in October,” Seeney says, adding that the project would be one of the most significant developments ever seen on the Gold Coast and would boost the construction sector, generate employment opportunities across a range of industries and inject around $2 billion into the local economy.

“That will be followed by bulk earthworks, construction of trunk roads and infrastructure such as water, electrical and communications,” he noted.

Set to be built on the Parklands site in Gold Coast City, the village will be home to 6,500 athletes and team officials during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, after which it is expected to form the key residential, commercial and retail component of Gold Coast City Council’s vision for a health and knowledge precinct which includes Gold Coast University Hospital and Griffith University.

Seeney says Economic Development Queensland is currently in the process of assessing expressions of interest from seven prospective development partners, from which it will produce a short list of whom will be invited to submit a detailed Request for Proposal later this year.

He says a decision on the final development partner is expected by early 2014.

Still, the village has been at the centre of controversy amid complaints local consultants have missed out on opportunities during the procurement process.

According to a News Ltd report last week, a letter sent by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation chief executive Mark Peters outlined concerns that local construction and engineering firms were missing out on contracts for delivery of the games.

Design Build Source

Wooo...It's getting real now...

[Sir Rols]

Pan Pacific Championships heading for Gold Coast after money confirmed to upgrade pool

June 21 - The Gold Coast will host the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, it was finally confirmed today, after the money to upgrade facilities necessary to stage the event were set aside in the City Council's annual budget.

The city was awarded the event last November after Australian officials agreed to spend $41 million (£26 million/€32 million) to bring the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre up to standard for an event that is considered one of the highlights of the swimming calendar.

It was agreed that the cost would be shared between Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Government.

But it is only now that Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has confirmed that the $20 million (£13 million/€15 million) from the city will be set aside to keep their side of the agreement.

The upgrade to the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre, which will also be a major vene for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, will include a new 10-lane 50 metre competition pool, new learn-to-swim pool, elevated spectator concourse/viewing terrace, new change room, gym and toilet facilities, community meeting rooms, event facilities, permanent seating for approximately 1,000 people, and refurbishment of the existing eight-lane 50m pool and dive pool.

"It has always been my view that we must benefit from the Games well before the opening ceremony in 2018," Tate said in his budget speech.

"Delivering this project will see the Gold Coast host the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in 2014.

"That will cement our reputation as Australia's emerging sports capital."

It will be the first time that Australia has hosted the Pan Pacific Championships, an event that the likes of Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe have previously participated in, since 1999 when Sydney staged the event as a warm-up for the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics.

The last time they were staged in Queensland was at Brisbane in 1987.

Insidethegames

[world atlas]

Harness racing row goes to Prince Imran

Matthew Killoran | 03:34pm July 8, 2013

THE Gold Coast Harness Racing Club has written to Commonwealth Games Federation boss Prince Tunku Imran asking him to delay construction of the athletes village, because the organisation will be homeless once the bulldozers roll in.

Harness racing boss Barry Grimsey called on Prince Imran to intervene and threatened that the club would use whatever legal means it had at its disposal to delay work on the village, which will be built at Parklands.

The club is based at Parklands and argues it will be left with nowhere to go when construction starts in October on the village, which will house participants in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.

After the Games the 29.4ha site -- next to the new $1.7 billion Gold Coast University Hospital -- will become a commercial health and knowledge precinct.

The club is demanding new land or compensation and is expected to lodge a legal claim with the courts this month.

The fiery letter has also been sent to the heads of other Commonwealth Games organisations around the world.

Mr Grimsey said he sent the letter because he felt the State Government had been ignoring the club.

"If they can't come to the party I will do my damnedest to put a spanner in the works for the Games," he said.

In the letter, Mr Grimsey said he was bitterly disappointed with the way the club had been treated by the Queensland Government.

"As a sporting organisation at a very high level you should be appalled that a local sport is being destroyed to make way for an international event, your Commonwealth Games," he wrote.

Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey would not comment on whether the letter would have an impact on the city's reputation with the Commonwealth Games Federation or if any legal action could delay construction of the village.

She said it was a matter for Racing Queensland. A Racing Queensland spokeswoman said the organisation was still working through a solution for the club.

A spokeswoman for Racing Minister Steve Dickson said they could not comment as it had become a legal matter.

A Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation spokeswoman said the federation had responded to a previous letter from Mr Grimsey, saying the dispute was between the club and government.

Gold Coast

[Sir Rols]

It's gonna be open season on koalas!

Wildlife, dirty backyards, mobility scooters targeted by Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games organisers

THE raft of new laws proposed for the Commonwealth Games include giving the green light for the killing of protected animals that stray into venues during competition.

Possible amendments to Environment and Heritage legislation proposed in areview prepared for Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey include ``allowing moving or destruction of protected fauna in urgent circumstances (eg a snake on the mountain bike track).''

But the briefing paper also advises new laws or amendments may not be needed, with removal licences available under the present Act.

``There are plenty of wildlife handlers in the private sector (see Yellow Pages) who have licences. Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation could engage a few and have them on call throughout the Games.''

Protected species on the Gold Coast include koalas, the giant barred frog and the squirrel glider.

The papers suggest the solution is still under discussion.

Environmental group Gecko president Lois Levy said few Australians would accept a protected animal being killed to allow a race to continue.

``I think it is pretty obvious that the solution is getting in the wildlife rangers to remove animals,'' she said.

The extraordinary plan is just one part of legislative reforms under consideration by the State Government to prepare the tourist strip for the world's eyes which will be firmly focused on the 2018 event, and Australia.

A ministerial briefing note to Ms Stuckey, who is also the Tourism Minister, obtained under Right to Information laws, revealed that if passed, the new laws would also force householders living within camera-shot of the Games' telecast to clean up their properties, increase police ``move on'' powers to clear up riff-raff, and ban unauthorised broadcasts.

Preparations for the Games, expected to attract about 6500 athletes and officials from more than 70 countries, are believed to be well within schedule.

A preliminary report on potential new laws shows the Government is using the London Olympics as a partial guide to create a legal framework for the Games.

The briefing paper also acknowledges the problem of untidy buildings ``within camera shot of iconic scenery'' might require a diplomatic solution.

A possible answer was to pass a law requiring property owners to clean up or cover their ``mess, graffiti etc'', but there is also recognition such a law could cause problems.

``Forcing private owners to clean their properties at their own expense would be controversial,'' the papers says.

``The (Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation) would need to fund the work.''

A ban on unauthorised broadcasting, a crackdown on ticket scalpers and a widening of police powers to allow officers to pick up people and release them ``some distance from the event site'' are also being examined.

But a potential invading army of mobility scooters as our ageing demographic demands a seat at the Games is one scenario with no easy answer.

The Government is considering putting limits on the number of scooters entering each venue.

News.com.au

[runningrings]

Trust News Limited to put their usual melodramatic spin on the reality!

[Sir Rols]

Trust News Limited to put their usual melodramatic spin on the reality!

You should know I am a former minion of Rupert's!

Anyway, gotta keep those Drop Bear numbers down with all those prissy foreigners coming in.

Edited July 11, 2013 by Sir Rols

[Sir Rols]

A bit early to be speculating about the OC, but:

Indigenous locals make pitch for Commonwealth Games opening

The Gold Coast's indigenous community is planning something special, with hopes it could help open the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Yugambeh Museum, Language and Heritage Centre has asked indigenous composer William Barton to write a piece that tells the story of the birthing of south-east Queensland.

The music is being arranged as part of a new upcoming festival but Yugembeh Museum director Rory O'Connor says it could become part of the Games opening ceremony.

"We realised that the event had the potential to become very, very large and with the Commonwealth Games coming up, a lot of community came to me and said, 'what are we doing for the Commonwealth Games'," he says.

