City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali has outlined his vision for the improvement of transport services.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali has called for the regional transport system to be upgraded, as he looks for the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games to not be in vain.
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In 2017, it was announced that Shepparton would be joining Wodonga, Bendigo, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Traralgon in bidding to host the world-renowned spectacle and what would have been the first regionally focused event of its kind in Australian history.
However, in 2023 (after the Games had been awarded to Victoria in 2022) these proposals were shelved by then-Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who cited escalating costs of hosting the event in what proved to be a controversial decision.
It was claimed by state government officials that staging the Games would have cost the taxpayer at least $6 billion, while they had only budgeted $2.6 billion to put on the event, which would have been held from March 17 to 29 this year.
The call to abandon the plan proved divisive, and Mr Andrews vowed that $2 billion would be allocated by the government for improvements in sporting infrastructure in wider Victoria.
Since then, regeneration projects have been launched at Shepparton Sports City and VISY Community Stadium, alongside a masterplan for the opening of the Yahna Gurtji Shared Path.
Now, Cr Sali says the ill-fated Games process can still leave a generational legacy in Shepparton, as he looks to improve connectivity with the wider region in Victoria.
Mayor Shane Sali is steadfast in his desire to see transport improved across regional Victoria
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“What we were also working towards was greater connectivity between our regional cities — or how you get to and from your major city from the five regional host cities that would’ve been hosting the events,” he said.
“One of our legacies that we wanted to achieve above and beyond the infrastructure was a better and more connected transport network.
“One of the things we are calling for in Greater Shepparton is a review of our public transport network — in particular a bus network review.”
He posited that the plans for the Commonwealth Games highlighted the need for a consensus between leaders across the state in relation to transport.
What is ongoing is the investment from the Victorian and federal governments in the Regional Rail Revival program, which was established to upgrade every regional passenger rail line in Victoria.
This $4 billion scheme has delivered upgrades for three stations in the Shepparton region, with VLocity trains now travelling on 10 extra services per week.
However, Cr Sali is resolute in his desire for the conversations between leaders in Victoria to continue about levelling up transport in regional areas, with this even more pertinent in the wake of the axed Games.
“So, the conversation doesn’t stop. What we were talking about in terms of a global-scale event held across regional Victoria was that you clearly needed an enhanced regional public transport schedule and plan,” he said.
“So there’s two parts to it. I’m very happy that we’ve been able to work with the state to deliver infrastructure outcomes.
“But I’m bitterly disappointed that we are not seeing what could have been the full potential of the regional Commonwealth Games, with significant visitation and having us being able to put Shepparton on the global stage.”
Earlier in March, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan batted away questions about the legacy of the abandoned Games, preferring to focus on present issues.
“What I'm focused on today is what is of concern and a priority for the Victorian community today,” she said to reporters.
