{"id":97039,"date":"2024-05-17T04:35:42","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T18:35:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/?p=97039"},"modified":"2024-05-16T18:37:41","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T08:37:41","slug":"supporting-our-leading-regional-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/supporting-our-leading-regional-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting our leading regional city"},"content":{"rendered":"

THERE are many things that make a city great.<\/p>\n

These include a strong community spirit where individuals feel willing and able to get behind their causes, a thriving local business group that supports the economy, and a burgeoning creative scene where creatives are enabled and celebrated.<\/p>\n

Geelong has all these things, and on Council we have a responsibility to continue to invest in our community groups, local businesses, and the arts so Geelong maintains and develops its reputation as a leading regional city.<\/p>\n

In our proposed newly released four-year budget, we have allocated funds to do just that.<\/p>\n

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, so I’m thrilled that Council is moving to decrease commercial rates by an average of 5 per cent.<\/p>\n

This will lead to a fall of around $245.72 to an average of $4,668.65 each year.<\/p>\n

Informed by community and business sector feedback, we have been refining our Rating & Revenue Plan over the years.<\/p>\n

By aligning the Commercial and Industrial rate classes and bringing their rate in the dollar closer to the residential rate, we can provide some relief to local businesses.<\/p>\n

This decision demonstrates that we are keen to attract new business and investment in the region.<\/p>\n

There is also extra funding in 2024-25 to support community-led projects, with the Community Grants allocation lifted by $431,000 to just under $4.48 million.<\/p>\n

The value of these kinds of grants was so clearly highlighted to me last Friday when I had the privilege of attending the relaunch of a restored Montague Whaler at the Western Beach Boat Club, made possible by a $10,000 grant from the City of Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n

This is exactly what we aim for with our grants program \u2013 preserving history, bringing the community together, and giving people the chance to learn new skills.<\/p>\n

These boats played a significant role in the past, used by the Navy and as landing craft at Gallipoli.<\/p>\n

There are only a few seaworthy Montague Whalers left in Australia and New Zealand, and the Western Beach Boat Club’s efforts in restoring the boat are to be commended.<\/p>\n

The whaler will not only serve as a symbol of our maritime heritage but also help people learn and engage in the art of rowing.<\/p>\n

Also in the proposed budget to help support and stimulate our local hospitality industry, is a 50 per cent reduction on all al fresco dining and busking fees on 2023-24 levels.<\/p>\n

Our community’s vision for Greater Geelong is that we will be internationally recognised as a clever and creative city-region by 2024.<\/p>\n

To get there, we need to encourage creatives of all kinds, including our wonderfully talented street performers.<\/p>\n

The decision to reduce busking fees emphasises this commitment and I’m proud that we can make busking more accessible.<\/p>\n

As always, if you have any inquiries about Council related matters, please feel free to contact me on ekontelj@geelongcity.vic.gov.au<\/a> and I will endeavour to help.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cr Eddy Kontelj<\/p>\n

Brownbill Ward,<\/p>\n

City of Greater Geelong<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THERE are many things that make a city great. These include a strong community spirit where individuals feel willing and able to get behind their causes, a thriving local business group that supports the economy, and a burgeoning creative scene where creatives are enabled and celebrated. Geelong has all these things, and on Council we […]<\/p>\n

Read More…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":149,"featured_media":97042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-97039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSupporting our leading regional city - Geelong Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/supporting-our-leading-regional-city\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Supporting our leading regional city - Geelong Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"THERE are many things that make a city great. 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