By Marissa Calligeros and Christine Kellett
The Queensland State Government will bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh will make the announcement this morning at a luncheon at the Gold Coast Arts Centre at Surfers Paradise.
The news confirms the government's support of a bid that will be decided by the Australian Commonwealth Games Association.
It follows the announcement of a new light rail transport system for the region to make the Gold Coast an "international city", Transport Minister John Mickel said this morning.
The Commonwealth Games last came to Queensland in 1982, when Brisbane hosted the event.
Delhi won the right to host the Games in 2010, and Glasgow will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
University of Queensland events management expert Dr Michelle Whitford said massive investment would be needed to stage the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast by 2018.
"It would be fantastic for South East Queensland and the whole region and would bring enormous opportunities across the board," Dr Whitford, of UQ's School of Tourism, told brisbanetimes.com.au today.
"I think the only issues we would have would be coping with the infrastructure and the sheer magnitude of the games."
She said the announcement of a light rail system linking Helensvale and Coolangatta was only a first step.
"Transport is only one component. Financially, socially and from a skills perspective, there would need to be an enormous investment
"(Organisers) would also need to do a lot of research into its feasibility.
"There are definitely lessons to be learned - and a lot of heartache that could be avoided - from Melbourne's experience with the Commonwealth Games."
© 2007 The Sydney Morning Herald
