RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Brisbanetimes --> Victoria's 2026 Commonwealth Games cancelled

QuoteVictoria's Commonwealth Games have been called off, Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed.

The Games were to be held in March 2026 across five regional centres: Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Gippsland and Shepparton.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Andrews said the Games could cost more than double what was expected and that is why they would be scrapped.

"What's become clear is that the cost of hosting these Games in 2026 is not the $2.6 billion which was budgeted," he said. "It is, in fact, at least $6 billion, and could be as high as $7 billion.

"I will not take money out of hospitals and schools in order to fund an event that is three times the cost [which] is estimated and budgeted for last year. In terms of where we go to from here, the Games will not proceed in Victoria in 2026." ...

^

Dan Andrews @DanielAndrewsMP

QuoteBit of a long one this morning.

You might have heard the news this morning that Victoria will no longer be hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

And I wanted to tell you about the decision.
When the Commonwealth Games needed a host city to step in at the last minute, we were willing to help – but not at any price.

And not without a big lasting benefit for regional Victoria.
It's now clear: more than $6 billion for a 12-day sporting event is just too high.

It's more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our state.
The main reason we agreed to host the Games was to create a big lasting benefit for our regions – with more housing, boosts to tourism and sporting infrastructure upgrades.

So here's what we're doing instead.
We'll build at least 1,300 new social and affordable housing homes in regional Victoria.
We'll build all the permanent sporting facilities that we promised for 2026.

We'll work with sports clubs at a grassroots level to get more local families playing sport, including removing barriers for Victorians with disabilities.
And there'll be a massive boost in regional tourism and events – so they'll have the very best new attractions, events and accommodation.
These projects will create around 3,000 jobs right around the state, and deliver what our regional communities have asked for.

It's the right thing to do.

From the get-go, we said we'd create a long, lasting legacy throughout our regions.

And we're getting on with it.

You can't just have something like this do 2x or 3x cost and then expect that will get the tick of approval.

Dan Andrews has a duty to ensure public money is protected. He is doing that.

The unpopularity and discontent that results from this decision does not extinguish his duty.

Quote from: #Metro on July 18, 2023, 11:48:37 AMYou can't just have something like this do 2x or 3x cost and then expect that will get the tick of approval.

Dan Andrews has a duty to ensure public money is protected. He is doing that.

The unpopularity and discontent that results from this decision does not extinguish his duty.

They don't have public money because of the extensive lockdowns in the past.

Despite the cost factor, it's still a bit of a shock.

I note WA, SA, QLD have all very quickly come out and said they won't catch the ball either. Both SA and WA say the numbers don't stack up.

I think TAS had a bid that didn't eventuate as well. I guess this would just leave NSW and the ACT.

Update: NSW has ruled it out too.

I'd think most people will agree with Palaszczuk for once with Qld immediately declining.  I'd have to say I was surprised but at the same agree, at least it avoids the "Queenslander, QUEENSLANDER!" call had they decided to go for it (again).

Quote from: #Metro on July 18, 2023, 13:26:58 PMI note WA, SA, QLD have all very quickly come out and said they won't catch the ball either. Both SA and WA say the numbers don't stack up.

I think TAS had a bid that didn't eventuate as well. I guess this would just leave NSW and the ACT.

Update: NSW has ruled it out too.

Tasmania could do it and it may also fast track their new proposed stadium in Hobart? It could also fast track vital public transport infrastructure such as light rail and new electric bus routes. This would be ideal as Tasmania has one of the lowest public transport uptakes in Australia.

P.S. I wouldn't mind ACT taking the plunge They also have a plan to build a new stadium,  thus having the Games could be advantageous to their business case.

Brisbanetimes --> Victoria's global-scale Games shame is not Brisbane's fate

QuoteUntil now, few would have believed an Australian jurisdiction would subject itself to a shame job of such international scale as the Victorians so blithely did on Tuesday morning.

Having spent years fostering unique initiatives for the 2026 Commonwealth Games – and formally taking on the job in April last year – Daniel Andrews' Labor government has crunched a new set of numbers and pulled the pin. ...

Melbourne Age --> Taxpayers on hook for big bill as Commonwealth Games axed $

QuoteVictorian taxpayers will still pay a multibillion-dollar Commonwealth Games bill to cover continued project work and compensation following the state government's unexpected decision to scrap the event owing to cost blowouts.

Premier Daniel Andrews cancelled the Games on Tuesday, claiming the cost of the event had ballooned to between $6.2 billion and $7 billion, almost triple the initial $2.6 billion cost budgeted 15 months ago when Victoria successfully bid for the event. ...

No great surprise to me the cancellation.  The regional focus was always going to be costly.  VLine was not going to be up to task, it is struggling now particularly with the new fare structure.

I think they should have retreated to Melbourne and done a Melbourne Games.