"That's when the pieces just fell together."

Making music together

The museum approached William Barton to create the special piece of music.

"I said imagine the Commonwealth Games opening and you write a piece that tells the story of the birthing of south-east Queensland and on stage is our entire community including 500 didgeridoo players, our monster choir and a monster orchestra," Rory says.

"William said that sounds great."

Schools and community groups from across south-east Queensland are being invited to get involved.

"We're looking at schools from Beaudesert, right through Mount Tamborine, right up and down the coast to show us what they want to showcase... show us how they want to celebrate the Aboriginal stories of this area," Rory says.

Although opening the Commonwealth Games is the dream, the music is about more than just a once-off event

"This really isn't about the Commonwealth Games, although that would be a legacy, this is about creating an event young people and elders want to be part of," Rory says.

However he says he has pitched the idea to the State Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey.

"We just thought that unless we get together as a community and set the agenda for what we want from an indigenous perspective, it's going to be very hard for an organiser coming in with three years to run to pull that together in a meaningful way," he says.

'Excited about the opportunities'

The Centre has partnered with Somerset College to launch the new festival which celebrates local aboriginal culture; Yugembeh Mobo.

The event will showcase dance, music, bush tucker and much more.

It will be held on the grounds of Somerset College in Mudgeeraba and Rory says they are the right partner for the celebrations.

"They get events, they get the need to have indigenous perspectives in their school and they're really, really keen to help," he says.

Somerset College headmaster Craig Bassingthwaighte says the rewards will far outweigh their efforts.

"The experience for our children and for our community to make contribution and to learn from the indigenous community is something that... I didn't experience that," he says.

"I certainly am very excited about the opportunities for our children."

The inaugural Yugambeh Mobo will be held at Somerset College on June 1, 2014.

ABC

[runningrings]

Its pretty well a given that any Australian ceremony will include a substantial indigenous segment. Personally, if going by Sydney 2000 and Melbourne 2006 as an indication, they tend to be the apex of the ceremony - they're extremely unique in style and sound.

[Sir Rols]

We'd be pilloried if we didn't.

[intoronto]

Its pretty well a given that any Australian ceremony will include a substantial indigenous segment. Personally, if going by Sydney 2000 and Melbourne 2006 as an indication, they tend to be the apex of the ceremony - they're extremely unique in style and sound.

If they didn't I'm sure there would be some controversy. Its a must imo. Same thing can be said about Canadian ceremonies.

[Alexjc]

We'd be pilloried if we didn't.

But of course...

Mind you its a normal thing to include...

Out of interest someone posted the Brizzy 1982 Opening Ceremony on You Tube...OMFG has the world moved on!!

[runningrings]

Australia had probably moved beyond what was displayed by those Games- Sir Joh era Queensland really was culturally very distinct and behind the Australian mainstream at the time. The great Australian 'sensibility' survived in Queensland well into the 1980s. Brisbane was relatively untouched by the cultural shift caused by the Long Boom after the war, which was mostly felt in Sydney and Melbourne.

[Tony E Loves Architecture]

Will the Carrara Stadium keep the expansion seats after 2018 or is it Temporary for the Games?

[Lord David]

Temporary. The Gold Coast Suns and occasional cricket match will not require 40,000 seats but 25,000. Not to mention that the Rugby side Gold Coast Titans would be upset at such a larger capacity venue than their home ground (even if it is oval shaped).

I'd expect 40,000 to become "permanent" once we get another World Cup bid running and actually win it.

[Tony E Loves Architecture]

Temporary. The Gold Coast Suns and occasional cricket match will not require 40,000 seats but 25,000. Not to mention that the Rugby side Gold Coast Titans would be upset at such a larger capacity venue than their home ground (even if it is oval shaped).

I'd expect 40,000 to become "permanent" once we get another World Cup bid running and actually win it.

Ok Thank You. The Design does look temporary.

