Games bid opportunity
The Wimmera might have an opportunity to play a major role in 2026 Commonwealth Games if the State Government wins a bid to present the event as a regional showcase.
The government, which has entered ‘exclusive negotiations’ with the Commonwealth Games Federation, has yet to announce what regional areas it would target for specific events. But it appears certain western Victorian will play a role.
As part of the State Government’s vision to present ‘a model of Games unprecedented in the competition’s history’, many natural attractions in western Victoria loom as eventvenue options.
Ararat Hills have a reputation for multiple mountain-bike trails that might be suitable for the Games’ mountain-bike events, while the Grampians might provide a suitable challenge for cycling or running events.
With the government and Commonwealth Games Australia ‘assessing the viability of the event’ as part of its submission, Wimmera leaders are eager for their communities to be involved.
Horsham City Rural Council mayor Robyn Gulline said she welcomed any opportunity for Horsham district to be ‘a part of any activities’ across the state.
“This proposal has been floating around for some time and we are delighted the State Government is supporting a bid for the Games,” she said.
She said the proposal for a ‘predominantly’ regional Commonwealth Games was a great concept.
“Anything that promotes the region to the domestic audience is a great thing. We have a unique and beautiful landscape and natural beauty, as well as a thriving community with life-long opportunities waiting for visitors to experience,” she said.
Cr Gulline said there were also opportunities for Horsham to host Games athletes.
“There might be opportunities for businesses in the region to host smaller national and international teams in suitable accommodation and for the regional business economy to benefit from the arrival of any teams,” she said.
She emphasised the proposal was still in a viability-submission phase and Games planning had yet to include any sporting-event specifics.
“While it is exciting, specific region involvement remains just speculation before details and discussions have been had,” she said.
“However, when everything is confirmed, conversations will begin in earnest about Horsham’s potential involvement.
“What all of it will mean, we are not 100 percent sure.
“There might be challenges Horsham might face in terms of providing large-scale sporting facilities and large-scale accommodation. But we are open to conversations and we shall see how it all plays out soon enough.”
“A Victorian Commonwealth Games in 2026 is ambitious but it would be wonderful for regional cities – it’ll showcase what regional Victoria has to offer for major events, tourism, culture and sport”
– Jo Armstrong
Cr Gulline said regional collaboration was a likely prospect, as soon officials locked in the Games.
“As a region we work well together. There is a long-standing history of councils and residents working collaboratively and collectively and I can’t see this opportunity being any different,” she said.
Ararat mayor Jo Armstrong welcomed the 2026 Commonwealth Games regional idea.
“A Victorian Commonwealth Games in 2026 is ambitious but it would be wonderful for regional cities – it’ll showcase what regional Victoria has to offer for major events, tourism, culture and sport,” she said.
“Regional Victoria has staged many large sporting events and certainly has world-class sporting facilities to offer.
“Sport is the lifeblood of many rural and regional towns.
“It would be exciting to have some of the world’s best athletes close to home, particularly with an impressive number of rural Victorians being among that elite group.”
Wimmera Development Association executive director Chris Sounness said an event such as the Commonwealth Games would generate a ‘collegiate’ energy across regional Victoria, including the Wimmera.
He said it had the potential to foster ‘huge’ economic results for the region.
“It would be great for our region to be involved, no matter the scale,” he said.
“The Wimmera is always interested in elite sport and the event would be great for visitors to the Wimmera and southern Mallee areas, as well as locals, to see the very best in the world competing in our backyard.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the submission to the Commonwealth Games Federation would focus on showing how the event could occur at multiple locations across regional Victoria to ‘showcase the best of what the state has to offer’.
“Victoria is Australia’s sporting state, and, if awarded, the 2026 Commonwealth Games would demonstrate to the world a new way to deliver the competition,” he said.
“We would hope to have the majority of events in our regional cities – to display the best of Victoria, create jobs and housing and infrastructure that will deliver for the long term.”
In its announcement, the government highlighted Victoria’s sporting pedigree and emphasised a regionally focused Commonwealth Games would expand the capacity of Victorian regional cities for major events, tourism, arts, culture and sport.
Commonwealth Games Federation president Dame Louise Martin, DBE, said she was pleased to have entered into an exclusive dialogue with the Victoria Government and Commonwealth Games Australia.
“Victoria is one of the world’s greatest sporting states and there is no doubt it has the venues, infrastructure and people to stage a world class edition of the Games,” she said.
The State Opposition has welcomed the proposal for a regional Games but emphasised that any event negotiations should accompany a regional infrastructure investment plan.
The Commonwealth Games Federation will assess Victoria’s submission before making any decision.
Victoria last hosted the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006.
If Victoria is successful in its 2026 bid, it will be the fifth time Australia has won an opportunity to host the event.