Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews has this morning announced that the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games event will not go ahead.
Mr Andrews noted the 12-day event, scheduled to be hosted across the five Victorian regional hubs of Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton, initially budgeted to cost $2.6b, would instead likely cost between $6-7b to deliver.
The Premier asserted the decision to cancel the event in Victoria was not a difficult one, given the revised actual cost estimates are three times what was budgeted. Instead, he announced intended delivery of a $2b regional legacy fund by the Victorian Government, the details of which will be fleshed out in the coming days. The fund will support a range of legacy projects, that deliver long term benefit, including at least 1,300 new social and affordable houses across regional Victoria; promised sporting infastructure planned for the Games’ execution, and a range of tourism and major events initiatives that drive visitation demand to Victoria’s regions.
These projects, Mr Andrews contended would deliver greater benefit, to a greater number of people, helping regional communities develop infastructure that supports a growing population base.
At this time, the Premier referenced State Government representatives are finalising contract termination with the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, based in London. This process has included discussing alternative hosting options in Victoria, for example, using already established competition grade sporting facilities in Melbourne. He reinforced all options discussed would still require far more investment than the budgeted $2.6b, while also expressing concern that city hotel rooms would be filled with Games participants and officials, rather than visitors to our city, who had come to watch them.
Our State’s decision to cancel hosting the event is not open for negotiation, he concluded.
For further information, see the following Victorian Government press releases:
Commonwealth Games Costs Too High At Over $6 Billion
More Homes With Sports Upgrades In Gippsland
Sports Upgrades For Shepparton Confirmed
Upgrades For Ballarat Sporting Venues Confirmed