I’m proud we backed the Gold Coast

AS a Minister at the cabinet table when we decided we would bid for the 21st Commonwealth Games 10 years ago, there were plenty of critics who said it should not be on the Gold Coast.

They said the city wasn’t ready and did not have the public transport system to deliver the Games.

Here we are with 58 days to go and more than $1 billion in new rail, light rail, bus, station and road upgrades complete.

It is a huge investment in the Gold Coast that has transformed the city.

And that is exactly why we bid for the Games on the Gold Coast.

The legacy that transport infrastructure will leave will endure well after the last athlete waves goodbye at the closing ceremony.

There will be an extra six million trips on the Gold Coast transport network during the Games. Some Gold Coasters will be using public transport locally for the first time.

I’m proud that we made the decision to see this investment as an opportunity to support the Gold Coast and grow Australia’s sixth largest city.

Picture: GLENN HAMPSON Games transport plan but maintain using public transport wherever possible will minimise traffic congestion.