G21 acknowledges and pays its respects to Wadawurrung, Gulidjan and Gadubanud Elders past, present and emerging.
We recognise their deep connection to the lands and waterways across the G21 region.
We acknowledge their custodianship for thousands of years, their advocacy and continuing care of country.
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Watch members of the G21 First Nations Pillar reflect on a regional voice below. G21 would like to express gratitude to the First Nations Pillar members who took the time to share their perspectives. Ricky Kildea, Dja Dja Wurrung Man Reece Dumbell, Minang Man Shane Gibbons, Murrawarri/Birpai Man Illona Rose Sliwa, Gunditjmara Woman […]
A year-long e-bike trial is being rolled out across Geelong to create a fun and easy sustainable travel option for students, residents and visitors across the city.
The Deakin University trial will see 200 distinctive green e-bikes available in multiple locations, including the Waterfront and Waurn Ponds campuses, with rental and access managed via the Lime app.
E-bikes will also be parked at locations such as Belmont’s Barwon Valley Activity Centre and certain bike hoops around Geelong. All parking locations are viewable through the app. The number of locations is expected to increase over time and include further park and ride locations, transit hubs, community facilities and local shopping centres.
The trial presents a unique opportunity to understand how the Geelong community moves around the city and measure their willingness to try new transport options to reduce reliance on private cars for short journeys.
This is important as we respond to the region’s unprecedented population growth and develop new ways to create a more liveable region.
Deakin will analyse the trial’s travel data to inform future use of e-bikes.
The Victorian Government has invested $460,000 to implement the Making Change: A Creative Industries Strategy for the G21 Region.
Launched in 2021 and developed by a consortium of the region’s leading creative, cultural and advocacy organisations, the strategy aims to strengthen and grow local creative industries and jobs – focusing on skills development, community engagement, cultural tourism and digital access.
This funding will support our creatives to design, sculpt, write, paint and stage new works across the region in a sector that’s going from strength to strength.
It will deliver the first stage of the strategy, including a First Nations engagement plan, professional development and networking opportunities for local creatives, and a digital directory of the region’s creative hubs.
It was wonderful to host Minister for Tourism and Creative Industries Steve Dimopoulos as well as our local champion Christine Couzens MP at the redeveloped Geelong Arts Centre to celebrate the announcement.
Congratulations to project partners Joel McGuinness Jennifer Cromarty Vanessa Schernickau Geelong Gallery Back to Back Theatre Ilana Russell Tim Stitz Tonya Meyrick
Read more here from James Taylor from Times News Group.
The Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail is a new world-class eco-tourism experience allowing visitors to explore from Torquay to Skenes Creek uninterrupted.
The Victorian Government has invested $25.5 million to plan and construct the trail between Fairhaven and Grey River, with the Federal Government contributing $350,000 for planning through the Geelong City Deal.
The 90-kilometre walking trail will traverse Gadubanud Country along the Otway coast, offering new breathtaking views from suspension bridges, some spanning over 160 metres, as well as camp sites, lookouts, boardwalks, river crossings, carparks and day visitor areas.
Once built, the 90km trail will provide options for a full seven-day, six-night hike from Fairhaven to Skenes Creek, day walks, half-day walks and shorter loop trails.
Improving infrastructure along the Great Ocean Road, and its hinterland is a priority under G21’s Visitor Economy project.
The trail will be a drawcard for Victoria. It’s anticipated the trail will attract more than 70,000 visitors a year, extend the length of stay for more than 200,000 people visiting the region in its first five years and delivering an extra $38 million in visitor expenditure.
Construction is expected to begin in 2023.
G21’s Mayors and CEO headed to Melbourne this week for a whistlestop tour of the Victorian Parliament where they hosted 15 very positive meetings with Ministers and Shadow Ministers over two days.
