Geelong City Deal Accelerates as AUD 676 Million Push Reshapes Region Beyond Its Industrial Roots
The 10-year, AUD $676 million Geelong City Deal, a joint initiative between Australia’s federal government, the Victorian state government and the local council, delivered with key partners, is set to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road, one of Australia’s most famous coastal drives. The aim is to boost tourism, create employment and, more importantly, improve the lives of Geelong’s current and future residents.
As the Geelong City Deal kicks into high gear in transforming this regional city, located about an hour southwest of Melbourne, a bold new economic shift is developing on the horizon that pulls Geelong further away from its industrial roots.
The City Deal brings together a partnership like never before, as three levels of government pool resources to fund not just crucial infrastructure, but also to enhance the region aesthetically and turn Geelong into a top tourist destination within the next decade.
The current outlook of the region, where heavy construction machines are seen everywhere, is all about this transformation, and the surge in civil works has made excavator hire in Geelong a busy trade as builders and contractors keep pace with project demand. Public spaces and urban centres are also getting makeovers to match primary target locations such as the Waterfront Growth precinct.
The iconic waterfront is currently receiving upgrades that are bound to attract both domestic and international holidaymakers in due time, and it is expected to rival Melbourne as a tourist destination within a decade. Coupled with the enhancement of civic spaces in and around Central Geelong, this will further position Geelong as a top ‘relocation destination’ for not just people, but also businesses, which will see even more capital injected into the region.
Although the economic shift is seemingly focused on boosting tourism, there is more to it than meets the eye. While the emphasis of the initiative lies heavily on making the entire stretch from Geelong to the Shipwreck Coast, a rugged section of coastline known for its historic shipwrecks, a popular tourist destination, funding is also being directed into projects that will be crucial to diversifying industries beyond traditional manufacturing.
The benefits will grow gradually as spending by the millions of travellers who pass through these regions annually is redirected into niche industries in coastal hubs. For example, the upgrade of the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal will not only improve travel flow, but also enhance visitor experiences, encouraging visitors to spend a little more in the area, which in turn acts as an incentive for locals to start up or maintain their businesses.
The same could be said of the harbour redevelopments in the seaside towns of Apollo Bay and Lorne, where the current ongoing upgrades are focused on modernising local coastal amenities.
The long-term impact of the current ongoing projects is set to improve the quality of life for the entire region. It is undeniable that the population of Geelong has grown and continues to grow.
Once these projects are complete, local businesses are set to benefit from increased foot traffic that will ‘bump up’ revenues for retail and dining zones.
This will in turn increase employment options, creating a cycle of growth that keeps the regional economy moving.