Peter Beattie has suggested WA take them on, but I don't think they want to.

Implications for Queensland?  Transparency on real costs for Olympics must be forthcoming. And they need to pull their fingers out of their clackers and get cracking with a proper Public Transport Authority, getting tired of the chronic failures by Governments everywhere!

Holes be right ... 

Back to Birmingham?

Brisbanetimes --> Games authorities pursuing 'hundreds of millions' in compensation

QuoteCommonwealth Games authorities and sports agencies remain locked in negotiations with the Victorian government in an attempt to maximise taxpayer-funded compensation after the state's decision to break its commitment to host the 2026 event. ...

ABC News --> Queensland gives 'emphatic no' on hosting Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast mayor pleads for four-week window

QuoteThe Gold Coast mayor is pleading for a four-week window to put forward a plan to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria axed the event due to cost blowouts.

But the Queensland government says it has no interest in hosting the international event....

Well, imagine if they held the games, the cost blew up and that then ate or delayed the Light Rail funding.

I doubt the games can be held off operating ticket revenues alone.

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2026: Tate's vision and timeline $

QuoteThe sport locations and timeline for a Gold Coast-Brisbane-Noosa-Ipswich 2026 Commonwealth Games have been unveiled by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate as he pitches the event's main body.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is adamant the Gold Coast can pull off hosting a regional 2026 Commonwealth Games - despite Queensland state leaders pouring cold water on it. ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1683849759122153472

 

Couriermail --> Gold Coast 2026 Commonwealth Games ambitions dealt funding blow by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese $

Quote... Mr Albanese, speaking on Triple M Brisbane on Thursday evening, said if Cr Tate wanted to hold the Commonwealth Games "he should fund it" and made clear the federal government's focus was on the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"I think if Tom Tate wants to hold the Commonwealth Games he should fund it. We've made a substantial contribution to the Brisbane Olympics," he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ruled out hosting the Commonwealth Games hours after Victoria pulled out. ...

How much funding would a Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast (or Birmingham, for that matter) really cost, though? Even maybe a stripped-down version. Considering all the venues already exist. I guess the main expense would be a new athlete's village, but that in itself could be a good thing, as it can become housing after the games finishes. AIUI, a large part of the problem with the Victorian bid was Andrews' insistence on building new stadiums in Bendigo and other regional areas that would have seen very little use after the games.

A lot of these organising bodies need to get over their ridiculous requirements and just have events that reuse existing facilities.

If the seating capacity is low, too bad. So sad

Couriermail --> Gina Rinehart backs Gold Coast bid for 2026 Commonwealth Games $

QuoteAustralia's richest person Gina Rinehart has breathed fresh life into the Gold Coast's bid to save the 2026 Commonwealth Games that were dumped by Victoria.

The billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist has joined forces with major sporting bodies to help Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate in his bold bid to salvage the Games, after they were dramatically dumped by Victorian Premier Dan Andrews last month because of claimed huge cost blowouts.

While it is understood Mrs Rinehart is not prepared to bankroll the Games herself – which Cr Tate claims could be staged on the Glitter Strip for a little over $1 billion – she has offered to do whatever else she can to help the city secure the event.

The federal and state governments last month both dismissed Cr Tate's proposed rescue bid, saying Queensland should remain focused on its hosting of the 2032 Olympics – but Mrs Rinehart's intervention and fresh public support from Swimming Queensland, Volleyball Australia and Artistic Swimming Australia will today reboot it. ...

Couriermail --> Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bid could partner with Perth $

QuoteThe 2026 Commonwealth Games abandoned by Victoria could be staged on both sides of the continent after talks between the city councils of the Gold Coast and Perth.

The decision by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to bail out of the Games' hosting obligations citing budget blowouts has sparked fierce speculation over what will happen to the flagship event.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and his Perth counterpart Basil Zempilas have publicly expressed interest in salvaging the event.

Despite an indifferent response from the state and federal governments, support for the Games by Australia's richest person, mining magnate Gina Rinehart, this week has reignited flickering hopes the Games could still go ahead.

It is understood top-level talks between representatives of Gold Coast City Council and Perth have raised the possibility about the cities co-hosting the Games. ...

Couriermail --> 2026 Commonwealth Games: Federal Government offer surprise support for Gold Coast rescue bid $

QuoteThe federal government has opened the door to supporting the Gold Coast's sensational bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but says the Palaszczuk government need to get behind it first.

In a 180-degree turnaround from previous opposition to the idea, Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells has opened the door to supporting Mayor Tom Tate's audacious bid to replace Victoria as the Games host after Premier Daniel Andrews abandoned it in July.

Ms Wells said, in a response letter to Mr Tate late last week, she would be "willing to consider such a proposal" if support was "forthcoming from the Queensland Government". ...

