A line has been drawn on growth in Torquay’s Spring Creek valley, with the area to remain outside the town’s protected settlement boundary in the final Statement of Planning Policy (SPP) for the long-awaited Surf Coast Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL) program.

The SPP is based on expert advice and was developed in collaboration with the Traditional Owners the Wadawurrung, the local community, the Surf Coast Shire, the City of Greater Geelong, responsible public entities and government agencies.

Ensuring prized Surf Coast landscapes and environmental features are protected from inappropriate development, the SPP outlines protected settlement boundaries for Torquay-Jan Juc, Bellbrae and Breamlea.

The protected settlement boundaries confine most new development to activity centres, tourism precincts and designated settlement areas where growth and more housing is appropriate.

Growth in greenfield areas will be restricted, protecting areas of high biodiversity value, Aboriginal cultural heritage, state-significant landscapes and township character.

The Spring Creek area is outside the protected settlement boundary, forming a vital part of the important green break between Torquay–Jan Juc and Bellbrae.

These planning controls are in line with public comment received by G21 during its extensive consultation when developing the 2013 G21 Regional Growth Plan and will protect the coastal villages and towns that make our region unique.

Construction is underway on the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub (NACH) project in Norlane. This is a major milestone in the progress of the landmark community facility that has the capacity to change lives and outcomes for the residents in Geelong’s northern suburbs.

Co-located with Barwon Health North, there will be a unique opportunity for the NACH to produce state-of-the-art aquatic and fitness facilities along with complementary health and wellbeing services.

Contractor Kane Constructions has started clearing the ageing Centenary Hall site.

The major community facility will feature a 25 metre pool, hydrotherapy pool, Learn to Swim pool, water play area, water slide, spa, sauna, and steam room, gym, program rooms, occasional care facilities, cafe and 1000sq metre of multipurpose community space.

The NACH is anticipated to attract 600,000 visits every year, providing $111 million in preventative health benefits during its first decade of operation alone.

This is a long-term G21 priority under its Addressing Disadvantage project. It will also support future growth and demand in the Northern Geelong growth corridor.

Construction of the NACH is expected to start early this year and will be finished by late 2023. It will be delivered through $44.84 million from the City of Greater Geelong, a $8.5 million commitment from the state government and $8.262 million in federal funding.

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2023.

It has been an exciting fortnight for clean energy investment in G21 with three major projects getting underway. The Big Battery at Moorabool was turned on, approval was granted for the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere and GeelongPort showed ambition and leadership by announcing a $100m investment in a new green hydrogen hub.

Big projects such as these are making it clear to Australia and the world that G21 is open for business and is actively seeking partners to invest in a decarbonised economy.

Big Battery switched on

The Big Battery at Moorabool has been switched on to safeguard the power supply as the state heads towards a fully decarbonised economy by 2050. The 300-megawatt battery is one of the world’s largest. Energy Minister Lily D’ambrosio said 80 per cent of its capacity would be reserved for moments when the state’s power supply was under high stress, when it would be able to power more than 650,000 homes for an hour.

More: https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/in-a-field-near-geelong-switch-flicked-on-australia-s-biggest-battery-20211208-p59fq8.html

GeelongPort announces $100 million facility to produce and export green hydrogen

GeelongPort is expanding its current operations to establish the Geelong Hydrogen Hub, a production and distribution facility for Green Hydrogen that will accelerate Victoria’s transition to a clean energy future. Having partnered with CAC-H2 as the Hub’s foundation green hydrogen developer, GeelongPort is seeking further expressions of interest from energy manufacturers and retailers and local businesses. GeelongPort recently became Australia’s first bulk port to receive carbon neutral certification.

More: https://geelongport.com.au/development/geelong-hydrogen-hub/

Golden Plains Wind Farm gets final nod

Construction on the biggest wind farm in the southern hemisphere will start in Victoria next year after the state’s Planning Minister gave the final tick of approval to the $2 billion facility.

The site at Rokewood will be home to more than 200 turbines and cover 167 square kilometres. The construction phase is expected to bring 700 jobs to the area.

Under the plan, WestWind will give annual payments to neighbours, starting at $1000 per turbine to those who live within two kilometres of them.

More: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/state-to-host-biggest-wind-farm-in-southern-hemisphere-as-turbines-win-final-approval-20211124-p59bnm.html

With a federal election looming, the G21 board of directors held a series of zoom meetings with senior government ministers and shadow ministers, advocating for current and future regional needs.

High on the agenda was GeelongPort and the essential infrastructure required to support the Spirit of Tasmania’s relocation to Geelong.

Meetings canvassed regional roads, rail and active transport, affordable and key worker housing and rebuilding the visitor economy post-COVID.

The delegation also sought assurance that the government is on track to deliver on the City Deal’s implementation timeline, acknowledging that while the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal and Apollo Bay Harbour are underway, there has been no official progress on the Geelong Convention Centre.

The delegation was timely, with work on the next federal budget underway in Canberra and an election due in the new year.