Council & Business
25 August, 2022
Maryborough could be a visitor gateway for 2026 Commonwealth Games, council says
In the lead up to the Commonwealth Games, the Victorian Government will spend some $111 million on tourism and supporting events across Victoria — with the expression of interest process established to capture ideas for this investment, the report...
The Central Goldfields Shire could be on the map as part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the Council submitting an expression of interest for a significant boost in funding for local infrastructure to the Victorian Government.
The State Government sought ideas from local councils, peak bodies, cultural organisations and businesses for locations beyond the four major cities hosting the games — Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland — to put forward ideas about how they could contribute and benefit from Commonwealth Games.
Councillors endorsed council’s four-page expression of interest document at this week’s ordinary council meeting, with the document drawing focus to the shire’s location between Ballarat and Bendigo, the Maryborough Railway Station’s position as a gateway to the visitor experience and the recreational significance of Princes Park.
The document also highlighted the community’s proven capacity to deliver enduring large-scale events, the opportunity to deliver a legacy of improved social and economic outcomes through investment in key infrastructure and the Games’ ability to highlight the World Heritage bid for the region.
In the lead up to the Commonwealth Games, the Victorian Government will spend some $111 million on tourism and supporting events across Victoria — with the expression of interest process established to capture ideas for this investment, the report tabled to council states.
Moving the motion to endorse council’s expression of interest document, councillor Gerard Murphy said the 2026 Games could be an opportunity to develop the Central Goldfields Shire.
“The 2026 Games are going to be held in Victoria and there will be regional hubs in Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and Geelong,” he said.
“Some people say the Games aren’t worth anything anymore, but I think they develop us as a nation and can also develop this community.”
The document also highlights the need for $3 million in funding for stage three of the Maryborough Railway Station redevelopment, $6.5 million to restore the Maryborough Outdoor Pool, $5 million for upgrades to the Princes Park Grandstand and up to $150,000 for research and development aimed at attracting events to the shire.
NBA player Matthew Dellavedova is also showcased in the document as a homegrown hero, with the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre’s basketball stadium, the ‘Delly Dome’, serving as an inspiration to future athletes of the shire and the opportunities access to facilities provides.
The motion was seconded by Councillor Geoff Lovett who said it made sense to put in an expression of interest given the proximity of Ballarat and Bendigo.
“There’s an old adage that you’ve got to be in it to win it,” he said.
“The beauty of these 2026 Commonwealth Games is they’ll be held in four regional hubs and importantly for us, two of those four hubs are close to here in Bendigo and Ballarat.
“It’s very important we put in this expression of interest because if we don’t show any interest, nobody will show any interest in us.”