Tuesday, 30 May 2023

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (18:13): (248) My adjournment is to the Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery. I call on the minister to provide comprehensive details of funding and time lines for the Commonwealth Games infrastructure promised for Bendigo. There was very little detail in last week’s state budget.

One of the government’s key promises was an athletes village to be built in Flora Hill, which would house up to 1600 people during the games. Afterwards it would provide much-needed affordable housing in the city. In the minister’s own electorate increasing numbers of homeless people are sleeping rough in tents and cars. Just last week Haven Home Safe acting CEO Vanessa Brotto told the media that social housing in Bendigo is verging on an emergency. There are around 400 homeless people in Bendigo, with another 3000 on the waiting list for social housing. She said there was increased demand from people who have never needed to use Haven’s services before. The shortage of housing is such that it is rare they can place someone in a house. Meanwhile, other groups such as the MADCOW homeless service have reported a sharp increase in people needing to use their shower and laundry services. The Bendigo Winter Night Shelter is also gearing up to provide emergency accommodation for the next three months to assist some of the homeless through the worst of the winter nights. The legacy of the athletes village as low-cost accommodation will provide a significant boost to the region.

In the lead-up to last year’s state election the minister also promised the Bendigo showgrounds would be transformed for the games so the venue could host track cycling and table tennis and their para-sport counterparts, including a pop-up velodrome and a new 3000 square metre building at the site. The purpose of hosting the Commonwealth Games in regional areas was to build long-term infrastructure that will leave a legacy, but there have been no further details in the state budget. A lot is riding on these projects, and with the games just three years away it is imperative that the minister provides further details.