Regional hubs such as Bendigo, Ballarat, and Geelong will receive the long-awaited Commonwealth Games Legacy funding for upgrades to local sporting infrastructure, affordable housing, and local transport.
The announcement comes almost 10 months after the Commonwealth Games was canned.
Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan says the legacy projects are expected to be completed by the same 2026 timeline.
The Bendigo Sports Package, funded by the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program will include;
- Bendigo Stadium receive an expansion including a new two-court annex and upgrades to two existing courts. As well as upgrades to the lighting of the outdoor netball courts, new solar panels, improvements to accessibility, and the car park.
- The historic Bendigo Bowls Club and Bendigo Croquet Club will benefit from four refurbished bowls greens and two refurbished croquet greens, alongside upgrades to the venue’s iconic clubhouse.
- The Bendigo Showgrounds will draw visitors from far and wide with a new multipurpose pavilion plus redevelopment of the arena and upgrades to all four entrances and perimeter fencing.
These projects aim to increase sports participation across Bendigo and bring more elite sport to regional Victoria, supporting local businesses and creating more local jobs.
Currently, no budget has been set for the package. The Premier states that costs will become apparent in the tender process.
Further updates on the projects will be provided in the coming months, with the first works to kick off in early 2025. For more information on the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program, visit sport.vic.gov.au.
Premier Allan also says the legacy housing is the next step and the selected Flora Hill site has heaps of potential.
