The City of Gold Coast Council has withdrawn its $700 million bid to host the 2026/27 Commonwealth Games.
In a statement, Mayor, Tom Tate said while there was huge support locally for the Games hosting proposal, the bid had failed to generate support at a State or Federal Government level.
“Our dual proposal with Perth would have saved Australia’s tarnished reputation, delivered billions into the national economy and given athletes, and para-athletes, a clear pathway towards other international competitions,” the Mayor said.
“We did our best and that’s all people can expect. Sadly, at the same time, our country’s reputation as a place that reneges on a global sports contract remains in tatters.
“In simple terms, it seems our Games’ vision doesn’t align with the vision of the state or federal governments,” he said.
“We also received fantastic support from great Australians like Gina Rinehart, Gerry Harvey and Katie Page, yet we couldn’t generate support from the State or Federal governments.
Mayor Tate said he would write to Commonwealth Games Federation President, Chris Jenkins, today to advise him of the Council’s decision.
The Victorian Government’s bid for the Games was accepted by the Commonwealth Games Federation in August 2022, but was subsequently cancelled in July this year after then-Premier, Dan Andrews, announced the venture would prove too expensive for the State.
