The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games sparked a spike in volunteering, according to a report on the legacy benefits of the 2018 event.
Queensland Sports Minister Michael Healy said the GC2018 Legacy: Beyond the Games report 2024 assessed the benefits over the five years following the Games.
Minister Healy said the report found that there was an increase in the spirit of volunteering and community service immediately following the Games.
He said there was a large uptake in volunteering for Queensland sporting events, such as the Gold Coast Marathon.
“(The) independent review has found the legacy benefits for the community from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games have been substantially met or exceeded expectations.”
Minister Healy said the State Government engaged Ernst and Young to assess and report on legacy benefits of the Games against three themes of economy, lifestyle and community.
He said the report found that across all the themes, the “success factor has been substantially met”.
“The report noted that infrastructure developed in the Gold Coast continues to provide social benefits to the community, with the community’s use of major sporting venues on the Gold Coast having increased by 5,584 hours booked across all venues in the first 12 months alone.
“And since GC2018, the reputation of Queensland cities as sporting cities has improved, with Brisbane ranked the highest Australian city on the BCW global ranking of sport cities and the Gold Coast also placed on the prestigious list.”
Minister Healy said the report included an analysis of lessons learnt and potential considerations for Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games legacy planning, particularly in relation to key performance indicators.
He said the State Government was addressing the recommendations in the report through the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Legacy Strategy and Elevate 2042.
