Gippsland › Latest news › Peter Walsh MP
Coming opportunities for Victorian regional tourism economy as 2026 Commonwealth Games steadily approaches
A boost to the regional tourism economy is just one of a swag of benefits for country Victorians ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
With the date now set for a March 17 opening ceremony, we must not waste any time planning the work that must be done to make sure our rural and regional towns are ready for an influx of tens of thousands of tourists, athletes and support staff.
Kicking off with the opening ceremony on Tuesday, 17 March at the iconic MCG, 12 days of competition between 18-29 March VIctoria 2026 Commonwealth Games will see the world's best athletes competing for gold
Victoria deserves fair share
The Gippsland region, Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong have already been announced as host cities, while other regional locations like Mildura, Shepparton and Wodonga are crying out to be brought into the fold.
But while regional Victoria continues to suffer from inequality in allocation of government funding for new infrastructure and severe worker shortages across the healthcare workforce, upgrades to sporting infrastructure will be just part of the planning puzzle.
Regional Victoria deserves our fair share. More visitors will mean more demand on our country roads, public transport, health services and our small businesses which is why planning to host the 2026 Games must take into account necessary upgrades to hospitals and transport infrastructure.
Labor's failed to plan for future
Remember this November that Labor has been in government for 20 of the past 24 years. In that time Labor presided over a catastrophic neglect of road asset maintenance, a flailing regional V/Line network and failed to plan for future demand that growing regional communities will have on our hospitals.
Only The Nationals in government will invest to build new hospitals at Mildura, Warragul and Melton - with more announcements still to come - as part of our plan to fix the health care crisis in Victoria.
We'll also deliver the nation's first Regional Infrastructure Guarantee that 25 percent of new government spending on infrastructure will go into regional Victoria. This includes for those works that will be needed to prepare our communities for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. We deserve our fair share. Only a change in government in November will make sure it's delivered.
Pictures from Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Facebook page.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Cann River fire damages three commercial properties and burns popular Squires Cafe to groundCommunity feedback wanted for the Wellington Shire Draft Budget 2024/25 by 29 May 2024
Appreciation to Bairnsdale volunteers for their support during Gippsland Rotary Centenary House fundraiser extended by Darren Chester
Baw Baw residents will get new purple-lidded glass bins collected separately every four weeks to better recycling process from October 2024
Exhibition by artist Matthew Bagley is captivating journey into ocean conservation at Berninneit Art Gallery
Outward Bound Australia praised by Darren Chester for their effort to revitalise Gippsland outdoor education
Penny Glover from Guthridge Primary School presented with John Printz OAM Award in front of a huge crowd at Sale Memorial Hall
Upgrades to Kalimna Hill trail in Lakes Entrance prioritises safety and accessibility for walker
Baw Baw Shire Council funds 28 community groups total of $105,303 from Community Grants Program
Free Masterclass sessions to promote safe and sustainable community events in Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale over May 2024