It has been widely reported that small businesses across the Gold Coast have been the biggest causality of the 2018 Commonwealth Games according to anecdotal evidence.

At the time of writing, The Small Business Association of Australia (SBAA) has not conducted an official survey of the impact of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Gold Coast small business, however, organisers need to give locals answers as to why they hampered the community.

The local population was shafted aside with no regards to their welfare or needs. Peter Beattie told those who complained about the logistics or the ghost town the coast became to “suck it up”. When residents complained or asked questions as there were many who were fenced in their own properties they were rudely rebuffed. When people complained of the transport chaos on the opening night ceremony, Mark Peter Commonwealth Games boss simply called anyone who expected a perfect transport system a “lunatic”.

All this shows is that organisers simply do not care about the impact they had on the community.

There is no reason for locals to be treated this way – especially if we want the long term benefits of the games to involve repeat visitors who have experienced the Gold Coast at its very best.

The fact is the Gold Coast is used to dealing with large crowds. Over the Christmas period the numbers are far in excess of what Commonwealth Games visitor numbers being under 700,000. During that period no one blocks of railway parking and life goes on during this period. No one goes placing huge billboards to tell the locals to go away. The school holidays followed Easter therefore with the negative and in fact frightening transport scenario that was being marketed, people felt it best to leave town – it’s no wonder that local businesses have been reported to have lower than usual turnover.

The financial impact of the Games is yet to be assessed, however, officials state that the Gold Coast should receive approximately $240m in revenue. This low figure beggars belief considering the event cost $2billion.

Small business generally across the length and breadth of the GC state that the downturn commenced once the marketing campaign began. This places small business in a situation where there is virtually a 2-3 month downturn. For small business this is a burden they cannot afford as small businesses in Australia are very small that includes small budgets. One must remember that small businesses have fixed costs that must be met and many have their homes mortgaged to banks so events such as this can actually break them financially.

It has been reported that there was a comprehensive report prepared by the Business School of Griffith University and released last year as to the impact of the Games on business that clearly stated there would be little or no financial benefit to small business, considering the Gold Coast is home to the highest number of small businesses in Australia, this is appalling.

The question that need to be asked is was there any studies undertaken of Olympic and Commonwealth Games and the impact it had on the local population and business community because the understanding at the SBAA is that there was plenty of evidence that could have been taken into consideration and thus the serious downturn for small business avoided with more accurate and truthful information.

The business community is not angry at the downturn but they are angry because there was so much hype, they were told what to prepare for by the experts including expectations of booming trading. The reality is that huge booming trade or tourism does not and will not eventuate from the Games. This has been proven over and over again from past Games around the world.

Someone needs to be accountable for the negative advertising campaign that kept locals away.

SBAA will be conducting a survey about the impact of the Commonwealth Games in the near future – in the meantime if you have a story to share as to how your business was affected please email to info@smallbusinessassociation.com.au

Written by Small Business Association of Australia