Developers keen to build the “anchor point for the Gold Coast’s Olympic legacy” can throw their hats in the ring from this week.
Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the Expressions of Interest process for the Gold Coast Arena project would open tomorrow (August 28) and be accepted until November 27.
Mr Hodgman said the 12,000-plus capacity entertainment and sports venue, which had already been confirmed as a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue, was one of the most exciting public-private partnership opportunities currently in play across Australia.
He said the project sought proposals from major Australian and international consortia to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the landmark venue.
“The Gold Coast is not shopping around for speculative interest. We’re now at the point of execution (and) inviting serious players to the table.”
Mr Hodgman said the arena would be delivered at a Gold Coast CBD site at Carey Park in Southport and was included in legislation under the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements Amendment Act 2024 supporting fast-tracked approvals.
He said construction was targeted to commence by 2027, with doors expected to open in 2030.
“Internal forecasts estimate construction will generate up to $2 billion in economic output, support over 6500 jobs and inject $700 million into the regional economy.”
Mr Hodgman said the City had deliberately avoided over-specifying the scope to attract market-led innovation, with early interest registered from consortia in the national and international markets.
“This isn’t about just building a box with seats. We’re talking about creating a privately run venue that will become an anchor point for the city’s Olympic legacy and support the growth in live event demand on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“We welcome innovative plans and ideas for the Gold Coast Arena. We’re looking to the future with this project and we want to work with a partner who is eager to create a legacy project.”
Mr Hodgman said the Gold Coast, already one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia, was forecast to see its under-20 population rise by nearly 40 percent by 2041, with cultural infrastructure urgently required to keep pace.
He said full EOI documentation and submission details would be released on August 28 through the Invest Gold Coast website.
