Two G21 municipalities have declared a housing crisis in response to the lack of affordable accommodation for key workers in towns along the Great Ocean Road.

Colac Otway Shire councillors voted to declare a ‘key and essential worker housing crisis’ as a lack of affordable housing starts to significantly impact on the region.

Pressure is being felt across the whole community with essential service providers such as doctors, teachers and police unable to take up work Colac Otway.

The shortage is also affecting economic activity with small businesses unable to open their doors, as they struggle to find workers.

There is a need for a diverse mix of rental and market housing suitable for professional services workers, hospitality and seasonal workers, and timber and meat industry workers.

Apollo Bay and other coastal towns offering a long-distance commute, are at particular risk due to their remoteness and a growing trend for short-term rental of properties on platforms like Air BnB.

An investment in more affordable, safe, secure housing stock in these areas will help grow their permanent populations, accommodate seasonal workers during peak tourism periods and provide a more stable local economy.

Colac Otway Shire is already making preparations to build social and key worker housing in Colac and address the shortage in coastal towns. Council will deliver a report on proposed solutions for the coming summer.

Surf Coast Shire faces a similar challenge and declared a ‘key worker accommodation crisis’ in May.

Tourist hotspot Lorne was used as a case study for the municipality, demonstrating the effects of a high turnover of staff, a lack of international backpacker and student workforce (95 per cent of Lorne’s seasonal workforce) and lack of suitable accommodation.

Businesses there are reducing their trading hours or closing for days at a time due to a lack of staff, which is reducing the quality of the visitor experience.

One business in Lorne said the nearest accommodation option for staff is in Armstrong Creek, which also has high demand and prices. It is not viewed as a long-term option given the late hours in hospitality and the long commute time.

Surf Coast Shire has allocated $60,000 for an Action Plan to explore ways to address the issue.

There is an opportunity here for all three levels of government to put together a creative solution in collaboration with the private sector, and not just for our region.

Other regions in Victoria and nationally are experiencing the same pinch and the problem looks like it will be with us for a while.

The STREETFACE project, featuring photos and stories of nine residents from across the G21 region, demonstrates how movement provides a wealth of health and wellbeing benefits, both physical and emotional.

The project shines a light on older members of our community who have experienced a life transition.

From Josie’s story of moving from farmland to suburbia without knowing anyone, to Bob’s experience of open-heart surgery and lymphoma, each of the real-life stories provides insights to encourage others to find resilience and empowerment through physical activity to improve health and wellbeing.

City of Greater Geelong mayor and G21 chair Cr Stephanie Asher said it was great to see STREETFACE bringing awareness to another important campaign.

“Each year, STREETFACE reinforces the adage that every person has a story. Through the compelling personal narratives, we also learn some common threads and universal truths that help us to take care of our own health and wellbeing,” Cr Asher said.

“It’s exciting to see this year’s STREETFACE become a partnership with neighbouring councils, G21 and others working together to raise awareness for active living in our community.

“I encourage anyone out and about to stop by the nine locations and read the stories told by each community member.”

G21 Health & Wellbeing Director Zoe Barnett said the STREETFACE project builds on the work of/ complements G21’s Healthier Eating and Active Living (HEAL) initiative.

“It’s so important to support people, particularly the older people in our community, to remain physically active,” Ms Barnett said.

“It’s inspiring to showcase the lived experience of people in our region already benefiting from being out there and active, celebrating their achievements and reminding everyone that physical activity goes a long way towards good mental and physical health and wellbeing.”

The large STREETFACE decals went on display in late June and will stay until Friday 27 August at the following Greater Geelong locations:

• City Hall
• Bus Port
• Geelong West Town Hall
• Leisurelink
• Bellarine Community Health, Portarlington
• Civic Centre car park; and
• Grovedale Neighbourhood House.

A STREETFACE decal will also be displayed at Kanyana Seniors Centre in the Colac Otway Shire.

As part of STREETFACE this year, community members are also encouraged to take part in the online survey, which includes a series of questions on this year’s project and theme (before 25 August 2021).

The current project has brought together G21 – Geelong Region Alliance, the City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Barwon Health, Dementia Australia, Bellarine Community Health and Humans in Geelong.

STREETFACE started in 2009 as a City of Greater Geelong project, with previous campaigns recognising NAIDOC Week, Refugee Week, the VALiD Having a Say Conference and National Youth Week.

Read the stories of each of the nine STREETFACE participants by visiting humansingeelong.com
To download a PDF of the stories of the nine STREETFACE participants click here

The state government has announced the Board for Victoria’s new state-wide ports body, Ports Victoria, to be based in Geelong.

Howard Ronaldson will chair the new body, with former G21 CEO Elaine Carbines as deputy chair.

Ports Victoria brings together the Victorian Regional Channels Authority (VRCA) and Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) to lead the strategic management and operation of Victorian commercial ports and waterways.

Mr Ronaldson brings extensive experience to the role as a former secretary of the Victorian Department of Infrastructure and Department of Business and Innovation. He has also been an administrator with Ambulance Victoria and most recently assessed the viability of the Port Rail Shuttle proposal for the Department of Transport.

