During this week’s Ordinary Council Meeting (23/08), Councillors determined to support;
- 2026 Commonwealth Games Expression of Interest (EOI) submission,
- A letter to the Hon. Ben Carroll Minister for Public Transport and the issues and projects requiring support from the State Government of Victoria and
- Planning and construction of a purpose-built Maryborough Emergency Service Precinct
Commonwealth Games EOI submission:
The Commonwealth Games will be held in Victoria from 17-29 March 2026, with four regional hubs in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, and Gippsland delivering a multi-city model.
An EOI process, asking for ideas from local councils, peak bodies, Traditional Owners, cultural organisations and businesses was announced – providing an opportunity for locations beyond the four major cities to put forward ideas about how they could contribute and benefit from the Commonwealth Games.
A four-page EOI document has been developed by Council, drawing focus to a number of areas, including:
- The recreational significance of Princes Park;
- The Shire’s location between the two regional hubs of Bendigo and Ballarat;
- The Maryborough Railway Station being placed as a gateway to the visitor experience and aligned with public transport connectivity; and
- The opportunity to take the Goldfields heritage to a global audience while the Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid is under active consideration.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said priorities identified in the EOI document have a strong alignment with a number of Council strategies and plans.
“The EOI document has strong strategic alignment with the Community Vision 2031, the Council Plan 2021-2025, our Priority Projects Plan 2022, the Recreation and Open Space Strategy 2020-2029 and the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 to name just a few.
“We know that $111 million will be spent on tourism and supporting events across Victoria in the lead up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This EOI process has been established to capture ideas for this investment. This is our opportunity to get a piece of that funding pie.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our community.”
Letter to the Minister for Public Transport:
Advocating for enhanced passenger rail services and further utilisation of the Maryborough Railway Station continues to be a priority for Council, Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said.
It follows a previous letter sent to the Treasurer Tim Pallas in June this year.
“In Council’s letter to the Minister for Public Transport, support for Stage 3 of the Maryborough Railway Station Activation Project, MYKI activation, additional weekday services and the return of passenger rail between Maryborough and Mildura have been highlighted as areas of particular focus for funding.
“The Station has enormous potential and the development of the Former Goods Shed, V/Line Crew Depot, Refuelling Facility and Railyard will not only enhance its use but provide economic benefits to the Shire.
“Advocacy is an important role Council undertakes and the enhancement of our public transport and connectivity to other regional centres is key for the Shire’s future growth.”
Emergency Services Precinct:
Maryborough Victoria State Emergency Service (SES), Maryborough Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Maryborough Ambulance Victoria (AV) have approached Council to request support for an Emergency Services Precinct which will require funding from State and Federal governments.
The local emergency services have indicated they are currently all accommodated in premises that are outdated and no longer sufficient for their operational needs. Deficiencies include not enough room for the provision of training and the servicing of equipment or adequate rest areas for those on rotating shifts.
Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said funding is required to scope, plan for and eventually build a more functional and purpose-built facility that can accommodate all three emergency services on one site.
“Council’s recently adopted Climate Action Plan outlines the impacts of climate change including the increase in frequency and scale of flood, fire and storm events that will increase the demand on our local emergency services.
“For the emergency services to adequately protect and serve the community of Maryborough and Central Goldfields more broadly, facilities need to be updated and located where access is easier and safer for them and the community.
“Council will support the emergency services by way of letters of support and advocacy for funding for the planning and construction of the purpose-built facility.”
