{"id":128701,"date":"2026-03-19T10:18:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T23:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/?p=128701"},"modified":"2026-03-20T16:01:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T05:01:19","slug":"new-report-urges-action-to-drive-geelong-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/new-report-urges-action-to-drive-geelong-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"New report urges action, not discussion, to drive Geelong growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new report from KPMG says the Geelong region\u2019s business environment<\/a> needs coordinated action, not more discussion, to support growth across the state, interstate and internationally.<\/p>\n

Launched on Tuesday this week at KMPG\u2019s Geelong office, the Geelong Growth Horizon report is subtitled \u201cMaking Geelong irresistible to growth so our businesses, our city and our region prosper\u201d.<\/p>\n

It is based on data collected from 113 responses to a KPMG Geelong survey and a forum with 40 local business leaders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

KPMG also interviewed business leaders in some of Australia\u2019s regional cities and smaller capital cities as well as international cities such as Daejeon, South Korea; Gothenburg, Sweden; Glasgow and Birmingham in the UK; Hamilton, Canada; and Austin and New Orleans in the USA.<\/p>\n

Almost half (49 per cent) of the Geelong-based businesses surveyed said they were looking at interstate growth opportunities while 25 percent said they had their sights on overseas markets.<\/p>\n

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L-R: KPMG Geelong geographic lead Paul Robson, KPMG Geelong associate director Matthew Fletcher and KPMG Geelong risk consulting and advisory partner Claire Richards launch the report. at KPMG’s Geelong office.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Geelong Growth Horizon acknowledges in its early pages that it contains several of the same themes identified in KMPG\u2019s Geelong Economic Blueprint<\/a> from 2023 and last year\u2019s Geelong Risk Landscape reports: talent constraints, fragmented external identity, regulatory friction, infrastructure activation and limited market visibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat has changed is tolerance,\u201d the report states. \u201cBusinesses are no longer prepared to accept limited movement and continued discussion. They want concrete actions that help them grow, compete and expand beyond the region.\u201d<\/p>\n

KPMG Geelong risk consulting and advisory partner Claire Richards said: \u201cGeelong already has many of the assets other cities spent years assembling: a diversified economy, advanced manufacturing capability, globally relevant research, strong education institutions, a deep-water port, Avalon Airport, and proximity to national and international supply chains.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is missing is not capability, but coordination at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n

The report lists seven factors that can shape the Geelong region\u2019s growth:<\/p>\n