Games to deliver gold for Gold Coast 

GOLD Coast Games projects include an upgraded hockey centre next to the existing Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, and a proposed indoor arena. 

The area will also see an athletes’ village at the Royal Pines Resorts development with a mix of housing types and a high-performance training facility. 

Transport connections with Brisbane will be improved including upgrades to the Coomera Connector, an alternate road connection. 

“The Gold Coast is set to benefit significantly with the Games showcasing its stunning beaches, world class venues and natural beauty,” says Murray Pegg, of Aurora Property. 

“We expect a strong boost in accommodation demand and long-term rental and buyer interest.” 

While the final list of sports will not be decided until 2026, Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Cr Mark Hammel, who chairs the Council’s Planning and Environment Council, says they plan to host volleyball, beach volleyball, weightlifting, judo, wrestling, triathlon and hockey. 

Plans also include a new indoor arena at Cary Park in Southport. 

“Instead of having an indoor arena in Brisbane, given the costs that were projected, they have decided to bring it to the Gold Coast which will have a long-term legacy for our city and region,” Cr Hammel said. 

He said the council had learned extensive lessons from previous events such as the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

“We are looking at the opportunity to bring more international events to Gold Coast before and after, including having some of the supporting infrastructure facilities being used for national training camps.” 

This could include Australian and international teams training ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games, given the similar climates. 

“We have a strong desire to see the Gold Coast as the high-performance sporting capital of Australia,” Cr Hammel said. 

He said the council was looking forward to light rail to the Gold Coast airport, the completion of the Coomera connector, a rapid bus system for the coast and east-west bus links.  

“The new indoor arena at Southport will be a catalyst project to help drive investment into the CBD,” he added. 

“The hockey centre at Labrador is also going to be a massive thing for that area.” 

He said a key legacy from the Commonwealth Games was the Coomera indoor sports centre. 

“It has become a critical community asset,” he said. 

Real Estate Institute of Queensland chief executive Antonia Mercorella said the athletes’ village built for the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Southport had shown how such villages could be successfully used for post-event housing. 

“Other examples include Vancouver 2010, as well as the Olympic village from the London 2012 Olympics which were transformed into long term housing,” she said.