Council wins gold at the Victorian Sport Awards

The awards were held last night at the MCG, with four shortlisted finalists in each category judged by an independent panel of Olympians, former athletes and Victorian sport administrators.

The category recognises a Local Government Authority that has made a significant contribution to sport through the development of a program or facility that delivers positive community outcomes.

The Shepparton BMX Track underwent major upgrades in 2025, including the construction of the new Multi-Use Events Pavilion. Delivered in partnership with Council, the Shepparton Cycling Club and the Shepparton BMX Club, the project was supported by the Victorian Government’s Regional Sporting Infrastructure Program.

Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, accepted the award alongside Council’s Manager Economic Development, Anthony Nicolaci, and Manager Project Delivery and Assets, Kelli Halden, and said the recognition reflected the strong collaboration behind the project.

“This is an enormous recognition for Greater Shepparton and reflects Council’s commitment to sport, recreation and community health and wellbeing. It also highlights our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class facilities that attract local, national and international events, while creating lasting benefits for our community,” he said.

The pavilion is already delivering benefits for the region, with recent major events including the 2026 GWM BMX Racing National Championships and Round 4 of the AusCycling BMX Racing State Series attracting over 6,000 visitors to the region from all around Australia. These events delivered an economic injection of more than $6 million to the region’s visitor economy supporting local business and helping keep the economy strong.

Shepparton has also recently been announced as host for the UCI BMX Racing World Cup in 2028, which is expected to attract visitors from over 30 countries in the lead up to the 2028 LA Olympic Games.

“These events provide a significant boost to the local economy and demonstrate the value of investing in high-quality sporting infrastructure,” Cr Sali said.

“The return on investment from this project is already being realised. It is not only a highly valued community asset but also a major drawcard for tourism in our region.”

“This project highlights the great partnership with the Shepparton BMX Club and Shepparton Cycling Club, and they should be very proud of their efforts in bringing this game changing project to life. Membership at the clubs is growing significantly, helping develop a pathway for future champions in the region.”

The two-storey pavilion features accessible and all-gender amenities, meeting spaces, storage areas, a first aid room, catering facilities, a flexible event space and an outdoor undercover viewing area. It provides elevated views of the BMX track, enhancing the spectator experience while serving as a central hub for events and community use.

The project also included upgrades to the start hill and already world-class track along with lighting upgrades to the adjacent Shepparton velodrome which will help deliver broader benefits for cycling activity in the region.

Greater Shepparton City Council CEO, Fiona Le Gassick, acknowledged the team effort in the delivery of this vital community asset.

“This project is a testament to the expertise, dedication and drive of our staff, from planning through to construction and delivery of this outstanding facility. I want to sincerely thank the team involved and recognise the role they continue to play in not only developing high-quality infrastructure but also helping to attract events that put Greater Shepparton on the map,” she said.

“We are also proud to work closely with local clubs, including the Shepparton BMX Club and Shepparton Cycling Club, to create meaningful ways for our community to get involved and benefit from these initiatives.”

View a timelapse of the upgrades being completed in the video below.