12:04p.m. 22nd August 2008

| Suzanne Keen and AAP

Premier Anna Bligh says the Gold Coast is the ideal place to host the Commonwealth Games and already has some of the necessary infrastructure in place, including the $160 million Skilled Park Stadium (inset). Main photo: Tourism Queensland

Premier Anna Bligh has today announced that the state will put forward a bid to host the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.

"The Gold Coast region is one of Australia's favourite destinations and a world-class tourism icon," Ms Bligh said.

"I can think of no better place to host the best the Commonwealth has to offer.

"We have formally contacted the Australian Commonwealth Games Association to express our interest.

“They have indicated that in the next few months they will decide whether Australia will bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games or future Commonwealth Games, so I was keen to put our hand up early.”

Ms Bligh's announcement makes the Gold Coast the first Australian city to go ahead with a formal bid.

The ACT and West Australian governments have announced feasibility studies to examine possible bids for Canberra and Perth to host the Games in 2018.

Ms Bligh said the Queensland government would now set up a local committee to work on the state[‘s bid and to champion the cause.

"It will be a big challenge to secure the Games but the potential pay-off is enormous.”

She said it was estimated that the recent 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne generated hundreds of millions for the Victorian economy.

"More than 125,000 visitors came to the Games and more than 13,000 jobs were created.

"If they thought Melbourne was good – they ain't seen nothing yet!

"Fantastic weather, people and attractions, plus an enviable track record when it comes to big events.”

The Premier said some of the infrastructure foundations were already in place for a Commonwealth Games bid, including the $160 million Skilled Park Stadium and the $141 million Convention and Exhibition Centre. Another $127 million is being spent this year to extend the Gold Coast railway from Robina to Varsity Lakes.

"However while these projects are significant, there is no doubt more work will need to be done if we are to be successful in our bid,” she said.

"Any money spent will be an investment for the future of this region and for our state.”

Gold Coast mayor Ron Clarke, a Commonwealth and Olympic athletics medallist, is expected to take a key role in promoting the bid.

Mr Clarke competed in two Olympic and three Commonwealth Games, winning an Olympic bronze and four Commonwealth Games silver medals.

Brisbane hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1982, beating bidders Lagos, Kuala Lumpur and Birmingham.

The next two Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi (2010) and Glasgow (2014).

The bidding process for the 21st Commonwealth Games will begin in 2010 with the Australian Commonwealth Games Association notifying the Commonwealth Games Federation of the intended bidding city from Australia.

The formal lodgment of bids to the Commonwealth Games Federation will take place in 2011.

The Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission then visits the bidding cities and produces a detailed report.

National representatives from Commonwealth Games associations will then meet at a general assembly in 2011 and vote on the winning city.