Commonwealth Games a boon for the region

One of the reasons I love living in Geelong is the fact that every year we are home to so many wonderful major events.

Yes, we have the beaches and the wineries, which are world-class, but our capacity to play host to international bands, business leaders and sporting contests is second to none in regional Australia.

It is for this reason that it really came as no surprise that Geelong was such a key part of Victoria’s successful bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

On the back of this bid, Geelong will host seven sporting events including the aquatics (swimming, para swimming and diving), beach volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, triathlon and para triathlon, T20 cricket matches, table tennis and para table tennis.

That is testament to our region’s combined love of sport and hosting major events, as well as council’s investment in local facilities.

The funding that City of Greater Geelong council has provided for sporting clubs across the region has contributed to the upgrade of multiple changerooms to make them gender neutral and fully accessible, and revamped lighting at venues to allow practice sessions to last longer and for clubs to play matches in the evening.

It has also allowed for the development of master plans for precincts so that clubs can fully maximise a venue’s potential as well as maintenance of grounds and reserves so that members of the public can feel safe when visiting.

Of course, it is also likely that there will be further work that needs to be done at existing venues to ensure they are ready to welcome the large numbers of visitors and crowds expected to attend the Commonwealth Games.

But state government investment of new infrastructure will create fresh opportunities for local jobs, put money back into the local economy and further enhance our standing as the biggest and best sporting hub in regional Australia.

More than 5000 athletes from close to 70 countries are estimated to be competing at the Commonwealth Games, so fans will be out in force across the region, but I know that Geelong will be ready to embrace everyone who visits. It is only four years away, but it so exciting that we have yet another major sporting event in our backyard.

The Commonwealth Games were last held in Victoria in 2006, but the memories from that event remain and I have no doubt that the 2026 version will leave a legacy across Geelong and the Bellarine.

Closer to home, I anticipate the Commonwealth Games will also have a lasting impact on children and families in Armstrong Creek, who will be able to attend a range of different sporting events right around the region.

As the largest contiguous growth area in Victoria, Armstrong Creek has an array of recreational facilities in the area and I have no doubt that these will be put to even greater use in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games, and on the back of yet another major international event being held here in Geelong.

Cr Ron Nelson