 

Gold Coast Bulletin --> 2026 Commonwealth Games: Gold Coast to go it alone as propose sports line-up revealed $

QuoteThe Gold Coast will go it alone in pursuing the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Perth pulled the pin on its offer to co-host the event.

Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas says a lack of political will from the Western Australia government made a co-hosting arrangement unviable.

But Mayor Tom Tate is undaunted and is pushing ahead with his sensational bid to "save the Games" and "rescue Australia's reputation" after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews abandoned it in July. ...

I can only imagine that's a good thing. Still doubt it will go ahead, but two cities on opposite coasts co-hosting seems like a logistical nightmare.

Couriermail --> Australia needs to salvage the Commonwealth Games in order to keep Pacific nations from turning to China – GC Mayor $

QuoteGold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has warned of a looming political dogfight with China over the loyalty of Pacific island nations if the state government turns its back on his bold bid to resurrect the Commonwealth Games.

Councillor Tate has repeatedly asked for the state government to consider a proposal to stage the 2026 Commonwealth Games – which the Victorian government sensationally ditched last month, on the Gold Coast, which hosted a hugely successful instalment of the event in 2018.

However, despite federal sports minister Anika Wells leaving the door open to the idea, the Queensland government has ignored Councillor Tate's public pleas and written request to discuss the concept. ...

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/council/2026-commonwealth-games-dday-meeting-to-secure-event-for-gold-coast/news-story/186cfac3c379cf0c7f76ae4d308f5404

Quote...

The fate of the Gold Coast's ambitious bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be decided in a D-Day meeting on Monday.

Mayor Tom Tate will meet with Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips and Commonwealth Games Federation Partners Director Michael Bushell to present a feasibility study on the project. ..

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1714025107189092405?s=20

Couriermail --> Final nail in coffin for GC Mayor's bold Comm Games bid $

QuoteTHE 2026 Commonwealth Games are unlikely to go ahead and the tickets "won't be worth the paper they're printed on", a top Australian bureaucrat declared in blow to the Gold Coast's bid to save global event.

Federal Infrastructure Department secretary Jim Betts dismissed the chances of the Games going ahead in a fiery exchange in Senate estimates on Monday.

He later attempted to walk the comments back, saying he did not have a role in deciding "whether and when" the Commonwealth Games proceed. ...

Tate always does stuff like this.  The fact remains that the business of council still happens notwithstanding his theatrics.  As a BCC resident/ratepayer and GCCC ratepayer I still feel I get better value from GCCC.

Couriermail --> New Comm Games bid: Gold Coast and Perth dual-city plan backed by Rinehart $

QuoteAustralia's richest person has implored the Prime Minister to support a twin-city 2026 Commonwealth Games bid by the Gold Coast and Perth, to restore Australia's "tarnished" reputation.

Australia's richest person has implored the Prime Minister to support a twin-city 2026 Commonwealth Games bid by the Gold Coast and Perth, to restore Australia's "tarnished" reputation after Victoria abandoned the event.

In a letter to Anthony Albanese co-signed by mayors Tom Tate (Gold Coast) and Basil Zempilas (Perth), billionaire mining magnate and sports sponsor Gina Rinehart said Australia's inability to organise and fund a Commonwealth Games had undermined its international standing.

The new proposal comes after the Queensland government recently ruled out a Gold Coast-only Commonwealth Games, which was reported to cost upwards of $700 million.

Cr Tate told The Courier-Mail on Thursday night he truly believed the new proposal could save the Games. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1727699249247490305?s=20

Games on opposite sides of a very large country? Have they thought about all the extra carbon emissions from flights?

https://x.com/3AW693/status/1727923864619892777?s=20

https://x.com/SwannyQLD/status/1729437362068017362?s=20

https://twitter.com/SpencerHowson/status/1731397710945914990?t=UUI3gsS7rFRjqNhko0hCqQ&s=19

Couriermail --> 2026 Commonwealth Games: Mayor Tom Tate's big call on Gold Coast's bid to host sports event $

QuoteMayor Tom Tate has sensationally pulled the pin on his ambitious bid for the Gold Coast to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The international sporting event's future is under a cloud after Mr Tate declared he was abandoning the push, citing a lack of support from the state or federal governments to make it a reality,

"We did our best and that's all people can expect," he said. ...

Good!

ABC News --> Gold Coast scraps bid to host 2026 Commonwealth games

QuoteGold Coast has scrapped its bid to host the 2026/2027 Commonwealth Games after it failed to generate support from the state or federal governments.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate confirmed the city would no longer pursue its $700 million bid to host a "streamlined" 2026 Games, announced after the Victorian government pulled out in July citing cost blowouts.

"We did our best and that's all people can expect," Mr Tate said in a statement on Sunday night. ...

https://x.com/heidimur/status/1770225272107008395?s=20