Games host cities launch plan for funding

AN ORGANISATION representing most of the cities hosting Victoria 2026 has outlined the need to spend tens of millions of dollars to make the Commonwealth Games a success.

Today (Wednesday, June 7), Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) and the City of Greater Geelong jointly released “The Winning Formula for Regional Victoria”, which details what should be done to create a lasting legacy not only in the five Games hubs but across the whole state.

The document lists 11 priorities ahead of the Games, which start in March 2026:

• Facilitating partnerships between regional cities and participating countries to provide a base for their training and Games preparation
• $2 million for each city to conduct repairs or upgrade sporting facilities in their region
• All equipment provided for the Games to be donated to local regional sporting organisations
• A $30 million Regional Parks and Civic Space Program to create new parkland and upgrade existing open spaces
• The Victorian government to sponsor free cultural activities and events across the regions
• Creation of a new local Victoria Skills Authority liaison officer in each regional city for at least three years
• Establishing a Commonwealth Games Regional Volunteer Program to provide training, pre-employment qualifications and supported accommodation for 16–21-year-olds to volunteer
• Regionally-based businesses to make up 100 per cent of all opportunities created through the Games’ procurement processes, with priority given to First Nations businesses and employers Investing $30 million into a tourism campaign
• Offering regional tourism packages when people are purchasing their Games tickets, and
• Ensuring the Royal Baton Relay visits all 10 regional cities, and that the baton is designed by a regional Indigenous artist.

RCV comprises the 10 largest cities in regional Victoria, and four of the five Games hubs – Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Shepparton – are members. Gippsland will be the fifth hub.

Victoria 2026 is expected to cost about $2.6 billion to deliver, with nearly $300 million to be spent in Geelong alone, but the Victorian and federal governments have yet to commit to specific funding in their 2023/24 budgets.

“There is an incredible opportunity to create generational-level improvements for our regional cities,” Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said.

“Whether it is sporting and community infrastructure, tourism, business, housing or cultural activities, there is potential to have a massive impact across all levels of our communities.”

RCV chair Cr Andrea Metcalf said the 2026 Commonwealth Games presented a unique opportunity that must reach all parts of the state.

“It is a priority that First Peoples and Traditional Owners are engaged in all aspects of the Games delivery and ensure they reflect Victoria’s rich cultural history.

“With the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund discontinued in the 2023/24 Victorian Budget, our regional cities need assurance from the government that they will invest in our regions to ensure they continue to be great places to live, work and visit.”