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Active travel for Commonwealth Games Villages?

Planning is now underway for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria and key questions to be addressed include what the athlete villages will be like and will there be active travel for these active people.

Furthermore, will these developments leave an infrastructure legacy behind them that adds to the active travel opportunities for future generations in these cities.

It would be tragic if these lovely towns, already very sedentary and with depressing health statistics to match, did not seize the moment and ensure that the momentous event is a trigger for the switch to more active lifestyles to reflect the commitment to exercise of the participating athletes.

Well, you can have your say on that as Development Victoria has invited public input into the development of the Commonwealth Games Villages Design Guidelines. Click here to learn more.

The games will run from 17-29 March 2026, with five regional sporting hubs in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Shepparton and Gippsland to deliver a multi-city model.

Games villages will be constructed in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, and Morwell. Development Victoria is a delivery partner for the sports infrastructure required to host events, along with the Games villages.

According to Development Victoria, “The infrastructure we create will help to leave a lasting legacy for Victorians, increasing the supply of housing across regional Victoria, and creating world-class sports facilities to strengthen regional communities and inspire the next generation of local athletes."

"The Design Guidelines will provide direction for the design of the villages supporting a wonderful experience for visiting international athletes, with consideration for the long-term legacy outcomes that each village will provide to Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Morwell.

"These objectives will focus on supporting communities to connect to each other and to each place by enhancing the existing landscape and natural features of the site, by developing facilities that support athletes and future communities, and through the design of welcoming public spaces.

"The feedback you provide through this survey will be used to shape the development of the Design Guidelines. We want to understand your perspective on what makes these places special now, and what could help transform them into vibrant and sustainable communities in the future.”

The survey is open until Sunday 4 December.

Masterplans will be dev eloped early next year, followed by detailed design with construction during 2024-25.

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