Jobs growth to take off with Avalon strategy

A GREEN wedge separating Geelong and Melbourne is set to become planning law and the region’s airport precinct is earmarked as a multi-billion-dollar industrial growth area under the Avalon Corridor Strategy (ACS).

The City of Greater Geelong voted to accept the framework at Tuesday night’s council meeting, which it developed alongside its neighbouring Wyndham City Council and state government planning authorities in recent years.

COGG will ask the Planning Minister to include the ACS in the city’s planning scheme to legislate its controls and changes.

The planning document presented this week aims to protect the area’s cultural, landscape and environmental values while safeguarding transport links, significant infrastructure and the airport from urban interference.

The Victorian Planning Authority can also proceed with a Greater Avalon Employment Precinct for development of land in and around the airport.

Proposals include a $3.3 billion business park idea from developer MAB Corporation that is predicted to create up to 18,000 local jobs.

The Avalon Corridor covers an area of about 30,000 hectares between Geelong and Melbourne, including Little River and parts of Lara, and defines long-term urban sprawl boundaries.

The subject area includes significant assets including Avalon Airport, Melbourne Water Treatment Plan and environmental landscapes including RAMSAR-listed wetlands.

It also accounts for a future Bay West Port that is predicted to be built around the 2050s as a second major port to service Melbourne.

Deputy mayor Anthony Aitken welcomed the strategy, which he said was a major step forward for the city’s northern suburbs.

“It will significantly transform and protect our north and the jobs we do need to cater for the population growth Geelong is anticipated to have going forward.

“We welcome living next to the metropolis of Melbourne, but we don’t want to become part of it. We have our own identity… and this plan enshrines that.”

Cr Bruce Harwood said he backed the strategy and an ambitious expansion of Avalon Airport, which he said was a major opportunity for Geelong in coming decades to attract new employers and exporters.

“I don’t think we can underestimate or understate the importance to our region for employment and economics for the long-term future.”

Cr Eddy Kontelj said the plan highlighted the need to ensure strong transport links between Geelong and Melbourne to boost productivity.