The upgrades would include an expansion of the heavy rail to Gold Coast Airport and prioritised funding for a light rail link from Helensvale Railway Station connecting with the existing rapid transit.

It follows warnings in the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Evaluation Commission report published earlier this month that there would be "traffic challenges" if the Gold Coast hosts the Games.

Peta-Kaye Croft, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Gold Coast's bid, claimed securing the Games ahead of its only rival, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, would give the State Government leverage to gain the federal funding to make the projects a reality.

''These systems would transform the way people travel, not just during the Games but for years afterwards,'' she said.

''Linking the light and heavy rail is an absolute must to improve the connectivity of the city.'

The news is a boost for Gold Coast's campaign and has coincided with 19 delegates from the Caribbean and the Americas arriving there to inspect the city's bid.

The delegates represent more than a quarter of the vote, which will take place at the CGF General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11. 

"We are confident the Gold Coast will be received well as the Evaluation Commission put out a report a few weeks ago and the city had a glowing report while our opponents were classed medium to high risk," said Mark Peters, the chief executive of Gold Coast 2018. 

"Once the delegates get here it's a positive impression they will leave with.

"Every vote counts."

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