G21 welcomes Infrastructure Victoria’s 30 year strategy 2021-2051 which has identified $100 billion worth of projects and made 94 recommendations for the state government to consider.
The strategy, first launched in 2016, has been updated after an intensive consultation period across the state and will continue to be updated every five years. It includes an emphasis on climate change adaptation and mitigation, digital connectivity and ongoing transport investment.
There’s a tailored profile of the Barwon region (which includes all G21 municipalities except Golden Plains Shire).
Unsurprisingly the strategy nominates a range of local transport improvements and strongly recommends building the Melbourne Metro 2 rail connection which would deliver Geelong commuters more quickly to Southern Cross Station via a tunnel from Newport to Fisherman’s Bend.
Other Barwon region recommendations include:
- Delivering infrastructure for a more responsive, integrated mental health system
- Enhancing water security
- Phasing in electric vehicles
- Addressing the region’s digital connectivity gaps in the next five years and funding regional libraries to provide better internet access
- Better connection of Barwon’s businesses with processors and markets
- Upgrading of power supply for agriculture and regional industry
- Improving the region’s freight networks
- Constructing the outer metropolitan road and rail corridor to link the Port of Geelong and Avalon Airport to the freight and logistics sector in Melbourne’s west
- Investing in protection and adaptation for Victoria’s coasts
- Supporting a recovery in regional tourism
- Planning for and facilitating regional nature-based tourism investments
- Developing a Victorian Aboriginal tourism strategy with Aboriginal communities
- Facilitating regional recycling industries
- Strengthening end markets for recycled materials
- Creating climate-adapted facilities for rural communities
- Expanding social housing in regional centres
“Every Victorian deserves good access to jobs, services, and public transport whether they live in Mildura, Middle Park, Melton or Mallacoota”, said Infrastructure Victoria CEO Michel Masson (not to mention alliteration).
“Victoria faces some big challenges over the next three decades including a growing and ageing population, technological transformation, a warming climate and worsening congestion on our transport network,” Mr Masson said.
Under legislation, the Victorian Government is required to respond to the strategy’s recommendations and deliver an integrated five year infrastructure plan within 12 months.
