By Jennifer McAsey
First published in The Age on May 11, 1988
Melbourne and Sydney turn rivals for Games
Melbourne and Sydney yesterday became rivals to stage the 1996 Olympics.
Just hours after Melbourne City Council released details of its proposal for the Games, the New South Wales Premier, Mr Greiner, said the NSW Cabinet had decided that Sydney would make a submission.
The Brisbane and Melbourne contingents await the decision for which Australia city will bid for the Olympic Games on November 17, 1988.Credit: David James Bartho
The president of the Australian Olympic Committee, Mr Kevin Gosper, said the “wide and enthusiastic interest from capital cities would enable Australia to put a very strong case for the Games.”
The Victorian Government and Melbourne’s business community yesterday signalled their support for the council’s bid. The lord mayor, Councillor Lecki Ord, said a “three-way operation” was essential for the bid to succeed.
Councillor Ord yesterday released a report estimating that Melbourne could make a profit of $200 million from the Games. The council report says that $1650 million would have to be spent on facilities and operating costs, but revenue from broadcast rights, sponsorship, franchising and new assets would add up $1850 million.
She said she had met with the Victorian Premier, Mr Cain, last week and he had been “very enthusiastic” about the bid. But further work would be done on financial aspects during the next few weeks, and the council would then report to the Government.
The bid will cost $1 million, but Councillor Ord said she hoped that the State Government and the private sector would share the cost.
The team that presented Melbourne’s Olympic bid after it beat out Sydney and Brisbane.Credit: Bruce Postle
The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Mr Trezise, said the Government supported the bid in principle but wanted to see the “full sums” before giving a final commitment. He said the Games would provide great benefits for Melbourne, and the city had a tremendous foundation of sporting facilities.
Mr Greiner said in Sydney that his Government would set up a bipartisan council to prepare a submission to the Australian Olympic Federation. He said the bid would be based on taxpayers not having to pick up the tab for the Games.
Brisbane may also bid. The lord mayor, Alderman Sallyanne Atkinson, said a feasibility study was under way, but it would be at least a month before a decision was made.
Councillor Ord said that one of Melbourne’s advantages was that it had about 90 per cent of the sport facilities needed for the Games. The council report identified the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the National Tennis Centre and Albert Park as the main venues for the Olympic competition.
It said a new swimming pool and velodrome would be needed, but these could be accommodated in a new sporting centre at Albert Park. The report said $300 million would have to be spent on venues.
The city would also need to build an Olympic village, estimated at $300 million, to accommodate 15,000 athletes. Councillor Ord said the central Docklands area, incorporating Victoria Dock and North Wharf would be an ideal place for a residential village.
“That would be the most magnificent asset to the city of Melbourne, to have residential accommodation around the Victoria Dock, close to the centre of the city and supporting the Yarra.”
Mr Gosper said bids would close on 31 August. An Australian bidder would be chosen in December, and go before the International Olympic Committee early next year.