Bligh is due to arrive here tomorrow on the eve of the official ceremony where both cities are due to present their bid books to the Commonwealth Games Federation.

The Gold Coast are considered the slight favourites in the contest against the Sri Lankan city, which is rebuilding after being devastated in the 2004 tsunami, but Bligh insisted that they would not be complacent.

"I don't think for one minute we should ever underestimate our opponents in this bid," she said.

"Sri Lanka will put in a very, very competitive bid and I think they will have the support of a lot of delegates who are voting delegates as [Sri Lanka] emerge from civil war and try to rebuild their country."

Bligh will be accompanied to the ceremony by Ron Clarke, the four-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist who is now the May of the Gold Coast. 

He plans to use the event to help regenerate the city if they are successful.

"These big international events are catalysts for further development in cities - they change cities," said Bligh.

"We saw what happened with the Commonwealth Games for Brisbane [in 1982].

"I think the Gold Coast offers one of the best destinations in the world and I hope the federation sees it the same way.

"We've got to work very hard once we've presented the book, the bid book, over the next six to seven months."

Bligh's presence here is designed to send a powerful message to the CGF about the political support the Gold Coast bid enjoys.

"It's very important we go there to show all Governments in Australia and the Australian people are supporting our bid," said Mark Stockwell, the chairman of the bid.

"I have confidence we can put forward a strong plan for hosting the Commonwealth Games.

"We have a lot of venues already in place on the Coast which show we are on track.

"We would use Carrara Stadium for the opening ceremony and we would also make use of Skilled Park and the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

"The Rapid Transit Project and the Gold Coast lifestyle are also strong benefits for our bid."

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