Adelaide City Council push to host Commonwealth Games in 2026

LORD Mayor Martin Haese has backed a renewed push to bring the Commonwealth Games to Adelaide, saying the event could be an economic winner for SA.

LORD Mayor Martin Haese has backed a renewed push to bring the Commonwealth Games to Adelaide, saying the event could be an economic winner for SA.

Adelaide City Council will next week consider throwing its support behind a bid to host the Games in 2026.

Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese. Picture: Matt Turner

Mr Haese has given his “in-principle support” to Councillor Phil Martin’s motion ahead of a meeting on Tuesday night. “I support exploring a Commonwealth Games opportunity on the basis of, I think sporting and major events is something South Australia does really well,” Mr Haese said.

“From a reputation perspective, from a brand, tourism, and economic development perspective I think the Commonwealth Games has got the potential to be very good for Adelaide.”

Mr Haese said he had spoken to both major political parties about hosting the Commonwealth Games, but not in “recent days or weeks”.

Labor and Liberal have not committed to a bid and neither responded to inquiries last night.

The Commonwealth Games Federation will next year select a city to host the 2026 Games, with bids expected to be submitted by the end of 2018.

Premier Jay Weatherill in 2016 spruiked the State Government’s intention to compete for the Games in 2030, but little progress has been made.

The lack of action has prompted concern among advocates for an Adelaide games, fearing it could be trumped by a rival bid from regional Victoria.

Adelaide was beaten by Kuala Lumpur to host the 1998 Commonwealth Games. A decade later, the State Government withdrew from the race to stage the competition after then-Treasurer Kevin Foley labelled it a “B-Grade event”.

Cr Martin told The Advertiser that the Games would benefit Adelaide long after the 10 days of competition had passed.

“It’s more important about legacy, it’s a chance for Adelaide to seize the moment and guarantee world-class infrastructure that will serve the community well into the second half of the 21st Century,” he said. “People will say that we can’t afford Adelaide 2026 but I say you really cannot afford to pass it by.”

Cate Campbell during the Australian Swimming Trials at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre. Picture: AAP / Dave Hunt

Cr Martin said the Gold Coast, which will host next month’s Commonwealth Games, was an example of how the event could benefit a city.

“The positive impact of the games on the Gold Coast is set to be approaching $2 billion,” he said. “The Games there have created thousands of local jobs (and) millions in contracts for local businesses in construction and fit outs.”

A study from urban planner David Cooke found hosting the Games in Adelaide would deliver an economic boost of $4.4 billion and create 41,000 jobs over a decade.