Victoria is pushing for a shared funding model for the Commonwealth Games, which is set to cost $2.6bn

Premier Daniel Andrews is hoping Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will agree to a 50-50 split in state and Commonwealth funding to build Commonwealth Games infrastructure.

An artist's impression of a Commonwealth Games athletes’ village. Picture: Supplied

Victoria is chasing $1.3bn in federal funding for the Commonwealth Games, using the state’s woeful share of recent infrastructure spending to argue for the major cash splash.

The audacious budget bid is for a 50-50 split between the state and Commonwealth to build infrastructure such as athletes’ villages and a new gymnastics and weightlifting centre.

Premier Daniel Andrews has been emboldened by the recent deal struck between the Commonwealth and Palaszczuk government for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, which saw Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commit $3.4bn towards a total $7bn cost.

The federal money will be spread across 16 new or upgraded facilities in southeast Brisbane.

The Andrews government wants a 50-50 split between the state and Commonwealth to build infrastructure such as athletes’ villages. Picture: David Geraghty

The Commonwealth Games will be held across five regional Victorian cities – Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton and Morwell – for the first time, and is set to cost $2.6bn.

Mr Andrews has written to the PM stating Victoria’s case and the expectation that it would be a shared funding model, and the state is now finetuning its budget pitch.

Last week the premier said he was “confident that the Albanese government wouldn’t want to let down regional Victoria”.

“Particularly after almost a decade where Victoria did not fare very well at all … There is some catch up to be done here and we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t put the best argument to the Commonwealth Government as possible for our share of funding,” he said.

The state budget is under immense pressure, including from massive pandemic-related spending and a slew of expensive infrastructure projects.

Geelong Council has also come out warning that a push for major local government spending could force it to apply for a rates cap exemption, while other regional councils have also warned that budget pressures will limit their contributions.

Mr Andrews said there were “obvious constraints that their budget is under and our budget is under” but the even would deliver a $3bn economic lift — plus extra “legacy” benefits.

The state is racing the clock to deliver infrastructure needed to host a quality Games, with an Expressions of Interest process launching on Monday for civil works to prepare for athletes’ villages in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Morwell.

This includes for earthworks, the relocation of energy and water assets, along with road building and clearing works.

Commonwealth Games Delivery Minister, Jacinta Allan, said there would be opportunities for regional contractors to get involved.

Contamination concerns hosed down

Workers in hazmat suits have been assessing a former Ballarat livestock sale yard being converted into an athlete village for the Commonwealth Games.

But the government has hosed down concerns from residents, saying it’s “standard procedure” at a former industrial site and that an environmental assessment that began late last year found no asbestos or heavy contaminants.

Hazmat crews were called to inspect an Athletes’ Village site.

Organisers also say remediation of the saleyard site, which is of heritage significance, won’t blow out construction timelines and the village will be ready by the end of 2025.

Athletes and officials for 2026 Games events in Ballarat, which include athletics, boxing, and mountain bike racing, will be housed in the 1800-bed precinct being built on Latrobe St.

The site was used to sell livestock until late last decade, but also had a history of industrial use – leading to asbestos being removed in 2020.
Earlier this month workers in full body protective equipment entered the site to conduct assessments, sparking unease among some residents.
Games organisers say that the PPE was a precautionary measure and “standard workplace health and safety practices” for the workers, who were doing cultural heritage surveys.

A spokesman said that the treatment and removal of contaminants will “prepare the site for future community use and deliver a cleaner and more sustainable environment”.

“We’re getting on with delivering the Commonwealth Games villages and will be undertaking site investigations ahead of works commencing later this year,” he said.

“Victoria 2026 will showcase Ballarat and regional Victoria to the world while boosting the economy, creating jobs and bringing visitors to the region.”

Council and community groups have considered future uses for the saleyards site for years, with a local government analysis in 2019 noting the potential for clean-up works.

“The saleyards site may have contamination issues that need to be addressed before commencing a number of more sensitive uses,” it says.

The government says an Expression of Interest for civil works, including remediation for the saleyards site, will be released next month, and work is expected to commence this year.

Heritage aspects of the site will be preserved including the former livestock exchange administration building and historical yards, the former McMahon House/Public Bar, and the Hand and Band mine shaft.

Last year the Andrews Government announced regional Victoria would host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, including events held at Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland, Shepparton and Geelong.

Athletes will be housed in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Morwell.

Organisers have briefed industry groups about the need to get cracking on infrastructure works, with just three years until the event is hosted.

Major upgrades to Eureka stadium are part of a $200m upgrade of Ballarat infrastructure, while the council is expecting a portion of the athletes’ village to be provided as social housing once the Games are finished.

As revealed by the Herald Sun, the villages will be built in two stages, with the first to get ready for “Games Mode” which will include using garages and living spaces as bedrooms to maximise occupancy.

Once the events are over, builders focusing on “Legacy” will convert those spaces to be usable by families in private and social housing.