DON’T MISS THE PARTY
GOLDOC’s plea to Coasters planning to flee Games
GOLD Coasters have been told they will miss the city’s biggest ever party if they leave town for the Commonwealth Games because of fears of traffic chaos.
Responding to growing unrest about the negatives of being a host city, political correctness, transport and politics, chairman Peter Beattie and chief executive Mark Peters implored residents to soak up April’s Games “because there are real solutions out there and they are going to miss a great party”.
THE two men charged with delivering the biggest event in Gold Coast history have implored residents to reconsider leaving the city during the Commonwealth Games because of traffic fears, saying they are going to “miss a great party”.
In addressing 10 of the Commonwealth Games’ hottest talking points today, GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie and chief executive Mark Peters respond to growing unrest about the negatives of being a host city, hit out at claims “a cloak of political correctness” has enveloped the event, talk sponsorship and politics, and reveal what keeps them awake at night.
Have you underestimated the scale of disruption the Commonwealth Games will cause for everyday Gold Coasters more focused on daily living than gold medals?
Details of what to expect were very clearly articulated in the Bid Book back in 2011 and we have been talking about the magnitude of this event for many years.
The City commenced the Get Set for the Games program in June 2017 to consult local residents and work with them to minimise any inconveniences.
Sadly there is no gain without pain but we have worked hard to engage and consult with the local community.
We do not want people to leave the Gold Coast when the Games are on … it will be a time when civic pride will swell as we all make history and showcase the Gold Coast on the world stage.
Do you accept that businesses will suffer losses or be negatively impacted because of the Games? What is your message to such business owners?
We know some businesses will be impacted, while at the same time many will do extremely well out of the Games.
The Get Set for the Games team has spent most of the past year identifying those business owners who might feel some disadvantage and are working with them right now.
We’d encourage any business with the slightest concerns about their operations to visit getsetforthegames.com and make an appointment with a Get Set consultant.
What is your response to growing concerns from Gold Coast residents and businesses that the Commonwealth Games will have a negative impact on their lives?
It is understandable to be anxious about something we have not experienced in this city before and, let’s face it, this is the biggest event in Queensland’s history. These Games are going to be a game changer for this city.
GOLDOC and our Games delivery partners will continue to engage with residents of the city but we encourage the community to embrace this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. There is something for everyone — art, culture and sport at its very finest.
Many residents are saying the best way to survive the Games period is to not leave home. How do you balance the smart travel message with wanting Gold Coasters to embrace the Games?
We went out on the weekend with some very strong transport messages, equipping everyone for their Games time travel. We are hellbent on reassuring people that proper planning will ensure they get around the city at Games time … the key again is to plan your trip.
If anyone is thinking of leaving the Coast because of traffic fears, they should maybe reconsider because there are real solutions out there and they are going to miss a great party and a ‘moment in time’ in this city’s history.
The Bulletin reported in early January that GOLDOC was yet to reach its $90-95 million sponsorship target. Has this changed? If not, what does it mean for the overall budget? Have you conceded a big bank will not be coming onboard as a Tier 1 sponsor? What are your thoughts on that snub?
We would have loved a bank to come on board as a sponsor but, at the end of the day, banks can decide where to put their sponsorship dollars. It’s their prerogative.
Perhaps they’ll (still) change their mind. It’s not a snub. We’re sure it’s a strategic decision — let’s give them a bit more time.
As far as sponsorship, we are right where we thought we’d be at this point and are very happy with the number and calibre of sponsors we have attracted … a number of new sponsor announcements (are also) on the horizon.
The budget is fine — we’re on time and on budget. I know we repeat that but we’re proud of this position and it’s true.
Are all venues on schedule to be ready on time? The Games overlay is proceeding according to all of our plans and we are delighted to be in this position, one many Games do not find themselves in this far out from the opening ceremony (on April 4).
We have been blessed with very good weather over the past few months which has helped us stay on track … the fact of the matter is we have immovable deadlines that won’t allow our overlay programs to slip.
In recent weeks Games preparations have been overshadowed by issues such as ‘PC Games’, ‘tradies on bikes’ and contracts being awarded to interstate firms. How do you intend to change the narrative? How do you respond to rising sentiment that a cloak of ‘political correctness’ is enveloping what many thought would be a quintessential ‘Gold Coast Games’?
It’s fair to say we were all surprised by the way the political correctness issue took hold from the fairly innocent origins of guidelines — for that’s exactly what they were — in a volunteer’s handbook and how serious discussion on traffic management could get buried in the distraction of a cartoon tradesman who was on the screen for little more than two seconds.
Calling it a ‘cloak of political correctness’ is a bit over the top … we admit we don’t always get it right but it probably goes to show that it’s the small things that people focus on when everything else is going along so well.
As for contracts being awarded to interstate companies, there is no way we can source every need for Australia’s biggest event in a decade in our own city and state, but we’ve made a good fist of it with 84 per cent awarded to Queensland companies, which represents around $400 million.
People probably don’t know that so give us some credit there.
The Opposition has attacked the Government over its planning for the Games. Do you accept that is part and parcel of accountability and public scrutiny?
Absolutely. It’s their job and if it’s fair we take it and act on it and if it’s straight-out politicising something just for the sake of it – well, we just don’t have time for that.
What is your greatest fear for the Games? What keeps you awake at night?
We’d be lying if we didn’t say there are a lot of things that keep us awake at night but they all come with being in charge of the organisation of a major world event.
One thing that shouldn’t keep us awake because it is out of our hands is what a waste the past seven years of effort would be if the city and local community miss any big legacy opportunities.
If, for instance, Festival 2018 came and went and the artistic momentum it will bring to the city stopped, that would be a terrible shame. It’s the same as if kids weren’t inspired by the Games to take up sport or the public infrastructure and commercial property investments we are seeing all around us didn’t kick on.
How will you define a successful Games? What will be the legacy of the Games one year, three years and 10 years after the athletes have gone home?
We’ll measure the success of the Games from everything we’ve covered here and by successfully showcasing the Gold Coast to 1.5 billion people around the world through an event enjoyed by spectators and locals alike.
In one year we’d hope to see a boost to tourism numbers and the Gold Coast becoming a sporting hub where the Games facilities are well used and we’re attracting more sporting and business events.
In three years we’d like to see the Gold Coast with a broader economy built on the Games foundation and in 10 years a global-thinking Gold Coast positioned as one of the most dynamic and contemporary places in Australia where lifestyle and business go handin-hand.
That’s not too much to wish for, is it?