Geelong in top 12 most liveable cities

GEELONG is the 12th most liveable city-region in Australia, according to Ipsos’ latest Life in Australia report.

Up 21 places since 2014, Geelong’s leap is being attributed to the change in perception by local residents in relation to the top 16 liveability attributes identified in the report.

Of the top five attributes that 10,000 Australians consider a “good place to live”, several attributes in the Geelong city-region were considered to be above the national average.

Geelong residents cited significant improvement in three attributes in particular (out of 10):

• Good job prospects – 5.3, up from 3.8 in 2014 and above the Australian average of 5.2
• A prosperous economy 5.9, up from 5.0 in 2014 and equal to the Australian average of 5.9
• Opportunity for all – 6.2, up from 5.3 in 2014 and above the Australian average of 5.9.

The figures were revealed at a Committee for Geelong (CfG) briefing on January 31.

Ipsos deputy managing director Daniel Evans said Geelong’s improvement from the 33rd to the 12th most liveable region in just three years was an impressive and sustainable achievement.

“It’s evident that Geelong has migrated from a state of vulnerability in 2014 to a position of viability in 2017.

“We have to remember that 2014 was a particularly tough year for Geelong. Fast-forward to present day, the unemployment rate is largely on-trend and, importantly, relatively stable for a couple of years – underpinned by a more diverse economy. It’s encouraging to see that local Geelong residents are feeling more confident about their job prospects and their local economy,” Mr Evans said.

CfG chief executive officer Rebecca Casson said the statistics presented in the Life in Australia report proved that being optimistic about Geelong’s future was important, and were “a testament to Geelong’s continual transformation into a world-class place”.

“It’s pleasing to see our community’s confidence grow alongside our economy.”