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SUSTAINABILITY
As a transformational event, GC2018 presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership in sustainability by delivering to international standards of best practice, leaving positive economic, environmental, social and community legacies that last beyond the Closing Ceremony.
The Gold Coast is renowned for its natural beauty, and GC2018 provides the ideal setting to celebrate and connect with the city’s natural assets, as well as showcase our vibrant and diverse community.
Guiding our GC2018 delivery is the ISO 20121 event sustainability management system and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework Sustainability Reporting Standards. By implementing these frameworks incorporating stakeholder consultation and feedback, we have identified the following key sustainability pillars for GC2018:
We’re proud that our sustainability efforts have been recognised by the wider community.
- Winner - 2016 Australian Business Award for Sustainability
- 4 Star - Green Start Interiors Pilot Rating 2016
- Highly commended in Premier’s Sustainability Award 2016
- Pride in Sport Index
- Finalist - Human Rights Awards 2017
For further details on our work to date, please reference our foundation planning documents and sustainability reports below.
- GC2018 Sustainability Overview - Download
- Sustainability Report 2014 - 15 - Download
- Sustainability Report 2015 - 16 - Download
- Sustainability Report (Pre Games) - Download
- Sustainability Report (Post Games) - Download
- Towards a Sustainable GC2018 - Download
- GOLDOC Sustainability Policy - Download / Download
- GC2018 Approach to Human Rights and Post-Games report - Download
Contact the team via email sustainability@goldoc.com
Source responsibly
Embedding sustainability upfront in the procurement process is an important aspect of delivering a sustainable event.
When we source responsibly our supply chain is positively impacted, from material selection to labour rights and local capacity building. We are committed to delivering the GC2018 procurement program in a way that:
- Achieves value for money,
- Contributes to the local economy,
- Minimises environmental impacts and
- Is socially responsible.
To assist this process, we have developed a number of supporting documents.
Sustainable Sourcing Code
- describes our approach to sustainable supply chain management
- sets out minimum requirements that all suppliers must comply with when providing goods or services to GC2018.
Download Sustainable Sourcing Code (PDF Download)
Materials and Packaging
Packaging (including food packaging) will be minimised to avoid:
- Unnecessary packaging costs,
- Demand for raw materials and
- Carbon emissions.
(Materials and Packaging Policy PDF Download / Word Download)
Sustainable Goods and Services Guidelines
Provide general guidance on how suppliers can improve the sustainability performance of their supply chain.
(Download GC2018 Sustainable Goods and Services Guideline / Word Download)
Food and Beverage
Providing sustainable food and beverage options and reducing food packaging waste.
The size and scale of catering required across all venues for all customer groups poses logistical and sourcing challenges. GOLDOC aims to source produce by working with both large and small scale suppliers, with the aim of achieving the highest standards across the entire regional food industry.
The GC2018 Food Experience, developed in conjunction with the City of Gold Coast and the local food industry, forms the basis for GOLDOC’s Catering Department to support and deliver the catering services across all GC2018 venues.
Australia’s reputation for its clean, green, innovative food has won many admirers around the world. There is a large and varied array of healthy food and drinks on offer within Queensland and surrounding areas, which currently supplies much of the requirements of the local population.
The opportunities to promote this produce are endless, from local seafood, pasture fed meats, local bush tucker foods and boutique beers and wines, to the diversity of fruits and vegetables.
Case study: Catering Advisory Panel 
Food and Beverage
GOLDOC in collaboration with the City, established the Catering Advisory Panel (CAP) to provide independent guidance, advice and support on the implementation of the GC2018 Food Experience.
It explores all facets of food production from producers, suppliers, manufacturers, disposal facilities for packaging, food rescue and food waste.
Quarterly Food Familiarisation tours around the Gold Coast and surrounding regions are held to meet industry locals, sample local products and disseminate GC2018 supplier requirements to producers.
Manage Our Impacts
Demonstrating environmental stewardship and protecting health of oceans through reduced use of pollutants such as plastic bags and helium balloons.
The impact of event pollution on the City’s waterways and ocean environment is a key concern for the local community.
Mass released helium balloons, light-weight plastic bags and single-use plastic water bottles are regularly found in the ocean, washed up on beaches, in the waterways and have been found to contribute to the death of marine life and sea birds.
They are a challenge to manage locally and throughout the world. Micro-plastic pollution is now working its way into the world’s food chains.
In response to this issue, GC2018 will be a helium balloon free event and Games-time messaging will encourage spectators to bring their own transparent, water bottle, with drinking water available for refills.
Increasing recycling rates and reducing waste to landfill
GC2018’s recycling and waste management systems and practices have been designed to maximise diversion from landfill within the constraints of the City’s existing recycling and waste management facilities.
GOLDOC’s Materials and Packaging Policy will be a key contributor to the responsible management of GC2018 waste.
GOLDOC’s approach to recycling and waste management for both GOLDOC’s Headquarters (GHQ) and the GC2018 event is based on the Waste and Recovery Hierarchy.
Resource Recovery Hierarchy
Refuse
The highest priority is to avoid waste. Plan to avoid waste before it's created, and
find alternative to disposable and single-use materials.
Reduce
Select items with the least packaging and reduce the quantity of
materials and products needed.
Reuse
Buy and use products that are reusable. Think about
how resources can be repurposed and repaired.
Recycle
Maximise resources diverted
from landfill by recycling.
Dispose
Send waste to
landfill as
the last
resort.
Case study: Games Headquarters 4 Star Green Star – Interiors PILOT Rating
An industry-leading 12 colour-coded recycling streams are available for office staff to recycle and maximise diversion from landfill at GOLDOC’s Headquarters. Information about recycling features in induction training and signage is consistent to Games-time signage. This commitment to recycling and reinvention was rewarded with GOLDOC achieving the city’s first 4 Star Green Star – Interiors PILOT rating for its Ashmore headquarters.
The rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) acknowledges best practice in sustainable interior fit outs.
To help make the Games a gold medal success, GOLDOC needed a facility which would grow as its workforce grew – from 50 in 2014 to more than 1,000 employees by the 4 April 2018 Opening Ceremony.
Key features of GOLDOC’s headquarters include:
Extensive use of local experts for the construction and materials.
Reuse of an existing building, with a focus on recycled materials, fixtures and fittings, including floorboards sourced from a dismantled basketball court.
A workplace travel plan that incentivises active, public and shared transport.
Emphasis on accessible design, including upgrades to bathrooms, parking and entrance to the building, as well as
accessible sinks in kitchens and hearing loop systems in major meeting rooms.
More than 360 indoor plants that enhance the visual aesthetics and working environment that will eventually make their
way to the Commonwealth Games Village.
Incorporation of Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) elements into the building.
Carbon Emissions
Climate change is an important issue for Commonwealth nations, and the Oceania region. Responsibly managing the direct and indirect carbon emissions attributable to GC2018 is essential to delivering a sustainable event.
Case study: Anna Meares Velodrome LED Lighting Solution
The new Anna Meares Velodrome provides a centre of excellence for track Cycling in Queensland. As Queensland’s first indoor Velodrome, this world class facility will attract elite training squads and competition events further developing Cycling in Queensland.
Featuring an international competition standard 250 metre timber cycling track, the new $59 million Anna Meares Velodrome is a GC2018 legacy project, jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Australian Government. It will host the GC2018 Track Cycling events, including four para-sport events – men’s and women’s blind and visually impaired sprints and the 1000m time trials.
The Velodrome’s in-field area also includes mixed-use sports courts providing for a range of additional sport and recreation uses.
GOLDOC also contributed to a longer term legacy solution for the venue by upgrading the lighting specifications from a metal halide solution to an LED solution. This will provide a lighting level to meet the needs of GC2018 and will cut energy consumption by up to 60%, reducing running costs and carbon emissions.
The permanent, international broadcast standard LED lighting, reduces the requirement for additional sports and broadcast lighting for future international competitions at the Velodrome.
Transport
GC2018 is a catalyst to bring forward transport infrastructure improvements for the long-term benefit of the community.
Public and active transport are the primary modes of transport to GC2018 events and will include accessible transport options to cater for varying transport needs.
A successful transport operation is critical to the success of any major sporting event. There will be significant demand on the transport system.
The GC2018 transport task is broad, ranging from public transport for spectators and workforce, ensuring that Gold Coast businesses can continue to operate as usual during GC2018 and the development of a priority transport network for the Games Family (athletes and team officials, Games officials, accredited media and technical officials).
For more information on our transport plans, visit the transport page.
Case study: Travel Demand Management
To ease the pressure on the transport system, the Travel Demand Management (TDM) program will influence travel behaviours in the lead up to and during GC2018. This focusses safety and efficiency, accessible transport connections and permanent adoption of active and public transport usage.
Public transport, telecommuting, active travel and travelling outside of peaks to reduce pressure on the transport system during GC2018 will be encouraged.
These changes could contribute ongoing benefits such as reduced congestion, better health and cleaner air for the region.
Case Study: The Legacy of Light Rail Stage 2
The Gold Coast light rail currently operates between the Gold Coast University Hospital station in Southport and Broadbeach South station in Broadbeach. The network is 13 kilometres long with 16 stations.
On 6 August 2015, the Queensland Government announced it was progressing with plans for the second stage of the Gold Coast Light Rail (Stage 2).
