Leaders from across the Geelong region have united to call for urgent partnership from state and federal governments to manage Geelong’s extraordinary population growth.
Geelong’s leading advocacy groups have written to the Prime Minister, Victorian Premier, opposition leaders and other MPs to make the case for urgent and substantial co-investment in number of key projects to revitalise Geelong and unlock its economic, social and tourism potential.
The projects include the following:
• Improved transport connections
• Development of GeelongPort and Spirit of Tasmania facilities
• Establishment of Aboriginal cultural tourism and creative industry opportunities
• Support for business recovery, innovation, and investment attraction
• Acceleration of clean energy, clean tech and circular economy
• Measures to address Greater Geelong’s housing crisis
• Development of Geelong as a world-class destination for sport and major events
The Geelong Collective is comprised of City of Greater Geelong, G21 – Geelong Region Alliance, Committee for Geelong, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine, and the Geelong Manufacturing Council.
City of Greater Geelong – Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan
“The Geelong Collective is an important initiative which shows that our region’s leading organisations are united in securing a brighter future for our city,” Cr Sullivan said.
“The key priorities across multiple sectors including transport, housing affordability and energy, highlight the diverse needs of the region.”
G21 – Geelong Region Alliance – CEO Giulia Baggio
“Geelong is the capital of a rapidly expanding region which contributes $20 billion to the Victorian economy each year. To manage this growth, we urgently need affordable housing, a modern transport network, and investment in emerging industries that will provide high quality jobs for thousands of people who are choosing to make Geelong their home.”
Committee for Geelong – CEO Jennifer Cromarty
“Geelong is growing faster than any other regional city in Australia. Over the coming decades, the need for significant investment in infrastructure to manage our growth is profound. Key to this is ongoing and long-term commitments from government to our roads, rail and public transport networks.”
Geelong Chamber of Commerce – CEO Ben Flynn
“People and businesses will continue to be drawn to our city because it offers them so much but it’s important investments are made in infrastructure to ensure growth is sustainable and our way of life is preserved”.
Geelong Manufacturing Council – CEO Jennifer Conley
“Geelong is ideally positioned to be a world-leader in the manufacture of emerging clean technologies.
We are an industrial port city with rich manufacturing expertise and deep collaboration experience between industry, government, and the research sector. These are the keys to a more resilient Geelong region – and a stronger more diversified Australian economy.”
Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine – Executive Director Brett Ince
“State and federal government support of these priorities will help unlock Geelong’s economic and tourism potential while ensuring our city is an appealing, well-connected destination for locals and visitors well into the future.
“All six organisations have worked closely together to determine this list of priority projects which will support the sustainable growth and revitalisation of Geelong.”
