The Legacy of Commonwealth Games Infrastructure - minimising the effects of 'white elephant' infrastructure post Gold Coast 2018.
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The Legacy of Commonwealth Games Infrastructure – minimising
the effects of ‘white elephant’ infrastructure post Gold Coast 2018.
April 2018 will see the Gold Coast including major transport network upgrades
such as Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 (GCLR2),
host the 21st Commonwealth Games
have also been completed.
(GC2018). Showcasing 23 sports with
representatives from 70 nations at
The challenge for the Gold Coast
17 venues throughout Queensland, Commonwealth Games
the Games present a range of unique
The perceived success of GC2018 is already
opportunities and challenges far
under the microscope with media outlets citing
beyond the 11 days of competition. transport management as a major concern.
The success for any global sporting event relies The perception of potential public and private
on the host city’s ability to plan and execute a transport issues is often discussed through the
range of infrastructure delivery outcomes with lens of the expected excessive congestion on
opportunities and pitfalls at every turn. the M1. This along with the postponed delivery
of the Gold Coast Airport redevelopment
In this discussion paper, Emerging Professionals project, has fuelled concerns among many of
in Infrastructure Queensland (EPIQ) examine the Game’s critics. However, this has been in
GC2018, as well as previous international contrast with the successful delivery of GCLR2
major events held around the globe to gain a and the Coomera to Helensvale rail duplication,
greater understanding of the common pitfalls which have been positively received by the
and potential avenues to leverage increased community and commentators alike.
benefits of the Games for Queensland.
While transport remains a concern for the
event, delivery of other infrastructure projects
Competing to host major events, seem to pass the public test, including the
why does it matter? new Games Village with residential, retail,
recreation, dining and medical facilities.
A primary incentive for bidding to host major
sporting events, such as the Commonwealth
Games, is the legacy value it provides the What we can learn from other major
host city. This value can include a range of global events
long-term benefits including ongoing tourism
expenditure, infrastructure investment, new Many developed and developing nations have
events and community sports participation. hosted major sporting events in our recent
history, so a lot can be learnt from looking
With the potential to inject $4 billion into back. Through detailed desktop research, an
the Queensland economy, attract 1.5 million analysis of the infrastructure legacy outcomes
spectators and a global television audience of those who have gone before us appears as
of 1.5 billion, the Queensland Government has fickle as a game of snakes and ladders. Global
delivered three new competition venues and reviews such as this, highlighting the range of
undertaken major upgrades to seven facilities challenges experienced in the past, have forced
in preparation for the Games. In addition to GC2018 organisers to sit up and take notice.
these new facilities, enabling infrastructure
–1–
The below table outlines some of the key findings of this research.
Planning
Post-event and strategic Access and
utilisation Community alignment connectivity Cost vs. budget Event success
FIFA World Cup – South Africa 2010
Nine of the 10 Positive media and The event was Transport was Spending received Strong television
stadiums used thoughts regarding spread across nine planned to criticism given viewer numbers and
are significantly rebranding South host cities to spread accommodate existing poverty ticket sales ensured
underperforming. Africa from their the economic long-term public and social issues in overarching event
Ajax Cape Town previous perception benefit arising from transport outcomes South Africa. The success. Over 90%
stadium capacity is as a country the World Cup. and resulted in R40 billion spent of South African
55,000 but as little plagued by violent successful post- from 2006 to 2011, residents believe
as 400 attend local crime and bringing event utilisation, represented 6% of the event united the
events. Cape Town together a divisive transforming all public sector country’s people
Stadium is also population. transport for many capital investment and strengthened
losing an estimated regions. at the time. tourism.
US$6 - $10m
annually.
London Olympics 2012
International East London, While a number of Transport for Broken even Record breaking
Broadcast Centre previously referred legacy programs London invested against all broadcast and
constructed for the to as an “industrial were implemented, GBP 6.5 billion expectations and digital coverage.
Games, now houses wasteland”, is now a athlete in transport budget overruns. 90% of the UK
BT Sport’s (TV home to over 4,500 accommodation infrastructure in population watched
channel). Achieved people after it was was developed with preparation for the the Games and
significant revitalised and little integration Games. Initiatives according to NBC,
repurposing of a regenerated after into surrounding pushed towards London 2012 was
number of Games the Games. communities pedestrian and the most watched
assets for a variety creating socio- cycling routes, television event in
of local sporting economic divides. electric vehicles and American history, at
events. high speed trains. the time.
Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014
Some local Communities in Planned projects No major transport Delivered on time “Best Games ever”
communities the east end of the were delivered early upgrades were and on budget. and exceeded
believe that the city are still reeling and with alignment undertaken due expectations.
Games destroyed from losing the to the city strategy. to existing good
the social realm of Community Centre Infrastructure was connectivity.
certain areas. to make way for a delivered on time Complementary
Transport Hub. and on budget. regeneration
activities were
accelerated.
Sochi Winter Olympics 2014
Ongoing venue Lower level of Six stadiums New bypass roads Final cost was Largest ever
maintenance costs public support for and main media and new power 22% over budget television rights
ballooned up to 21% the Games during centre remain stations. New ($42b+). Cost deals, however,
over initial yearly the preparation unused. Olympic standards of urban overruns ranged very negative
budgets. period due to Park attracts few planning resulted from 158% in international
impacts of the tourists due to its in accessibility operational costs opinion due to
Retrofitting existing construction - location outside for mobility- to more than cost overruns and
assets to meet FIFA traffic, dust, cuts to the city centre. A impaired travellers 1000% for the treatment of LGBT
requirements for utilities, noise and large environmental and separate main stadium and issues.
subsequent use for displacement. impact has also road spaces Olympic Village.
the 2018 World Cup been documented. were developed
also proved a costly for cycling and
exercise. pedestrians.
–2–
Planning
Post-event and strategic Access and
utilisation Community alignment connectivity Cost vs. budget Event success
Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games 2016
After the Games, Promises to The city was New transport Spent significantly The economic
many venues were improve favelas unable to follow networks are at a time when injection received
underutilised or through delivery of through on multiple underutilised, the city was from the Games
not maintained, better utilities have legacy planning partially due to lack unable to deliver was short lived and
such as the main not been delivered. commitments to of integration with public security, the event received
stadium which Promises to convert re-purpose existing services health, education, largely negative
was temporarily venues into schools a number of and demands. transport and coverage due to
abandoned leading have also not been Games specific Some, such as the environmental corruption and
to looting and delivered. infrastructure into proposed light services. Brazilians economic distress.
damage. ongoing benefits rail, have not been protested wasteful
to the community. delivered. spending.
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 (indicative analysis)
Privatising the Community Implementation of Successful delivery Current spending Expectations are
Games Village engagement via the Embrace 2018 of public transport appears to have high.
and leasing the social media to aid Legacy Program enablers GCLR remained on
facility during the traffic management over the last four 2 and Coomera budget. Full effects
Games has safe plans. Inclusion years. A focus on to Helensvale of the economic
guarded GOLDOC of venues across environmental rail duplication. return will not be
from ongoing the state increases and economic Proposed Gold known for some
operational costs. involvement sustainability and Coast Airport time.
Refurbished a and benefits. a commitment upgrades have
number of venues Media negativity to recognise and been delayed.
as opposed to has focused respect indigenous Bus network
building multiple on potential cultures. and community
new assets. congestion campaigns to
issues and the 11 reduce unnecessary
day impact on travel during the
community “way Games have been
of life”. implemented with
mixed levels of
acceptance.
A strong collaborative approach to planning has positioned the Games for gold
In 2013, early in the planning phase for GC2018, the then Newman Government released Embracing
2018, a blueprint for government to deliver on its promise of ‘a transformative legacy, creating
active and inclusive communities, diverse and enduring economic growth and greater reconciliation
and social justice’.
The latest iteration of the Embracing 2018 Legacy Program seeks to prolong the benefits of
GC2018 through maximising long-term community, sport and health benefits, and strengthening
Queensland’s standing as Australia’s top tourism destination.
In preparation for GC2018, GOLDOC and the Queensland Government have focused not only on
planning a successful event, but transitioning seamlessly into the period after the Games.
The Embracing 2018 Legacy Program aims to create long-lasting benefits through eight key
programs and a range of supporting initiatives. Programs include: Trade and Investment; Tourism;
Supporting Queensland Business; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives; Sport and Healthy
Lifestyles; Engaged and Inclusive Communities; Arts and Culture, and Inspiring Games.
–3–existing, new, upgraded and temporary sites
being used. Three new venues have been
developed including the $59m Anna Meares
Velodrome, the $40m Coomera Indoor Sport
Centre, and the $105m Gold Coast Sports and
Leisure Centre. Seven existing venues have
been upgraded or refurbished and the ‘Super
Stage’ at Village Roadshow Studios Oxenford
will be temporarily fitted out as a competition
venue. A number of other sites have not
required any major or costly upgrades to
meet competition standards.
