Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie vowed to deliver the best possible Commonwealth Games ©ITG

Gold Coast 2018 chairman Peter Beattie promised to deliver the best possible Commonwealth Games as a Coordination Commission visit got underway here today.

Beattie claimed that preparations for the Games were on track as he joined Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Louise Martin and Commonwealth Games Australia chief executive Craig Phillips to unveil their volunteering plans.

"Every six months the Commonwealth Games Federation do an assessment of how things are progressing in preparation for the Games," Beattie said.

"Clearly we need to make certain that the Games are on track and everything is being done to ensure that Craig’s athletes can perform in the best way they can.

"I am looking forward to their visit this week and we have already started our presentations.

"We are determined these Commonwealth Games will be the best we can possibly deliver." 

Discussions over the budget of the Games were part of today’s discussions on the first day of the Coordination Commission.

Last week Beattie, the former Queensland Premier, claimed adjustments were being made to ensure Gold Coast 2018 stayed within their AUD$2 billion (£1.1 billion/$1.5 billion, €1.4 billion) budget.

The adjustments are due to the increased costs of labour and goods within the city, resulting in contracts becoming more expensive.

"What we have to do is cut in some areas because some things which were budgeted for eight years ago are more expensive now than they were then," Beattie told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

"We are ensuring we are getting value for money for every dollar we spend and we are testing each one of our contracts to ensure we get the best value for money.

"It means that in areas where expenditure is higher than anticipated eight years ago during the bidding phase we are now able to make adjustments in other areas of the organisation’s budget.

"We are doing things smarter."

Today’s discussions are also due to focus on community engagement and marketing.

Martin encouraged Gold Coast 2018 to ensure they make every day count as preparations continue for the Games, due to take place from April 4 to 15 in 2018.

"Everybody thinks there is 16 months to go, but that is only around 480 days," Martin said.

"Your Games begin not at the Opening Ceremony, but they begin on the first day the Athletes Village is open."