City Deal still not fully done yet

THERE is money on the table for Geelong’s City Deal from the Victorian and federal governments but both sides are still unresolved on the finer details.

The state Labor government moved first on the long-awaited initiative, committing $153 million
in its 2018-19 budget towards three projects – the Geelong Convention Centre, the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan, and central Geelong revitalisation works. It did not earmark any specific dollar amounts towards any of the projects.

Last month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the Geelong region to announce the Coalition federal government would match the figure to fund about 20 projects, including $30 million for the convention centre.

The funding breakdown quickly became a sticking point, with Committee for Geelong (CfG)
chair Dan Simmonds noting in his speech at CfG’s annual dinner last week that $85 million of the Coalition’s $153 million was for Apollo Bay, Lorne and the 12 Apostles.

“We are concerned that there should be some focus on what is good for Geelong in that, because I do repeat the words: it is the Geelong City Deal.”

He also said $30 million would not be enough for the convention centre’s estimated cost of $170 million, and “we’re just concerned about whether and how it can be funded”.

Corangamite Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson interrupted Mr Simmonds’ speech at this point, claiming the state government would put all of its $153 million towards the convention
centre.

This appears to be based on a highly literal reading of an October 10 state government media release about the convention centre that statesLabor “has announced $153.2 million in funding tothe project through the Geelong City Deal”.

Speaking the following day at Avalon, Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren said Labor
was not putting $153 million solely towards the convention centre, but that the state government was yet to decide exactly how its contribution would be spent.

“The comments by Sarah Henderson are outrageous.”

On November 2, Regional Development Victoria stated the $153 million commitment from the Victorian government was “towards a suite of projects that includes the transformation of the Twelve Apostles precinct and the Shipwreck Coast”.