The catch up included conversations with Deputy Premier Jacinta Allen, Treasurer Tim Pallas, Minister for Water and Regional Development Harriet Shing, Transport Minister Ben Carroll, Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulos, local MP and member for Polwarth Richard Riordan, Shadow Minister for Local Government, Housing and Resources Peter Walsh (also Leader of The Nationals) and Bill Tilley, Shadow Minister for Regional Cities.
The region’s lack of affordable housing, key workers, public transport and active travel modes were hot topics with our state colleagues. Our mayors painted a detailed picture of the challenges and potential solutions, noting the Commonwealth Games were looming large as a significant deadline.
Although most state MPs are aware of our rapid population growth, most were surprised to hear that Surf Coast is Victoria’s fastest growing municipality (4.4% pa), that Golden Plains has Victoria’s fastest growing cohort of 5 to 11 year olds and Geelong’s new growth areas will soon be adding the equivalent of a city the size of Ballarat to the region.
The Spring St meetings follow a visit to Parliament House in Canberra where our five G21 council CEOs met with new departmental chiefs to outline the region’s needs and our desire to work closely with the new federal government.
G21 Mayors – Spring St delegation 2022
Day 1
Day 2
Who went?
Mayor Peter Murrihy of City of Greater Geelong
Mayor Libby Stapleton of Surf Coast Shire,
Mayor Gavin Gamble of Golden Plains Shire,
Mayor Kate Hanson of Colac Otway Shire,
Mayor Ross Ebbels, Borough of Queenscliffe
G21 CEO Giulia Baggio.
Wind deal pushes Barwon Water, Barwon Health, GeelongPort closer to net zero
Three of G21’s largest organisations are a step closer to using 100 per cent renewable electricity and producing net zero emissions with a new power purchase agreement with the Mount Gellibrand windfarm near Birregurra.
The 10-year deal with the Barwon Renewable Energy Partnership will see electricity produced at the farm sent to the grid, offsetting the energy used by Barwon Water, Barwon Health and GeelongPort.
Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter said she was thrilled to be working with Barwon Health and GeelongPort to support the region’s transition to renewable energy.
“Barwon Health and GeelongPort play such significant roles in our region and we’re proud to partner with them to enter into a long-term arrangement for the supply of renewable energy from a local provider.
“This project is the final step to meet Barwon Water’s target of using 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025, and a huge step towards Barwon Water’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2030. It is really exciting in terms of action on climate change, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work that has been done to get us there.”
Ms Slatter said that previously, more than 80 per cent of Barwon Water’s emissions came from the use of electricity sourced from the grid.
“The turbines at Mount Gellibrand Wind Farm will deliver Barwon Water 45 gigawatt-hours a year of renewable electricity – more than 100% of our total electricity needs in an ‘average year’ (and 75% in a very dry year).
“It will complement our existing on-site/behind-the-meter generation (such as the 3 megawatt Black Rock Solar Farm) and the Zero Emissions Water Power Purchase Agreement with Kiamal Solar Farm.”
Ms Slatter said the project would help contribute to Victoria’s renewable energy and emissions reduction targets and contribute to creating new jobs and further developing the renewable energy sector.
The Bannockburn Industrial Estate is set to expand, as work continues on its stormwater infrastructure project.
A new retarding basin and drainage pipe network is under construction on the land currently owned by Josco Pty Ltd to the south of the existing business park.
Once the stormwater infrastructure is constructed, more than 21 hectares of land will be made available for development at the estate on Holder Road, which currently has 35 lots across 12 hectares. Land in the light industrial precinct has previously been in demand, however expansion had not been possible due to the lack of drainage infrastructure to service the adjoining land.
It is hoping the stormwater solution will help spur business growth and encourage private sector investment within the 268.5 hectares of undeveloped land, as identified in the Bannockburn Growth Plan.
Implementation of the Bannockburn Growth Plan is an element of the G21 Regional Growth Areas Priority Project.
Funding for the $3.1 million infrastructure project comes from a $2 million State Government grant and an extra $1.1 million from Josco Pty Ltd.
Let’s Build the Surf Coast Cultural Centre!
