The Gold Coast will become home to the biggest water sports and para-athlete competitions, under a plan announced by Mayor Tom Tate today.
"Great cities maximise their advantage over other destinations and we have incredible water ways and ocean beaches. No other destination in the southern hemisphere can match us," he said.
"Today, I'm announcing a plan to secure several top tier water sports including power boat racing, wakeboarding, surfing, kite surfing and ocean ironman events.
"I also plan bringing the world's best para-sport action to the coast.
"Last year, we hosted the world para lawn bowls which gave us fantastic insight into what facilities we need to improve to take our city's events reputation to the next level.
"Accommodation providers are on board and council has recently spent more than $10 million on improving our public amenities to ensure anyone with mobility issues can enjoy a GC experience.
"If re-elected, I will ask council to double our investment in infrastructure and services to support people with mobility challenges.
“Today, I'm announcing a new vision for our sports and events economy - more world-class water events and more para-athlete carnivals.
"If re-elected on March 16, I want to finish the work I started a decade ago and that is to ensure our city has a marquee, tier one level, major event every month of the year.
"We have around eight months covered now with Supercars, Magic Millions, Pacific Airshow, GC Marathon and Bleach* for example.
"Through Council and my position as a board member with Experience GC, I want to take it right up to the other cities.
"The events we are chasing are family-oriented so people can visit and extend their stay on the coast."
The sports economy is currently worth around $600 million annually to the city.
"I want to hit $1 billion in the next four years. To do that, we need a marquee event every month on the coast and we need to keep supporting the 600 local events which happen every year."
Mayor Tate said if re-elected, he would work with Experience GC to "supercharge the events economy".
"It's a two-pronged approach. We need to get a boutique stadium built (10,000-12,000 seat capacity), and we need to secure another four top tier events for the annual calendar.
“I want families in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide to look at what events we have on offer and jump on a flight (or in their cars) and visit the coast."
Mayor Tate said the 2024 events calendar already included:
Tina Arena concert (May);
State Lawn Bowls (May);
Cooly Rocks on (June);
National Gymnastics (June);
Elvis: Musical Revolution (June);
World Surf Lifesaving (August);
Pacific Airshow (August).
"These are just some examples of our 2024 events calendar," he said.
"Events bring huge economic benefit to the coast including our 78,000 small businesses.
"Last year's Airshow saw a seven-fold return on our investment. This year's program will take that event to the next level."
Mayor Tate said a lyric theatre at HOTA was critical to ensure "we evolve as an arts-cultural destination of choice."
"I will take that proposal through council, if re-elected.
"I will advocate directly with the state and federal governments for arts funding to complete this stage of HOTA.
"The state has already budgeted to assist with design costs so I'm optimistic we can secure further financial support once the design is complete."
Mayor Tate said a 1600-seat lyric theatre would benefit residents for decades to come.
"There is never a cheaper time to build this infrastructure than today," he said.
"I want the theatre project to be shovel ready with funding secured inside 18 months.
"And when complete, I want Phantom of the Opera to perform as the first production."
