Comm Games loss hits hard in Bass Coast

AS the effects of the State Government’s decision to cancel the 2026 Victorian Commonwealth Games are still being felt, Bass Coast Shire’s own plans to host athletes was also ‘torpedoed’.

The shire has revealed it was poised to announce a pre-games athletes’ village in the region for either the teams from Wales or Scotland.

Planning was well advanced to set up a hub for more than 500 athletes and support teams at Silverwater Resort in San Remo. 

According to the shire, it would have been fully funded by the visiting team, set to inject up to $3 million into the local economy and create hundreds of jobs for several weeks before the games were due to start in March 2026.

Bass Coast Shire and the City of Casey had been working together in the background on the plan to host an international team pre-games since the start of the year, after the State Government decided not to host Commonwealth Games events in the Bass Coast region.

Athletes and officials would have been bussed daily to the City of Casey’s extensive sporting facilities just 30-70 minutes from the accommodation. 

“We had been in deep discussions with several countries, which had progressed significantly with Scotland and Wales throughout the last week. In fact, we were talking with them just the night before the State Government made their decision,” Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said.

“We are incredibly disappointed that all the hard work on this entrepreneurial partnership model won’t be able to be put into action.”

Cr Whelan said major events are an important part of the Bass Coast community and culture, so council would continue to chase similar tourism-driving events.

“However, council does not see this as wasted work. We look forward to securing our share of the $150 million dollar funding now set aside for tourism-related infrastructure, after the decision to cancel the games, to deliver the world-class Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail. This project is ready to go - all it needs is a commitment,” he said.

South Gippsland Shire Council will continue to advocate to the Victorian Government for improvements in the region, Mayor Nathan Hersey said after expressing his disappointment in the decision to ditch the Commonwealth Games.

“As a member of the Gippsland region, South Gippsland shares concerns and disappointment with other councils in this region, and of course we were well placed to pick up some of that investment from tourism and the visitor economy as a result of the Commonwealth Games that is now cancelled,” Cr Hersey said.

Cr Hersey expressed his desire to speak directly with Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy, Harriet Shing, to discuss the needs of South Gippsland and how the two promised regional funds could be used to benefit the Shire and the broader region.

According to the State Government, they claimed the cost of hosting the Regional Victorian Commonwealth Games would have exceeded $6 billion.

The government will now seek a resolution of all contractual matters, including a settlement of costs incurred, to assist the CGF in seeking an alternative host city for 2026. 

The Government also claims they will deliver a $2 billion package so that regional Victoria will receive the legacy benefits that would have been facilitated by hosting the Commonwealth Games.

CEO responds

Commonwealth Games Australia Chief Executive Officer, Craig Phillips AM, made the following comments about the decision last week.

“The announcement made by the Victorian Government today is beyond disappointing.”

“It’s a comprehensive let down for the athletes, the excited host communities, First Nations Australians who were at the heart of the Games, and the millions of fans that would have embraced a sixth home Games in Australia.”

“The multi-city model for delivering Victoria 2026 was an approach proposed by the Victorian Government, in accordance with strategic roadmap of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

“It was pitched to the CGF after Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) had sought interest to host the Games from several states. They did not step in as hosts at the last minute, as indicated by the Premier earlier today.

“The detailed budgetary implications announced today have not been sighted or discussed with the CGF or CGA ahead of being notified of the Government’s decision. 

“The stated costs overrun, in our opinion, are a gross exaggeration and not reflective of the operational costs presented to the Victoria 2026 Organising Committee board as recently as June.

“Beyond this, the Victorian Government wilfully ignored recommendations to move events to purpose-built stadia in Melbourne and in fact remained wedded to proceeding with expensive temporary venues in regional Victoria.”

MP Jordan Crugnale comments

Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale highlighted the main reason the government agreed to host the Games was to deliver lasting benefits in housing, tourism and sporting infrastructure.

“Everyone I have spoken with has said whilst it’s sad for the athletes it’s the right decision given the financial challenges we face, indeed the world over, and the actual priority needs we have with

Housing being at the top of the list,” she said.

“That’s why also on top of our Big Housing Build we have established a $1 billion Regional Housing Fund to build 1300 new social and affordable homes in regional Victoria.

“The overall $2 billion package will mean we still receive all the benefits that would have been facilitated by the Games – and more.

“We want to get the most out of the packages announced here in Bass and across Gippsland and I will certainly be playing a very active role on the Legacy roundtables that will be coming up in the next few weeks.”