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Date: 17/02/2021

Latrobe City Council welcomes the announcement from Premier Daniel Andrews that Victoria will seek to bring the 2026 Commonwealth Games to the state, with a vision to spread the event across a variety of cities and regions.

Latrobe City would jump at the chance to host Commonwealth Games events in 2026.

Our region is well-versed in hosting major sporting events, with international-level recreational and cultural facilities and visitor attractions. It would also offer a crucial boost for our local economy.

The State Government’s enormous funding support of major sport and recreation projects such as the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre and Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium position us well to support the bid for the games.

The Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre is fully equipped for Commonwealth Games events.

Other key facilities that could be utilised for the games include:

• Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, including the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre.
• International standard indoor sports stadiums, including the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium.
• The Latrobe City Sports and Entertainment Stadium, featuring a full-size FIFA accredited synthetic pitch.
• Multipurpose synthetic oval and sporting complex at Morwell Recreation Reserve
• International standard tennis complex at the Traralgon Tennis Centre
• Multi indoor sports competition and training facilities
• Grassed recreation reserves
• Strength and conditioning gyms
• The Haunted Hills Mountain Bike Park

Council looks forward to working with the State Government as this bid progresses to bring the games to Gippsland.

As stated by Latrobe City Mayor Kellie O’Callaghan

“Our events calendar is already rapidly expanding as we attract major sporting clubs and codes to the region, as well as increasing our capacity to stage state, regional and community level carnivals.

“The Commonwealth Games would be an ideal opportunity to showcase the world-class infrastructure available across Latrobe City and continue to build on our growing reputation in this space.

“Should a regional cities bid be successful we have the local expertise, passion and enthusiasm for sport and major events to prepare a suitable site for any number of Commonwealth Games events.”