Urban design expert’s warning for city to get strategy right for Commonwealth Games opportunity

A large-scale urban design expert has warned that Geelong must leverage its role in hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games or risk “spending a lot of money but achieving very little”.

A large-scale urban design expert has warned that Geelong must leverage its role in hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games or risk “spending a lot of money but achieving very little”.

Kate Meyrick, who is working on Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games preparation, delivered the stark warning during a keynote speech at the Property Council of Australia’s Geelong Outlook 2022 event on Wednesday.

Urbis city planning expert Kate Meyrick in Geelong on Wednesday.

Ms Meyrick, one of Australia’s leading thinkers on cities and their future potential, said Victoria’s exclusive negotiations to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games across regional cities presented Geelong with an opportunity to set itself up for long term success.

“If we understand where we are today and where we want to go, then we can use the opportunity conferred by the Commonwealth Games most powerfully to achieve that end outcome,” she said.

“If we don’t really understand what our real strengths are and what our real vision is, then we run the risk of spending a lot of money but achieving very little.”

Ms Meyrick said the “real legacy” of hosting a Commonwealth or Olympic Games was not in the short advantages, but in “the amplification of the city’s sustained social, economic and environmental success”.

Ms Meyrick outlined a handful of areas the city would need to focus on to help “build future strengths”, including:

ATTRACTING and retaining young talent moving out of Melbourne and into the region, which could be aided by ensuring the CBD is an “experience district” where activity continues outside of working hours.

BUILDING on “our largely population based economic growth” and nurturing “the green shoots of our knowledge and innovation sectors”.

SAFEGUARDING social equity and ensuring housing affordability allows for people to move into the region and does not “price out” existing residents. Ms Meyrick suggested the potential introduction of a “real urban neighbourhood in our city centre” to help enliven the city.

IMPROVING transport in and around the city, including via fast rail, better public transport and stronger pedestrian and cycling options – all to help “release the chokehold of cars”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in February announced he had signed a two-month exclusivity deal to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Victoria’s regions.

Acting Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said the city was “ready to showcase Geelong and The Bellarine on a global stage”.

“If the negotiations are successful, Geelong is a clear choice to host a spectacular opening or closing ceremony,” Cr Sullivan said. “Our city boasts some of the best sporting facilities in regional Australia and we’re ready to host everything from rowing to swimming, athletics, cricket, triathlons, road cycling, Rugby Sevens, and hockey.”

“The Games attract more than 5000 athletes from more than 70 nations, so the economic benefits for our tourism, events and hospitality industries would be enormous.

“Geelong already has the majority of the infrastructure in place and hosting the games would benefit our region for decades to come.”

Originally published as Urban design expert’s warning for city to get strategy right for Commonwealth Games opportunity