[Scotguy]

World-renowned event production company, David Atkins Enterprises (DAE), have been announced as the successful tender for the Flag Handover Ceremony, a formal ‘handing over’ of the Commonwealth Games from Glasgow to the Gold Coast. DAE Executive Producer David Atkins and his team including former Gold Coast local Drew Anthony will develop and implement the final creative piece that will be broadcast around the Commonwealth to an audience of more than one billion in August 2014.

[Tony E Loves Architecture]

World-renowned event production company, David Atkins Enterprises (DAE), have been announced as the successful tender for the Flag Handover Ceremony, a formal ‘handing over’ of the Commonwealth Games from Glasgow to the Gold Coast. DAE Executive Producer David Atkins and his team including former Gold Coast local Drew Anthony will develop and implement the final creative piece that will be broadcast around the Commonwealth to an audience of more than one billion in August 2014.

Mayor of Glasgow hands Commonwealth Flag to Commonwealth Games Federation President then Hands over to the Mayor of Gold Coast City.

[Ikarus360]

They also did the handover of Manchester 2002 to Melbourne 2006. I wonder if they will work on the Gold Coast ceremonies (I would like to see David Atkins doing a CWG show since Jack Morton already had their chance in 2006)

[intoronto]

Good thing sanity won over when GC was selected as hosts:

Sri Lanka warned they could lose 2017 Asian Youth Games in Hambantota

January 26 - Sri Lanka's right to host the 2017 Asian Youth Games is in danger because they are so far behind in organising it, they have been warned.

Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah has written to the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and the country's Government making it clear that action will be taken unless they speed up preparations for the Games in Hambantota.

"As you are aware the City of Hambantota in Sri Lanka was entrusted with the responsibility of hosting the 2017 Asian Youth Games by the OCA General Assembly in 2012 and a Host City Contract to this effect was signed between the OCA, the City of Hambantota and the NOC of Sri Lanka," Sheikh Ahmad wrote in a letter sent last week and published today in The Sunday Times Sri Lanka.

"However even after one and half years of the allotment of the Games we see no progress in the conduct of the Games."

In the letter addressed to Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Hemasiri Fernando, President of the NOC, Sheikh Ahmad complais no-one is taking responsibility for the organisation of the Games.

"The key personnel who will be in charge of the Games in the important functional areas like, Sports, Games Services, Medical, TV and Broadcasting, IT, Venues, Athletes Village have not been appointed; the Master Plan for the conduct of the Games has not yet finalised; the Games budget has not yet been finalised; Law for the Tax Exemption for the Games has not been issued;" Sheikh Ahmad wrote.

"The venue for the Games has not yet been identified and no construction work has started and no plan for test events has been laid down."

Hambantota had decided to bid for the event after losing its campaign to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games and were chosen by the OCA in 2012 ahead of Indonesia,Qatar, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

But now they have been warned that unless they can satisfy the concerns of the OCA then they will be stripped of the event, expected to attract more than 5,000 athletes from 45 countries competing in 12 sports.

Sheikh Ahmad has also expressed his worry that the Sri Lankan Government are breaching the Olympic Charter by interfering in the internal affairs of the NOC.

"These important issues of autonomy of the NOC as well as the conduct of the 2017 AYG (Asian Youth Games) will be put up to the next meeting of the OCA Executive Board for a final decision and even the withdrawal of the Games from Hambantota," he writes.

Source

[StefanMUC]

Good thing sanity won over when GC was selected as hosts:

Source

Hmm...dorsn't it also fall back on the OCA for giving this to a bid which hasn't even defined venues, as the article/letter seems to suggest?

[world atlas]

24 February 2014

[4gamesandcounting]

Just got my beautiful Gold Coast hoody delivered! Must be the only person in the uk wearing it!

[runningrings]

They also did the handover of Manchester 2002 to Melbourne 2006.

Which was terrible, if memory serves me right.