The City of Greater Bendigo has appointed its former director of corporate performance Andrew Cooney as Director Commonwealth Games to guide Council as it supports delivery of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Mr Cooney was seconded into the role temporarily for early planning purposes and his appointment follows an external recruitment process.

Mr Cooney, who led the City’s involvement in the development of Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub, was well positioned to achieve the objectives in Council’s Let the Games Begin document, CEO Craig Niemann said.

“Andrew will be able to draw on his skills in financial management, governance, advocacy and community engagement to ensure Greater Bendigo and the wider region share in the benefit of the Games coming to central Victoria,” Mr Niemann said in a statement.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held in Victoria from March 17-29, with Bendigo one of the host cities, along with Ballarat, Geelong, Gippsland and Shepparton.

Mr Cooney said he was excited by the opportunity.

“Bendigo and our region will be on the world’s stage and this really is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to help shape an enduring and positive legacy for our community from this experience,” he said.

“Our focus will be on ensuring we not only keep a city running but that Greater Bendigo and the region is in the best shape possible to welcome up to 200,000 people and support a smooth running of an event of this scale.”

Prior to joining the City, Mr Cooney was Executive Director Partnerships and Sector Performance at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. His previous roles also include General Manager Governance and Strategy at Coliban Water, Director Community and Corporate Services at Gannawarra Shire Council and Manager Organisational Development at Loddon Shire Council.

Bendigo will shortly advertise for a new Director Corporate Performance.

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