Construction at the $122 million Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Carrara Sports Precinct is officially underway.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones, joined Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to mark the commencement of the first stage of the project – the new $101 million Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.
The Premier said the centre is the first of four projects in the Carrara Sports Precinct that will be delivered over the next two years.
“This is a key Games venue that is generating 400 jobs during design and construction,” the Premier said.
“The Centre is a major piece of infrastructure for the Gold Coast and will accommodate a wide range of court sports including basketball, netball, indoor soccer and badminton.
“These projects aren’t just about the Commonwealth Games. They’re creating jobs and they’re helping strengthen the regional economy.
“I’m immensely proud that it was a Labor Government that helped win the right to host the Games in 2018. My Government is determined to work collaboratively with the Gold Coast City Council and the Federal Government to deliver the best Games possible.”
Minister Kate Jones said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to delivering the $320 million Commonwealth Games infrastructure program on budget and well ahead of the Games.
“The Commonwealth Games infrastructure program is an important investment in the region that will not only generate 1000 jobs during design and construction, but also ensure the local community; local business and local industry reap long term benefits from the event.”
The Carrara Sports Precinct will be the centrepiece for the Commonwealth Games and is the most significant venue infrastructure project.
While Carrara has undergone a series of redevelopments over the years, this project will transform the area around the stadium into a truly world class sports precinct.
As a major hub for both elite and community-based sports, the Carrara Sports Precinct will be the premier location for high-performance training and competition, major events, and local sports development.
The legacy this project will deliver will be one that Gold Coasters enjoy for generations to come.
$320 million will be invested in venues infrastructure ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, including $154 million in Commonwealth Government funding.
More information is available at www.qld.gov.au/commonwealthgames.
