With the Victorian government being approached by the Commonwealth Games Federation to host the 2026 event, after no other city in more than 50 Commonwealth nations was willing to host it the Victorian Government have been quick to start figuring out the cost and benefits of the plan after a two-month exclusivity agreement was signed on February 15.
The proposal for The Greater Victoria bid includes the possibility of; basketball (Shepparton and Bendigo), road cycling (Warrnambool/Port Campbell, Mount Buller) track cycling (Bendigo), diving (Bendigo), gymnastics (Geelong), rowing (Lake Nagambie), tennis (Wodonga), triathlon (Shepparton) and sailing earmarked for Lake Mulwala.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Tourism Executive Officer Noel Wright said there were definite options for Commonwealth Games events to be held locally with state and national events previously descending on the area.
“As the current home of the Victorian Standard Distance (formerly known as Olympic Distance) triathlon, we should be a front runner if regional Victoria were fortunate enough to get the hosting rights,” Mr Wright said.
“Sailing would also be well received on the lake with great vantage points around the foreshore for spectator viewing. Yarrawonga would also be well suited to golf and lawn bowls with fantastic facilities for both sports.
“Yarrawonga’s new multipurpose facility currently ready to begin the construction phase should be complete by 2026 providing additional sporting opportunities for sports like 3X3 basketball, volleyball and table tennis.”
When asked what being able to hold events here could do for the local area Mr Wright said it could put Yarrawonga Mulwala on the world map.
“International exposure via the Commonwealth Games could launch Yarrawonga Mulwala and the Murray River to a new international audience as a Priority Destination,” Mr Wright said.
“I am sure we would all warmly welcome the Commonwealth family to Yarrawonga Mulwala.
“Having had no discussions around the games as yet I am not in a position to comment on the likelihood of success for the Regional Victorian bid, but here’s hoping.”
Yarrawonga Yacht Club Commodore Glen Trevena and sailing captain Ken Cameron said they would love to host the sailing event in Yarrawonga which could put the town on the map and it would give back to the wider community. “I think we would definitely be keen,” Mr Trevena said.
“It would be fantastic for the town. It would see huge international coverage and generate wide interest as a tourist destination.
“We would work closely with other agencies in the area to maximise exposure and enhance promotion. It would also increase interest in the sport of sailing locally.”
When asked if anything would have to be done locally to bring everything up to scratch to host an international class event such as the Commonwealth Games Mr Cameron added that international competition will require a much higher level of facility and equipment than a regional club possesses but it would be doable.
“There would probably be funding available from government agencies to bring facilities of both club and surrounds up to required standard,” Mr Cameron added.
“This would generate inward investment and leave a legacy for the future.”
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum was excited at the prospect of the region hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, saying the event could also bring some further exposure to this part of the world.
“As it stands, it’s looking likely that Victoria will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and if that eventuates, I am very confident and excited that regional Victoria, and in particular the Goulburn Valley, will play host to a range of events,” Mr Drum said.
“Boasting world-class infrastructure, the region has a strong track record in hosting elite sporting events, and the prospect of the Commonwealth Games coming to the Goulburn Valley should have not only sports fans excited, but the broader community.
“The events will bring competitors, staff and crowds, all of whom will spend money in our towns and take in the ever-increasing number of visitor experiences the region has to offer.
“Having the Goulburn Valley showcased to an international TV audience is another huge benefit of bringing the games to the regions.
“With Shepparton mayor Kim O’Keeffe, former National’s state MP Jeanette Powell, and Mitchelton Wines boss Andrew Ryan all members of the bid’s taskforce, we are well-positioned to benefit significantly should the Greater Victoria bid be successful.”
City of Greater Shepparton, who along with a working group chaired by Swisse Wellness Managing Director Adem Karafili and a list of sporting and business identities originally came up with the concept of regional Victoria also hosting events, said they had been working on a regional cities model for a number of years with a pre-feasibility study completed in 2020, which was contributed to by the state government and several regional councils.
While some events would still take place in Melbourne, the task force’s chairman, Mr Karafili, said their plan could relaunch the state to the world after the pandemic and help to shine a light on the regions.
“Regional cities are well placed to support such an event with the potential to create significant economic and social opportunities for local businesses and the community,” City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said.
“The regional model is a good one with great facilities and infrastructure already available.”
Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games on five occasions, most recently on the Gold Coast in 2018.
The Games’ return would come 20 years since Melbourne last hosted in 2006.
