It is a direct response to the latest media reports in Australia that claimed the Gold Coast will be unable to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games unless the majority of sporting events are moved to the nearby Brisbane.

"In recent days there has been speculation in the media with no factual foundation about the location of venues," said the statement.

"The Organising Committee and the State Government have been getting on with the job of planning and organising the Games and everything is going to plan.

"In fact, we are well ahead in many areas compared to other hosts at the same time.

"Let us be very clear.

"Management is not investigating any change of cities for one or more venues; the Sport and Technical Sub-Committee of the Board is not considering any such changes and the Board has had nothing on its agenda for consideration and nothing is scheduled.

"Likewise, there have been no discussions about relocating venues to different cities with either the Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) or the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

"The commitments made during the bidding period and contained in the Candidate City File (CCF) stand.

"The file is a legally binding contract signed by the CGF, the Queensland Government, the ACGA and the Gold Coast City Council.

"No changes to the plan can be made without consideration by the ACGA and the CGF."


The Commonwealth Games Minister and Gold Coast 2018 chairman have also made it clear that they have very clear from the start of the bid process about what events will be staged in Brisbane.

"In relation to sports being conducted in Brisbane, it has always been the case that two events will be conducted in the Brisbane Local Government area," said the statement.

"This was outlined in the CCF which was released publically on 11 May 2011.

"In relation to shooting, the former Gold Coast City Council endorsed the use of Belmont Shooting Centre [in Brisbane] given its capacity to host multiple shooting disciplines.

"This represented significant financial savings rather than develop shooting facilities on the Gold Coast.

"In relation to cycling and a velodrome, the Government examined the history of the financial viability of such facilities around Australia.

"It was found that a velodrome on the Gold Coast would have had significant on-going operational costs for the Gold Coast City Council.

"It was therefore agreed by all parties that a velodrome at Chandler in Brisbane as part of a State cycling centre as advocated by Australian and Queensland Cycling would be the most cost effective option.

"In relation to basketball and gymnastics, the former Council was asked whether the Gold Coast needed another sport and entertainment centre [8,000 to 10,000 seat capacity] which could be used to host Commonwealth Games gymnastics and the basketball.

"The Council undertook a study and informed the bid company that no such facility was needed and signed off on the final facility plan that saw gymnastics in a relocatable facility on the Gold Coast and basketball preliminary rounds being conducted in Townsville and Cairns."


Stuckey and Chamier have also claimed that the Gold Coast will receive a huge boost from the staging of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"The 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast will be three times the size of the 1982 Games in Brisbane," they said.

"Just as Brisbane received a significant boost from hosting the Games 30 years ago – the Gold Coast will benefit in a similar way.

"The Government and Organising Committee are focussed on delivering a great Games, in a great city leaving great memories and great benefits for all."

The CGF have also confirmed to insidethegames that there are no plans to move any scheduled Commonwealth Games events from the Gold Coast.

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