Premier Daniel Andrews tight lipped on Geelong funding after Comm Games scrapped

Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to detail how much money will be pumped into Geelong following the state government’s decision to scrap the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews at a press conference in Mannerim on Friday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to detail how much money will be pumped into Geelong following the state government’s decision to scrap the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The lack of detail released to the public has raised fears legacy projects which were promised despite the Games scrapping could be scaled back.

Mr Andrews was on the Bellarine Peninsula announcing a new $170m regional tourism, package including $70m for regional events on Friday.

He told media on Tuesday the $2.6bn budget for the Games would be spent in regional Victoria and include upgrades to community sporting facilities, social and affordable housing and tourism.

But on Friday, he remained tight lipped on exactly how much of that funding Geelong would still receive.

He said all legacy infrastructure – including a high ball indoor sports centre at Waurn Ponds and an aquatic centre at Armstrong Creek – would be delivered in the region, but would not disclose the scale or timeline of the projects.

Renders for the Armstrong Creek aquatic centre to be used in the 2026 Commonwealth Games Picture: Supplied

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan earlier this week said he understood the Victorian government had committed $650m to the region to build sporting infrastructure and the athletes village in Waurn Ponds.

There are now fears the projects could be changed or scaled back due to the Games being cancelled.

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

Mr Andrews was joined by three of the region’s four local MPs when he visited Geelong, with South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman, who previously held the role of parliamentary secretary for the Commonwealth Games, notably absent.

Mr Andrews also refused to provide a timeline for when the highly-anticipated Geelong convention centre would be completed.

Earlier, documents post to a state government website said the almost $300m project would be been completed in 2026, in times for the Commonwealth Games.

“The early works are under way now and major construction work will begin either late this year or early next year,” Mr Andrews said.

The announcement on Tuesday to scrap the Games came as a shock to Geelong business owners and community leaders.

Cartel Coffee Roasters owner Nathan Johnston said his business had been “gearing up” for the event for months.

“There’s a lot of people who are devastated,” he said.

Mr Andrews said his government had spent “some weeks” finalising its position on whether it could host the Games in 2026, including getting estimates on how much it could cost.

“Anyone who is suggesting we were in a position to make this decision at the time of the state budget is simply wrong,” he said.

Mr Andrews said the cost of the Games was predicted to be up to $7b however, but has not yet provided a breakdown of exactly where the costs have blown out.

“$6-7bn is not a price we are willing to pay because that is all cost and no benefit,” he said.

Mr Andrews still refused to disclose how much it would cost taxpayers to rip up its agreement with the Commonwealth Games organisers.

Originally published as Premier Daniel Andrews tight lipped on Geelong funding after Comm Games scrapped