“As it stands, there will be little or no benefit for many regional Victorians,” Mr Quilty said.
“The Commonwealth Games hubs of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland are all within the 150km goldilocks zone emanating from the Melbourne GPO.”
Shooting sports have been a fixture at the Commonwealth Games since 1966 but won’t be a part of this year’s Birmingham Games because of a lack of facilities.
Shooting was included in the Melbourne 2006 Games, with the Melbourne Gun Club, Melbourne International Shooting Club and Wellsford Range all hosting events.
“There is nothing planned for other regional towns, except for some airy promises about training or cultural events and the possibility that if we’re good, a Queen’s baton relay might go through town,” Mr Quilty said.
“In early May I asked the relevant minister to consider including shooting sports and archery in the 2026 Commonwealth Games. I am still waiting for a response.”
Mr Quilty said Shepparton, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Swan Hill and Mildura had top-class shooting facilities that would make perfect venues for shooting and archery.
“The cost of upgrading ranges to international standards would be low — and the return on investment would be significant,” he said.
“There are tens of thousands of keen sporting shooters and archers across the state, and better facilities would attract sporting tourists for years to come.”
