Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate has ordered for the return and refund of almost half of the 2018 Commonwealth Games tickets bought by council using ratepayer funds.

Last weekend, it was revealed almost 2000 tickets were bought for trade, business and advocacy purposes as well as their own councillors and residents adversely affected by the Games.

However, Mr Tate has decided to return the 864 tickets offered directly to himself and councillors. The seats would be made available to the public and council would seek a refund of about $100,000.

In a statement, Mr Tate said he would also meet with City of Gold Coast CEO Dale Dickson and councillors to decide whether the remaining 1000 tickets were still needed for other promotional purposes. 

The purchase of the tickets brought political and public backlash, after thousands missed out through the public ballot.

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls had last weekend called for the specially reserved seats to be handed back, after missing out himself on tickets himself through the public ballot.

"I really think the tickets should be available for the people of Queensland, they shouldn't be reserved for special interest groups in terms of councillors and politicians," he said.

Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones also missed out on tickets through the public system, leaving her daughter disappointed after hoping to see gymnastics events.

After Ms Jones missed out, GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie applauded the ticket allocation system as "honest" and "fair".

WIth AAP

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