The 7.3 kilometre Stage 2 light rail extension runs from Gold Coast University Hospital station to Helensvale heavy rail station and bus interchange, and will be operational prior to GC2018.
This will improve public transport travel between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and play a critical role in transporting spectators and workforce to GC2018 competition venues.
The preferred alignment provides a cost-effective solution by efficiently using existing road and rail corridors, therefore reducing impacts on the community and the environment.
Construction commenced in July 2016 with the project due for completion in early 2018 ahead of GC2018.
For more information:
http://ridetheg.com.au/
For more Legacy Transport Information see Section 11 of the Transport Operations Plan:
Transport Operations Plan - PDF
The Gold Coast light rail can carry 300 passengers per tram, and has a regular service frequency of 7.5 minutes.
During GC2018 the Gold Coast light rail will:
• Continue to cater for community, commuter and visitor travel.
• Provide direct access to arts and cultural activities at Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.
• Provide spectator and workforce transport to transport hubs.
• Support spectator and workforce transport to Southport, Broadbeach and Labrador competition venues.
Inspire inclusive, active communities
Welcoming participation by people of every gender, race, socio-economic status, orientation or ability.
Our aim is to ensure that everyone can enjoy GC2018 in a truly inclusive environment. GC2018 has achieved some history making outcomes in this area:
• There will be an equal number of medal events for men and women, a first in the history of a major multi-sport Games.
• The GC2018 Reconciliation Action Plan will deliver legacy outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is the first of its kind for a major Australian event and for a Commonwealth Games.
• The para-sport program, which is integrated into the sports program is the largest ever for a Commonwealth Games
• Family-friendly ticket prices along with some free sporting events and the Festival 2018 arts and culture program, will ensure there is something to enjoy for all members of the community.
Human Rights
Respect and support for human rights are an essential foundation for strong communities. Mega Sporting Events such as GC2018 can have a positive impact on human rights and can contribute and promote positive social, environmental and economic legacies. GOLDOC’s holistic approach to the management of human rights across GC2018 planning and delivery is set out in the GOLDOC Human Rights Policy (PDF)
Case Study Human Rights: Pride in Sport Index
GOLDOC took part in the Pride in Sport Index (PSI), an Australian-first benchmarking program, designed to measure the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) people within Australian sport.
An initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Sports Commission which assists Australian sporting organisations determine what constitutes good practice and benchmark their own initiatives against an external measure and other sporting bodies.
Being part of the Pride in Sport Index supports our zero tolerance approach to homophobia, bullying and harassment and sends a clear message about our expectations around appropriate behaviour.
Case study: Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
Formed in collaboration with GOLDOC, the State and Reconciliation Australia (RA), the development of the GC2018 RAP was announced at the end of the last reporting period. Utilising RA’s three-fold structure - respect, relationships and opportunities
It incorporates the following five key commitments:
1. Increased procurement opportunities for Indigenous businesses
2. Increased employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people
3. Increased Indigenous participation in healthy active lifestyle initiatives
4. Increased awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language, culture and history
5. Improved connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Read more about the GC2018 RAP here
Promoting authenticity in GC2018 activities is paramount. Consultation with the Yugambeh Elders Advisory Group (YEAG) and Indigenous Working Group (IWG) has leveraged mutually beneficial relationships between GC2018 partners and community, informing a greater respect for and acknowledgment of the commitment and contribution of both groups.
A Games for everyone
GC2018’s vision to deliver an inclusive Games also stretches further than the sporting arena.
People with an accessible requirement will be provided with appropriate access at all competition venues.
For sports sessions, accessible seating tickets will be charged at the lowest price category within each session.
For those spectators requiring a companion (a person who is essential for assistance), a ticket will be provided at no additional cost.
GC2018 will cater for a large number of people with accessible needs. However, it is recommended to request these tickets as early as possible to ensure availability.
Our legacy
Considering community’s needs and expectations as well as legacy outcomes are at the forefront of GC2018 planning.
Working closely with our Games Delivery Partners (City of Gold Coast, Queensland Government) we’re committed to promoting healthy and active living, raising awareness, sharing knowledge and building capacity within the community to support long term benefits of hosting the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
It is also important that the community and all stakeholders understand how the event has been used to create positive legacies that will last well beyond the event itself.
Identifying opportunities for longer term legacy benefits is at the forefront of GOLDOC’s planning and some of these opportunities will be realised in advance of the event.
Embracing 2018
The Embracing 2018 program is led by the Queensland Government in conjunction with the City of Gold Coast, and aims to maximise the opportunities presented by GC2018 to ensure lasting benefits for Queensland, the City of Gold Coast and for the benefit of the broader Australian population.
Information about the extensive legacy program can be found on the Embracing 2018 website: https://www.embracing2018.com/