Similar to the Athlete’s Village, and under
the banner of repurposing infrastructure, the
majority of the competition venues have been
flagged for transition into use by the local
community and for future events following
the Games.
ONGOING BENEFITS
Various other sustainable infrastructure
projects are being delivered to support the
Games and provide opportunities for long-term
value. The City of Gold Coast’s GC2018 benefits
book outlines 38 programs that will provide a
catalogue of benefits to the Gold Coast. These
projects have been categorised thematically,
and endeavour to deliver on initiatives
across transport; culture; skills development;
education; digital development; environment;
health and lifestyle; community benefit; spatial
information sharing; safety and security;
beach nourishment and business, trade and
investment. These programs aim to provide
Australia, Queensland and the Gold Coast
with an economic and social uplift.
Can Gold Coast make a podium finish?
Transport infrastructure has been identified
as a major risk, with unprecedented capacity
demands expected during the Games.
Importantly, the infrastructure delivered for
GC2018 aligns with the State Infrastructure
Plan. Since 2016, the Queensland Government
Infrastructure investment has boosted has delivered $320 million of planned
activity in the region infrastructure for the Commonwealth Games,
some of which were accelerated into delivery
ATHLETE’S VILLAGE in time for the Games.
After the Games, the $550m Parklands Project
– which will be only leased to GOLDOC - will Despite this level of planning and accelerated
be repurposed into a mixed–use residential project start dates, in December 2016 the
community within the broader Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Federation wrote
Health and Knowledge Precinct. a letter to GOLDOC Chair Peter Beattie
highlighting apparent inefficiencies in the host
A sustainable approach has also been taken city’s transport plan. The letter specifically
to prepare competition venues with a mix of noted concerns around the need for expanded
–4–While it is expected that the transport network
around the Gold Coast may come under
pressure across the all-important 11 days of
competition, and despite possible delays at
the Airport, the successful delivery of essential
transport infrastructure will undoubtedly
help meet expected transport demand. This
infrastructure will have a lasting impact on
how travellers move throughout the region,
well beyond the duration of the Games.
What we think will be critical beyond 2018
EPIQ believes it is apparent that GOLDOC and
the Queensland Government have taken the
Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 Project time to strategically plan for these Games and
learn from those who have gone before them.
train services and shuttle busses, in addition The risk now lies in the execution. With 15,000
to recommending further consideration volunteers, hundreds of paid staff and four
be given to traffic concerns on the M1. The years of strategic legacy planning, all signs are
Federation warned if the 14 steps outlined pointing to a very successful outcome for the
in their letter were not undertaken greater Gold Coast and Queensland.
effects may be felt throughout the Games
The holistic planning put in place has positioned
and beyond. Follow up correspondence from
the region to transition the short-term benefits
The Federation specifically noted that while
from GC2018 into long-term benefits for the
GOLDDOC and the Queensland Government
Gold Coast’s residents, businesses, workers
had taken steps toward planning and modelling
and tourists well into the future.
the proposed requirements, final decisions
needed to be made to ensure the necessary
measures were in place in time for the Games. EPIQ’s event to watch at the Games
Fast forward to June 2017, GOLDOC’s Viewers around the world will be spoilt for
Transport Operations Plan (TOP) is released choice when it comes to watching some of
and identifies several key transport the world’s best athletes compete along
legacy outcomes including partnerships, Queensland’s golden beaches, but there
enhanced transport coordination, transport is another major event to watch. EPIQ are
infrastructure upgrades, permanent change excited to see how the transport and broader
in travel behaviour and enhanced transport infrastructure legacy story unfolds. We remain
planning information. optimistic that the strategic planning and
investment undertaken to-date has provided
The positive signs that have come from the an appropriate platform for the Games,
TOP – including a supplementation of the and beyond.
train network with bussing – and social media
campaigns that aim to actively engage with We have no doubt that viewers across the
the Gold Coast and travelling community, globe will be left wanting more of the Gold
give hope that with a little planning and Coast and Queensland following what is sure
considerable political action, great long-term to be a spectacular Games.
benefits can be achieved.
Some plans however don’t always make it to
fruition. The $200 million capacity upgrade
of the Gold Coast Airport was to be partially
delivered in time for the Games to alleviate
delays and queuing of more than 126,000
visitors, athletes, officials and media. These
works will now not be completed until
mid-2018 and well after the last Athlete has
left the Village.
Parklands Village in construction
–5–You can also read
