THE Committee for Geelong (CfG) says the time is now for policy that will create the framework for the \u201csecond city\u201d status of not only Geelong but also cities across Australia.<\/p>\n
More than 100 people attended the launch of CfG\u2019s Second City Policy Framework, held aboard the Bellarine Express as it cruised on Corio Bay in between the first Melbourne-Geelong trial ferry services.<\/p>\n
The proposed framework, which will be presented to state Parliament today (Thursday), puts forward 26 specific actions, and details local and government targets for collaboration, support and investment.<\/p>\n
These are gathered in five themes: governance; economic prosperity; social, cultural and sporting excellence; health, education, inclusion and accessibility; and infrastructure and connectivity.<\/p>\n
The 26 actions include:
\n\u2022 Formally recognising Geelong as Victoria\u2019s second city
\n\u2022 Creation of a widely recognised city brand
\n\u2022 A review into the establishment of a Second City-specific Economic and Technological Development Zone such as the zones in China that encourage foreign investment
\n\u2022 Visit Victoria to implement Geelong-specific policies to build the visitor economy
\n\u2022 The growth of Geelong\u2019s health sector including priority for a new hospital, and
\n\u2022 High-speed, reliable WiFi on public transport, schools and key public places.<\/p>\n
CfG chief executive officer Rebecca Casson said as Geelong grew, other Victorian second cities would come to the fore.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is that if we can get Geelong right and take the population and look at that infrastructure and the governance structure and the economic prosperity, we can then put that framework down to other cities as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said CfG\u2019s research had found nations that had invested more heavily in their second-tier cities had fared better through global economic shocks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe it\u2019s important to put out, in the lead-up to the Victorian state election, a document that really sets out what we believe could be the opportunities for success for Geelong as Victoria\u2019s second city.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Committee for Geelong (CfG) says the time is now for policy that will create the framework for the \u201csecond city\u201d status of not only Geelong but also cities across Australia. More than 100 people attended the launch of CfG\u2019s Second City Policy Framework, held aboard the Bellarine Express as it cruised on Corio Bay […]<\/p>\n