Show your support and send a message to local politicians
Surf Coast Shire Council is encouraging community members to email MPs and candidates via its web portal to highlight what the Surf Coast Cultural Centre would mean for the community.
Surf Coast Shire Council hopes a surge of community support will help secure funding for the new Surf Coast Cultural Centre planned for Torquay.
The centre will provide new and expanded homes for the Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay Library and Torquay Visitor Information Centre, integrating with the redeveloped Multi Arts Centre, MAC.
The Surf Coast Cultural Centre will help drive recovery from the pandemic by helping a tourism sector hit hard by restricted travel.
It will provide a new and invigorating hub for one of regional Australia’s most creative regional communities, and a place for lifelong learning and social connections while celebrating the region’s First Nations cultural history and proud surfing heritage.
Surf Coast Shire has approved concept plans and a business case for a two-stage development of the centre.
Stage one, anticipated to start in 2024, will cost $36.8 million and includes an expanded surfing museum with its internationally-significant collection, expanded library and visitor centre, café, and rehearsal and maker spaces, with the new building integrating with the existing redeveloped Multi Arts Centre, MAC.
Surf Coast Shire has committed $8 million as well as the site, and is actively pursuing state and federal government grants and pledges to attract the $29 million needed to commence stage one.
Stage two of the project is expected to start in 2030 and cost $20 million, involving construction of a new 250-seat studio and purpose built gallery with technical and backstage areas for performers.
A completed project will bring lasting economic benefit, injecting an additional $173 million in direct and indirect economic impact in the Great Ocean Road region, supporting more than 750 longer term jobs.
Earlier this week the Fyansford Common came alive with a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and Wadawurrung storytelling, as the Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut – Place of many stories project and masterplan development was launched.
Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut is an initiative to increase the visitor experience of the unique environmental, cultural, and recreational values of the Barwon and Moorabool Rivers and is one of the actions supported by the Victorian Government through the Rivers of the Barwon (Barre Warre Yulluk) Action Plan.
The project encompasses an extensive corridor of river frontage on Wadawurrung Country, including the internationally recognised Lake Connewarre wetlands and the spectacular Barwon River estuary. Kitjarra- dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut is the Wadawurrung name for the project previously known as the Barwon River Parklands.
The natural assets of project area and its ongoing enjoyment are increasingly under threat from rapid growth in population, tourism pressures and changes in environmental conditions. Alongside these threats, fragmented management across the Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto langi-ut complicates and delays efforts of responsible bodies to implement improvements to visitor experience, connectivity and natural amenity.
The Masterplan is an opportunity to increase amenity and public access to the unique environmental, cultural and recreational values along this important river corridor.
The project is a partnership between the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Corangamite CMA, along with a number of state government agencies and local governments.
The Victorian Government provided $1.65 million in funding for the development and partial implementation of the masterplan.
Golden Plains Youth Hub has officially opened and is set to support improved health, social, education and employment outcomes for young people.
Located next to Bannockburn YMCA and across from Bannockburn P-12 College, the youth hub has undergone a significant exterior and interior renovation to create a purpose-built, accessible and inclusive youth facility that will help provide stronger connections between the local community and services young people need.
The hub has been a priority project for G21 which has helped to advocate for a revamped space to build a strong, resilient youth culture connected to its community.
After several come and try sessions held last month, the hub will now hold regular activities, and serve as a meeting space for the Youth Activation Committee, the Pride LGBTIQA+ group, and the FReeZa Youth Events Crew.
The youth hub was funded with over $271,000 from the State Government, $100,00 from the Federal Government alongside $100,000 from Bannockburn and District Grants and over $90,000 in-kind contribution from Golden Plains Shire.
G21 acknowledges our region’s Traditional Owners, the Wadawarrung and Eastern Maar people who have cared for this land for thousands of years. Sharing the beauty and joy of these lands and waterways is a privilege; we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future.
G21 welcomes people of an ability, culture, religion, sex, gender, sexuality and age.
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