More than 1,000 staff preparing for the Commonwealth Games in the Australian city will eventually fill the headquarters in Ashmore, a a suburb in the Gold Coast. 

Queensland's Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the offices at TAFE Queensland Gold Coast Campus at Heeb Street Ashmore would continue to expand as the Games’ workforce grows in the lead up to April 2018, when the event is due to take place. 

“These headquarters are a hub for the planning and roll out of the Commonwealth Games,” said Jones. 

“The offices currently have 338 workstations and 33 meeting rooms, each with WiFi and technology to support a sustainable and virtual meeting environment.

“The workspace has been designed around flexibility with the ability to grow and change significantly as Games time approaches.”

Jones claimed refurbishment works on the TAFE campus had created significant opportunities for the local workforce.

“A large number of local suppliers have been involved in the process of securing and fitting out the offices, which is making great use of existing infrastructure,” she said.

“In fact, 93 per cent of the works to date have been carried out by Gold Coast and south east Queensland-based contractors.”

Stage one was completed in December 2014, stage two in late May, the most recent stage was finished in September, while stage four refurbishment is due for completion mid-2016.

TAFE trades training facility continues to occupy a significant portion of the campus.

Gold Coast construction company Condev Constructions Pty Ltd has been the principal contractor for the refurbishment.

Jones claimed the headquarters was just one of many Gold Coast 2018 projects that are delivering employment outcomes.

“A total of 2,689 unique businesses have registered with the Embracing 2018 initiative, the Industry Capability Network, resulting in 17,826 expressions of interest against Commonwealth Games work packages,” she said.

“Interest from Gold Coast and Queensland firms across the board has been exceptional.

“I want to ensure the Gold Coast 2018 leaves a lasting legacy for the Gold Coast and creating local jobs is a large part of that.”

Gold Coast 2018 chairman Nigel Chamier claimed the new headquarters fit-out captured the optimism and positive energy of the Gold Coast.

“The objective was to design a headquarters that defines the personality and tone of GC2018 specifically – a personality that would distinguish it from other Commonwealth Games headquarters,” Chamier said.

“The design celebrates pride in the Gold Coast being the first regional city to host a Commonwealth Games through reference to the natural beauty and identity of our city.

“It is a bright and vibrant place to work and we are confident it sets the right tone for our team to enjoy their workplace and its surrounds.”

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