By Oliver Lees
Calls to get on with the job of building the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct have been renewed as Victoria looms as a host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the state government considering a focus on bringing the event to regional areas.
Last week it emerged that the state government was considering bidding on the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The final decision on a host venue has been delayed due to the event planning complications that have arisen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although not explicitly confirming the state’s interest, Premier Daniel Andrews said his government was exploring the option.
“What you can all be certain of, and what I think Victorians know, is that the government and Visit Victoria, we’re out there every day working as hard as we can to get all the big major events to come to the major events capital of our nation,” he said.
With speculation mounting that the government would look regional when hosting the event, Macedon Ranges council has articulated its interest in participating.
Macedon Ranges council chief executive Bernie O’Sullivan told Star Weekly that he would like to see the shire included in the state government’s plans for the games.
“We would encourage the state government to consider rural and regional Victoria, in particular, Central Victoria, as a group of locations and shires that could work together, play to their strengths and host significant elements of the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“That said, significant government investment would be required in regional Victoria to make this a reality and successful.”
For years, The Macedon Ranges sporting community has been pleading to state and federal levels of government to fund the long-awaited Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct (MRRSP).
A need for additional sports facilities in the area was first identified during the Macedon Ranges council’s leisure strategy and indoor sports courts feasibility study, which took place from 2006 to 2009.
Stage one of the precinct plan, which includes three basketball courts, a turf oval and a sports pavilion, has been fully funded as a joint effort from Macedon Ranges council and the state government, but stage two is still without requisite funding.
