Commonwealth Games 2030: 11 regional Victorian towns launch bid
EXCLUSIVE: ELEVEN Victorian regional cities and towns are launching a revolutionary bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
ELEVEN Victorian regional cities and towns are launching a revolutionary bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
In what is a world first, the bid — dubbed the People’s Games — isn’t spearheaded by a single host city.
Instead it promises that events, and thousands of athletes, would be split across the regional centres.
The bid, which has been kept under wraps by its organising committee for months, will be unveiled on Thursday at Victoria Park Lake in central Shepparton.
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Other cities and towns involved are Geelong, Bendigo, Nagambie, Warrnambool/Port Campbell, Wodonga, Mount Buller, Mildura, Yarrawonga, Traralgon, and Ballarat.
The plan would turbocharge a regional jobs and economic boom but would bypass Melbourne. No events will be slated for the state’s capital.
A select group of prominent Victorians, including Heloise Pratt AM, former Swisse CEO Radek Sali, and former basketball champion Lauren Jackson, were secretly approached to spearhead the bid.
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Shepparton mayor Dinny Adem said the “first of its kind” vision for a People’s Games could form a blueprint for future events, given the infrastructure required and the costs involved in hosting such global sporting competitions.
Mr Adem said: “Importantly, staging a groundbreaking concept such as this across regional cities and towns will leave a legacy for millions of people like we have never seen before. The economic and social impact will be so significant — not to mention the wave of optimism that would sweep the state.”
A detailed plan has been presented to Premier Daniel Andrews and Sport Minister John Eren, and to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Sport Minister Greg Hunt.
Both governments are expected to be asked for millions of dollars to help get the bid off the ground. A proposal will also be put to the Commonwealth Games Association.
Under the plan, led by the Greater Shepparton city council, Shepparton would likely host the opening and closing ceremonies, if it secures funding for a stadium. Geelong’s Simonds Stadium could also vie for the honour.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the government would assess the regional “People’s Games” proposal.
“We are having a close look at that but again, there’s a lot of expense involved in that,” he said.
“Yes there are benefits as well, but you have got to be careful that in prioritising one event you are not having to take money away from a range of other important areas.”
Mr Andrews said it was unlikely that a “regional only” bid would get up, and pointed to some of the stadiums and other infrastructure from the last time Melbourne hosted the Games that could come in use.
“I think if Victoria were to be a host, which I think would be much better than simply Melbourne being a host, then of course it would have to include iconic venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground,” he said.
He said the state would be well placed to a Games because of the major infrastructure upgrades occurring across Melbourne.
“The costs of putting on an event like that, well that money has got to come from somewhere and therefore wouldn’t be available for other things.
“I’m not surprised that a lot of people in regional Victoria proud of their community, proud of their offering, are very keen to have the event.”
The premier said there were “lots of things” that stimulate growth in regional areas and was hesitant to back the Commonwealth Games bid outright.
“We are having a careful look at it,” he said.
The Herald Sun understands up to $1 billion would be needed to properly cost the bid and develop an airtight plan on how the regional towns would manage their sports. Sources close to the taskforce believe it can raise the money.
The state government contributed $691 million to stage the 2006 Games in Melbourne. Contributions from federal and local governments added to a combined $1 billion plus.
A KPMG analysis showed about 13,600 jobs were created.
The Games taskforce committee will meet in its entirety for the first time on Thursday.
Chaired by former Swisse Wellness managing director Adem Karafili, members include deputy Nick Holland, Ms Pratt, Peter Crinis, Mr Sali, Mitch Catlin, Andrew Ryan, Leon Spellson, Jeanette Powell, Jackson, John Steffensen, Marg Zita, and Mr Adem.
The group will meet with the CEO of the Commonwealth Games Association Craig Phillips later this month, and all municipal mayors and their CEOs have been asked to attend a workshop on April 28.
The Games would be expected to be a boon to regions hit recently by job losses.
Suzanna Sheed, the independent member for Shepparton, said it would provide a “wonderful” and much needed financial boost, and allow the government to show a commitment to regional Victoria.
“It means so much to country communities in so many ways. It can really give people pride in their town. It’s pleasing to see a project with a longer-term benefit,” she said.
Greater Shepparton city council is also proposing three test events: cricket, softball or beach volleyball in Mildura; sailing on Yarrawonga’s Lake Mulwala; and BMX in Shepparton, which is currently bidding for the BMX World Cup.
ATHLETES LEND SUPPORT TO PROPOSAL
LAUREN Jackson is prepared to do whatever it takes to get this bid over the line.
The basketball champ, who now has a different role as a mum to nine-week-old son Harry, is adamant this Games would have a positive impact on regional areas.
“Victoria is such a massive sporting hub anyway and people always get behind it,’’ she said.
“I know, coming from a rural area, that when sporting events come, people get behind it.
“The infrastructure is there and it’s just a matter of upgrading it.”
Jackson lives in Bellbridge, just out of Wodonga.
Another athlete fully behind the proposal is John Steffensen, who won gold in the 400m at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
“The Commonwealth Games put me at the forefront of people’s minds and it meant so much to me,’’ he said. “It’s a great platform for our sporting community. I’m on the board of AA and I wanted to change the sport and now I can help change my country. It’s about giving back.”
PRATT’S RURAL LINKS
HELOISE Pratt has a vested interest in the Shepparton region.
Visy Industries, the company her late father, Richard Pratt, founded, is a huge employer there and in other regional areas.
Mr Pratt came to Shepparton as a four-year-old with his parents, Leon and Paula. “He went to school at Grahamvale High School and then Shepparton High School before he came to Uni High in Melbourne.
He fell in love with Shepparton and it was a safe haven to come from Europe,” Ms Pratt said.
“The personal connection, too, comes full circle. Dad was there at the beginning and he’s not here, unfortunately, but it creates an ending. At this stage in my life, it creates an emotional journey.”
Ms Pratt is proud of the contribution she has made to the Aboriginal Rumbalara Football and Netball Club, the Shepparton hospital, where she has funded a new wing, and a program for kids working with fruit and vegetable growers.
Visy employs 200 people in Shepparton and 245 in Wodonga. In the rural area of Victoria, the figure is north of 400. “We’re very interested in creating jobs in rural Victoria. I’m proud to say we have invested about $20 million in the last 30 years,” Ms Pratt said.
Originally published as Commonwealth Games 2030: 11 regional Victorian towns launch bid