City targets growth

THE City of Greater Geelong has adopted a new 10-year economic development plan that seeks to launch the city onto the national and international stage.

With the population forecast to hit 400,000 by 2041, the ‘Geelong on the Rise’ plan aims to provide new opportunities for the region’s residents, add 55,000 jobs and increase the gross regional product by $9.7 billion.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said Geelong’s strategic location, air and sea ports, transport hubs, innovative businesses and research facilities, among several other assets, provided the municipality with “competitive advantages”.

The plan seeks to better leverage these advantages against the city’s “clever and creative” aspirations to deliver a more sustainable, innovative, resilient and future-focused economy for the region.

“Greater Geelong boasts the fastest population growth in Victoria and second fastest in Australia, the largest regional economy in the state, and the fastest jobs growth of all regional cities,” Cr Sullivan said.

“We need to keep the momentum going and leverage the knowledge, creativity and strengths of our community and industries to develop a more resilient and adaptive economy.

“Opportunities for future growth span advanced manufacturing, defence, healthcare, visitor economy and events, agribusiness and food manufacturers, transport, logistics and fulfillment, professional business services, clean economy, and creative industries and digital technologies.”

Some of the actions outlined in the plan include:

• Promote Geelong as a global business and innovation district
• Attract investment from around the world
• Promote the region’s lifestyle and liveability to attract talent
• Take a place-based approach to the delivery of thriving retail precincts and city centre
• Support workforce development, training and skills innovation
• Support programs and initiatives that seek to reduce disadvantage, and
• Advocate for key enabling infrastructure.

‘Geelong on the Rise’ has been shaped by more than 100 local business and industry representatives, with public consultation held in April and May this year.

Several additional considerations highlighted by respondents during the consultation period, such as decarbonising transport, attracting more events to the region and enhancing liveability, are also reflected in the plan.

Deputy mayor Anthony Aitken said ‘Geelong on the Rise’ would help to grow, diversify and future-proof the region’s economy.

“We’ve honed in on our region’s unique strengths, capabilities and key industries where we have competitive advantage that can be leveraged to deliver an international-scale clever and creative city,” he said.

“‘Geelong on the Rise’ is supported by a detailed action plan for council and partner delivery over the next 10 years.”