The CBD’s bright future

GEELONG’S CBD is at a crossroads.

As one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities, we have enormous potential, but we also face complex challenges that require bold and strategic thinking.

There is no single solution or quick fix that will magically transform our city centre – this is a multifaceted issue that demands a holistic and collaborative approach.

This Tuesday’s Central Geelong Revitalisation Forum was a defining moment for our city.

It brought together the key players who shape the future of our CBD – developers, investors, landowners, town planners, urban engineers, advocacy groups and representatives from all three levels of government – in one room with a shared purpose.

It was an opportunity to tackle the barriers that have held back development in central Geelong and to set a clear direction for the future.

Since being elected mayor just over 100 days ago, this forum has been my top priority.

Working toward making our CBD great again is what motivated me to re-run for council and I am determined to lead a united vision that will transform the heart of our city.

Geelong has so much to offer, and despite the challenges we face, I firmly believe our city centre has an incredibly bright future.

One of the most exciting opportunities ahead is the imminent completion of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

This world-class facility will bring tens of thousands – perhaps even hundreds of thousands – of people to our city each year.

However, despite our region’s growth, our city centre lags in population growth when compared to other major urban centres along Australia’s eastern coast.

The Victorian government has set an ambitious target of nearly 140,000 new homes in Greater Geelong by 2051, and we simply cannot meet this goal by continuing to build outwards and creating new estates.

If we want a thriving, modern city, we need to embrace higher density living and invest in mixed-use developments within the CBD.

Gone are the days when retail alone can sustain a city centre.

If we want to breathe new life into Geelong’s CBD, we need to support mixed residential-commercial developments at key sites, such as Market Square, to transform the culture of central Geelong.

We need to create an environment where people live, work, socialise and invest in the city – not just visit occasionally.

This transformation won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen without significant investment in transport, infrastructure and public spaces.

This is a challenge that requires all levels of government, the private sector and the broader community to work together.

Council and I don’t have all the answers, which is why I convened this forum.

Everyone in the room had invaluable insights and ideas to contribute – as demonstrated by the breadth and depth of discussion.

I sincerely thank everyone who contributed – it is through collaboration that we will unlock the true potential of our city.

The path to revitalising Geelong’s CBD might be a long one but with a shared vision and strong leadership, we can build a city centre that reflects the vibrancy of our growing region.

Cr Stretch Kontelj

Mayor,

City of Greater Geelong