Games will inject $1.7b into Coast

THE Commonwealth Games fortnight will deliver a $1.7 billion boost to the Gold Coast economy, on top of infrastructure investment so far.

Games Minister Kate Jones revealed the whopping figure yesterday, saying the $1.7b was the economic impact the city could expect from the event in April next year.

It is contained in a new Ahead of the Games report being published by State Government this week, containing an official evaluation of Games preparation.

Ms Jones said the $1.7b economic injection was on top of $2.6b in government and private sector investment for the Games throughout Queensland.

“The 2018 Commonwealth Games will benefit Queensland for generations to come but for the first time we can now quantify the economic impact to the Gold Coast,” she said.

“This $1.7b figure is aside from the impressive investment we expect will follow on from the exposure the Gold Coast gets by hosting the Games.”

The Ahead of the Games report also reveals the Games is delivering 16,000 jobs and supporting more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“With 104 days to go, Queensland is on time, on budget and on track to deliver one of the world’s biggest sporting events.”