Following Victoria’s decision to pull out as host of the Commonwealth Games in 2026, the boss of Brisbane 2032 says she is not worried about a similar fate befalling the Olympic Games.
Cindy Hook, CEO of the organising committee for the Olympics, Brisbane 2032, says the event will come in on budget, the ABC reported.
Hook states, “I’m absolutely focused on the budget, the organising committee will be self-funding and we have a long runway and more time than they did to plan and I think that time if used well, will be very much to our advantage and I’m confident in our model”.
Victoria pulls out
The Victorian Government announced that Regional Victoria would no longer host the Commonwealth Games in 2026 due to financial reasons.
In a statement, it said, “that the cost of hosting the Regional Victorian Commonwealth Games will exceed $6 billion – more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our state”.
“We were pleased to be asked to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games – but not at any price. I think all Victorians would agree that more than $6 billion is just too much,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“Locals have told us that more places to live and more places to stay across regional Victoria is what really matters – so that’s exactly what we’ll deliver.”
The Government hoped the Commonwealth Games would deliver lasting benefits in housing, tourism and sporting infrastructure for regional Victoria.
Tourism relief
With the Games no longer going ahead, it has promised a “comprehensive $2 billion package to ensure regional Victoria still receives all the benefits that would have been facilitated by the Games – and more”.
As part of the package, tourism will receive $150 million for a new Regional Tourism and Events Fund that “will ensure our regions have the best of everything on offer with new events, new attractions and more accommodation”.
“We’ll deliver all the housing, sports infrastructure and tourism legacy benefits for our regions – but without the massive extra cost of hosting the Games,” Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy Harriet Shing said.
Victoria Tourism Industry Council CEO Felicia Mariani said the Commonwealth Games project “faced many challenges from the outset”, with plans to host the Games in five regions across the state, including Ballarat, Bendigo and Shepparton.
“The host regions will suffer, not just from the visitors they expected to welcome in this period, but also the global exposure they expected to receive,” she said.
“The biggest risk right now for Victoria will be in managing the reputational fallout as a destination for hosting major international events.
“Pulling the pin at such a crucial time on a major event like this will create concern that needs to be managed carefully.
“It is welcome to see that a $2 billion package of support has been made available for those regions and we hope that the investment will be directed where it is most needed.”
No alternatives
No other states have expressed an interest in stepping in to host the Commonwealth Games after Victoria’s withdrawal.
According to The Guardian, Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas wants Western Australia to host the Games. But WA Premier Roger Cook, dismissed the notion.
“The Commonwealth Games aren’t what they used to be and as a result of that they don’t provide the return on investment,” he said.
While sports tourism in Victoria may take a hit from the cancellation of the Games, people are still travelling to/from the state.
Last month, Melbourne Airport set a post-pandemic record for passenger movements through the airport.
