A boutique arena on the Gold Coast is another step closer, with the process to get the venue off the ground officially getting underway this week.
Council has confirmed it will formally open the Expression of Interest process for the long-awaited arena project on Thursday.
Described by City officials as one of the most exciting public-private partnership opportunities currently in play across Australia, the project will seek proposals from major Australian and international consortia to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the landmark venue.
Chair of Invest Gold Coast Will Hodgman said the project represents more than an infrastructure asset.
“The Gold Coast Arena project and the EOI marks a signal that the City is ready to compete for global capital and legacy investment,” Mr Hodgman said.
“The Gold Coast is not shopping around for speculative interest.
“We’re now at the point of execution. The EOI opens on 28 August and we are inviting serious players to the table.”
The hope is to get construction on the 12,000 seat entertainment and sports venue underway at Carey Park in Southport in 2027 to ensure it’s open in 2030 before the Olympics.
The project is expected to generate up to $2 billion in economic output, support over 6,500 jobs and inject $700 million into the regional economy during construction.
Mr Hodgman said the City has 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.”
Proponents will have several months to lodge submissions, with a shortlist exepected by 2026.
“This is a high-value play in a growth market with Olympic backing and streamlined delivery and not only do we expect competitive interest, we welcome it,” Mr Hodgman said.
