HAVING regional areas host the Commonwealth Games will need “absolute buy-in” from the Victorian Government, Wodonga’s mayor says.
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Anna Speedie has welcomed Greater Shepparton Council’s plan for 11 sites across Victoria to host the 2030 sporting extravaganza.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for regional cities to talk about it, to think about it, to at least explore the opportunity,” Cr Speedie said.
But she added the proposal would not be realised without Victorian Government backing.
“It’s going to take absolute buy-in by the state government because it’s going to take state government funds to make this happen,” Cr Speedie said.
When asked if he backed a regional bid for the Games, Premier Daniel Andrews was non-committal but reeled off a string of Melbourne transport projects.
“We’re having a close look at that, but again there’s a lot of expense involved in that,” Mr Andrews said at a Melbourne rail crossing on Thursday.
“I would make the point that of course we’d be well-placed to host a Games like that because of course Metro Tunnel would be finished by then.
“These level crossings would be gone by then, a range of suburban rail extensions and big road projects, the West Gate tunnel, City-Tulla widening, the Monash upgrade, all of our infrastructure program in effect would make us best placed.
“But it would come at a considerable cost and we’re having a very close look at that.”
Greater Shepparton put its plan out on Thursday with various sports allocated to different centres.
It flags tennis for Wodonga, sailing on Lake Mulwala at Yarrawonga and mountain biking on Mount Buller.
Swimming and men’s basketball would be at Shepparton, athletics and women’s basketball in Bendigo and hockey, rugby 7s and gymnastics at Geelong.
Basketball ace Lauren Jackson is in a 13-member bid taskforce chaired by the boss of vitamins firm Swisse Wellness Adem Karafili.
“I live in Bellbridge which is close to Wodonga and the impact an event like this would have on our town and across the state is actually hard to imagine,” she said.
“It will literally be a game-changer for millions of people and I really hope our dream becomes a reality.”
A workshop for mayors and council chief executives will be held on April 28 at Shepparton.
The taskforce will compile a report on the bid’s prospects by July with Victorian Government funding for a feasibility study needing to be secured by 2018.
A bid would have to be lodged by 2022 when South Africa had been due to host the Games.
