Geelong’s sporting infrastructure bill at least $140m, says mayor after Games axed

Geelong’s mayor has urged the state government to not water down sporting vows, a day after the Commonwealth Games was axed.

Renders for the now cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Waurn Ponds stadium build is still expected to go ahead. Picture: Supplied

Building the sports infrastructure the state has promised Geelong after axing the Commonwealth Games would cost at least $140m, the city’s mayor says.

Before scrapping the Games, the Victorian government pledged $650m to the region for both sports venues and the athlete’s village. How and when that money will now be spent – after the state vowed to honour its infrastructure commitments – is not clear and the government remains tight-lipped on the costs of specific projects.

The government said it would build an indoor sporting complex at Waurn Ponds, an aquatic centre at Armstrong Creek, a training pitch and permanent seats at Banyul-Warri Fields in Torquay, and upgrade hockey facilities at Stead Park, Corio – all by 2026.

There are fears the projects, which will undergo community consultation, could be changed or reduced because the Games aren’t going ahead.

A state government spokesman said $550m would be spent to build new and upgraded sporting infrastructure in regional Victoria that was due to be built for the Games.

Mayor Trent Sullivan estimated it was likely the Waurn Ponds facility would cost $100m or more, and an eight-lane 50m indoor pool and aquatic facility would likely cost more than $40m.

Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan says building the promised infrastructure could cost $140m. Picture: Alan Barber

“We understood … $650m of capital was committed (from the state government) to Greater Geelong (for the Games),” Mr Sullivan said.

He said the government should deliver on its promise for high-level sporting infrastructure.

“We are definitely in a period of danger where scoping of projects can creep down; that they can be reduced (in quality).

“It was a promise that was made in 2022 before the state election, it shouldn’t change now.”

On Wednesday, the state government announced how it intended to spend some of the $2.6bn it allocated to the Games.

Spending in regional Victoria is due to include $150m to increasing workers’ accommodation, $150m on tourism, $35m for community sport infrastructure and $25m for community sport programs

Tourism body Visit Victoria will get $70m and regional councils where the games were due to be held will get $25m.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan said: “We will deliver every one of the permanent facilities we said we would – delivering the lasting benefit, too.”

Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing said: “This is about creating secure jobs, helping businesses to grow and attracting even more visitors to regional Victoria.”

A Geelong Advertiser poll of 400 people revealed 58 per cent wanted the 2026 Games cancelled.

Director of town planning firm Urbis, Nat Anson who is based in Geelong, said regional Victoria had been denied the “rarest of opportunities”.

“A shared momentum-builder and collective fixed milestone to advance our regional communities. For us, they are scarce and priceless,” Mr Anson wrote on social media.

“We’ve lost international visibility to ignite our visitor economy, missed a golden opportunity to expand our innovation, skills and service-based sectors, and forgone significant private sector investment.”

Senator Sarah Henderson said the cancelling of the Games marked a “very, very dark day for regional Victoria”.

Victoria Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said the cancellation of the Games marked a “very, very dark day for regional Victoria”.

“I am calling on Daniel Andrews to tell the truth about what this has really cost all Victorians, how much money has been spent, and how much money the Victorian government will be paying to get out of this contract,” Ms Henderson said.

When asked about the Premier’s promise to deliver regional infrastructure projects that had been pledged for the Games, Senator Henderson said “I don’t believe him”.

Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to detail how much it will cost taxpayers for the government to rip up its agreement to host the Games.

Originally published as Geelong’s sporting infrastructure bill at least $140m, says mayor after Games axed