PAYBACK TIME
City leaders urge Government to atone for Games fiasco
IT’s time to repay the Gold Coast businesses still reeling from their Commonwealth Games nightmare.
That’s the message from city leaders after it was revealed the State Government would receive a $35 million windfall from Games organisers after they returned a budget surplus.
Former GC tourism boss Martin Winter said a portion of the money should be set aside to promote the city.
Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek said it was time to pay more than lip service to the tourism capital.
“We’re not even asking for all of it. Just a portion,’’ he said.
But Games Minister Kate Jones last night said: “That $35 million has already been spent on us meeting our 50-50 commitment on the M1.”
GOLD Coast leaders are urging the State Government to “show us the money” after Commonwealth Games organisers revealed $35 million in savings.
The windfall, which the Games organising committee (GOLDOC) will send back to the State Government, is being seen by some as a way to try and make up for the downturn city small businesses suffered during April’s Games.
Senior Opposition MP John-Paul Langbroek, the Games Shadow Minister, said the State Government should use at least half to two-thirds for the city’s benefit.
The LNP’s Member for Surfers Paradise, who in yesterday’s Gold Coast Bulletin accused Brisbane-based politicians of ignoring the Gold Coast on key issues like the lack of a permanent Supreme Court here, said it was time to pay more than lip service to the tourism capital.
“We appreciate the Games infrastructure we have. (But) it’s really a case of show us the money to show you are actually fair,” Mr Langbroek said of the $35 million pot.
Mr Langbroek said any significant infrastructure spend would require $10-20 million and while not wanting to commit to specific ideas for the windfall, he suggested the convention centre upgrade could be an option.
“Let’s fast-track that,” he said.
Other ideas he aired were boosting funds for tourism campaigns or pitching for events and conferences.
“We’re not even asking for all of it. Just a portion. Or a one-off allocation. Why not create some goodwill?” Mr Langbroek said.
“At least it would show the Labor Government does have an actual commitment to showing the Gold Coast is important and it’s not just words.”
Mr Langbroek’s serve came after he tweeted yesterday morning: “Qld Labor doesn’t get GC, police criminal gangs returning, no Supreme Court, go-slow on fixing M1, no post Commonwealth Games promotion four months on after frightening punters away.”
When revealing the savings this week, GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie said once the last contracts and bills were finalised the kitty could swell to as much as $38 million.
It was on top of a $100 million contingency fund the State Government had set aside for any unforeseen matter GOLDOC never touched, Mr Beattie told media.
Exiting Destination Gold Coast CEO Martin Winter said it was up to Government how to spend the savings.
“From a purely selfish perspective I would like to think the Government would spend some to make sure the facilities we have here continued to be used on an around-theclock basis.”
Treasurer Jackie Trad said: “We will ensure any revenue returned is expended appropriately in the interests of Queenslanders.”
The State’s final position on Games costs would be finalised early 2019, she said, adding her Government was proud of $1.5 billion invested in Games-related community and sport infrastructure.
The Games were a catalyst for $420 million funding for light rail stage two to Helensvale, Coomera to Helensvale rail duplication and $330 million for road upgrades.
Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said if Mr Langbroek really cared about the Coast he should stand up to the Federal Coalition’s new assistant treasurer, Stuart Robert, to get a better deal than a 50-50 split between State and Federal for the M1.
“That $35 million has already been spent on us meeting our 50-50 commitment on the M1 when south of the border (in Sydney) it is 80-20,” Ms Jones said.
WE’RE NOT EVEN ASKING FOR ALL OF IT. JUST A PORTION. OR A ONE-OFF ALLOCATION. WHY NOT CREATE SOME GOODWILL? JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK