Calls for government to get onboard with funding

G21 GEELONG Region Alliance is calling for urgent upgrades to the Corio Quay Road ahead of the Spirit of Tasmania’s anticipated arrival in 2022.

The group has joined with the Committee for Geelong, GeelongPort, the City of Greater Geelong, Tourism Greater Geelong and Bellarine, Geelong Chamber of Commerce and Geelong Manufacturing Council in advocating for state and federal funding to be allocated for the project.

Upgrades including the installation of traffic lights to increase accessibility to the Port are being pushed by the groups for grant funding.

The Geelong Manufacturing Council’s chair Lyn George said support from the government is necessary.

“Upgrades to the roads near the dock would be essential for the onshore effectiveness of the ferry service, as well as to provide benefits to the manufacturers that rely on the port as an essential service,” she said.

The Spirit of Tasmania’s relocation is anticipated to bring an additional $57.3 million to Geelong’s tourism industry by 2030.

G21 CEO Giulia Baggio said the relocation of the ferry terminal from Port Melbourne’s Station Pier to Geelong was a “tremendous” opportunity to grow the tourism industry across the state.

“A safe and welcoming gateway for visitors arriving in Geelong will play an important part in helping our hospitality, accommodation and events businesses get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” she said.

The major project has already received $135 million investment from GeelongPort to build the 12-hectare terminal and freight facility that will accommodate the Spirit of Tasmania.

CEO of GeelongPort, Brett Winter, said the relocation will benefit Victoria’s tourism sector through an increased expenditure of $174.1 million by 2030.

“This presents a terrific opportunity for the Federal Government to back tourism businesses to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with a project that will turbo charge tourism in the Geelong region,” he said.

Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine executive director Brett Ince said the shift would provide a gateway from the region to the rest of Victoria.

“The relocation and investment to upgrade the precinct will continue to raise Geelong and The Bellarine’s profile as a world class inclusive destination,” he said.