Latrobe City Council acknowledges the Victorian Government’s commitment to regional Victoria through its $2 billion package following the cancellation of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The cancellation of the Commonwealth Games has economic implications for the region. Latrobe City Council acknowledges and understands the disappointment and concern felt by community, businesses and stakeholders who were eagerly anticipating the potential economic benefits of hosting this international event.
As a host city, Latrobe City would have had the unique opportunity to bolster tourism and stimulate economic activity during the preparation and 12-day event, leaving a legacy for our community.
We acknowledge the financial pressures that all levels of government are facing and are buoyed by the Government’s commitment to deliver lasting benefits in housing, tourism and sporting infrastructure for regional Victoria.
Our goal in hosting the Games was to ensure there was a lasting legacy across our housing, sporting and transport infrastructure, as well as a strong cultural legacy, increased social inclusivity and boost to our visitor economy.
The Victorian Government’s commitment to enhance our sporting infrastructure at host venues Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe, Gippsland Regional Sport and Entertainment Park in Morwell and the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in Traralgon will support our region’s sporting event offering.
We will work closely with Government to deliver on their commitment of social and affordable housing, in line with Council’s Interim Social Affordable Housing Policy, addressing the pressing need for affordable and accessible housing options for our community. The investment in social housing will play a crucial role in improving the living conditions and quality of life for many families in our community.
We will advocate to ensure our community receives its fair share of funding from the Regional Tourism and Events Fund to continue to attract diverse and high-profile events, attracting visitors and athletes from across the nation. With a rich history of hosting successful sporting events, we welcome the opportunity for future event attraction that would contribute to the stimulation of our economy.
The commitment to deliver sporting infrastructure enhancements will not only support the opportunity to expand our event calendar, attracting more national sporting competitions, but will create greater opportunities for community participation and engagement in sports, fostering pathways to participation for our community through the Regional Community Sport Development Fund.
While the cancellation of the Games is undoubtedly disappointing, Council remains committed to actively supporting and promoting economic development in our region. We will continue to explore alternative opportunities to attract major sporting events, invest in local infrastructure projects and support initiatives that boost tourism and create employment opportunities for our community.