Elaine Carbines has been chosen as deputy chairperson due to her strong regional leadership and the ability to provide critical knowledge of Geelong and the Barwon region.

Other members appointed to the board include Des Powell AM, Janice van Reyk and Peter Tuohey, with all members to work alongside the Department of Transport.

The new organisation will begin operating out of Geelong on 1 July, recognising the city’s important role in Victoria’s ports system – through GeelongPort and the future relocation of the Spirit of Tasmania.

Approximately $26 billion of locally produced and manufactured exports pass through Victoria’s commercial ports annually, handling almost a quarter of Australia’s total food and fibre exports.

With freight volumes expected to more than double over the next thirty years, the safe and efficient operation of our ports remains key to our state’s economic growth.

The establishment of Ports Victoria is a key finding from the Independent Review of the Victorian Ports System, a comprehensive review set to cut red tape, boost safety and improve the way this vital industry operates.

Source: A state government media release

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2021 is ‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action’.

We at G21 support reconciliation and acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we stand and live. We particularly acknowledge the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar people of the G21 region and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures and futures.

In 2021 we mark 20 years of the Reconciliation Australia movement and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.

Click here to find out more about National Reconciliation Week.

#MoreThanAWord  #NRW2021

G21 welcomes the 2021 State Budget with partial funding secured for the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub in Norlane, an ambulance station at Armstrong Creek, a hospital for Torquay, a children’s emergency department at Geelong hospital, a significant outlay on mental health services, a family violence court and money for road and rail improvements.

G21 and Give Where You Live’s pioneering GROW program received $3 million for a statewide expansion.

The state budget has responded to a number of important priorities put forward by our region. The $3.8 billion investment in mental health is especially welcome after a difficult year for many people managing multiple pressures brought on by the pandemic.

A number of new and increased taxes will fund the mental health package and contribute to debt reduction. However, with the G21 region’s growth being driven by an increasing population, housing and construction, it is unclear what effect the changes in stamp duty, land tax, and the new re-zoning windfall tax will have on the region’s economic development.

G21 will have a watching brief on the impact of changes to these taxes. It will be important not to stifle strong private investment in the region which is creating jobs in our post COVID recovery.

Locally, the impact will be mitigated by a cut to payroll tax and stamp duty for commercial and industrial property in regional Victoria, aimed at easing the burden on businesses as they continue to get back on their feet.

Despite an $8.5 million contribution, the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub in Norlane has been left well short of its funding target with a significant amount still required to turn it into a reality for the local community, which is crying out for health and wellbeing services.

It’s disappointing to see one of our most disadvantaged communities missing out again on full funding for a vital infrastructure project that has the potential to make a real difference to their daily lives.

The rapidly growing G21 region also missed out on funding for new schools, with investment focused only on Melbourne’s outer metro suburbs.

There was no funding for urgently needed road upgrades around GeelongPort to enable safe car, bus and freight access to the Spirit of Tasmania which is due to relocate to Geelong in 2022.

The region is also waiting on a decision on the location and funding arrangements for a quarantine facility which could potentially see the safe return of international students.

 Mental and general health

$20 million has been allocated for a dedicated children’s emergency department at Geelong, and Torquay will receive a new community hospital.

The Budget will fund 20 local adult and older adult mental health and wellbeing services across Victoria for people with mild to moderate mental health challenges, including one in Geelong. A youth prevention and recovery care unit will be funded in the Barwon South West region.

Geelong will also receive funding from the Good Money program to deliver safe and affordable financial services through shop fronts. The service will deliver no-interest and low-interest loans, low-cost insurance and financial advice to individuals and households facing financial stress.

Preventing family violence

The Budget includes an additional $354 million to improve safety for women and children as well as a specialist family violence court in Geelong, which the G21 has been calling for.

Roads, rail and community infrastructure

Funding is provided for a number of upgrades on regional roads to improve network efficiency and road safety and to plan the development of high-priority projects, including Bellarine Link Stage 1, improved traffic flows at Barwon Heads and upgrades to the Surf Coast Highway.

$40 million allocated to the first stage of the previously announced Geelong Fast Rail project to reduce Melbourne-Geelong travel times to 50 minutes.

$94m for nine-carriage high-capacity VLocity trains for the Wyndham Vale and Melton corridors

Work on rail upgrades will also continue, with funding for:

• Geelong line upgrade – Armstrong Creek (Waurn Ponds duplication) – $9.488M
• Waurn Ponds track duplication (Stage 2) – $43.87M
• Warrnambool and Geelong line upgrade – $31.863M
• Warrnambool and Geelong line upgrade (stage 2) – $37.196M

While investment in these projects is welcome, the region’s lack of public transport remains a serious concern. As one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, congestion and lack of cross-regional transport options will increasingly constrain economic growth and social connection.

$2.21 million will flow to the Revitalising Central Geelong capital works program in the Geelong CBD.  The Geelong Authority also received funds towards the delivery of the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan.

The Geelong City Deal received $64.5 million for 2021-22.  The Point Grey redevelopment as part of the Geelong City Deal will receive $5.6 million (with $4.4M the following year).

The redevelopment of Kardinia Park Stadium Stage 5 will receive $34.8 million, while Kardinia Park Stadium Trust will get $3.9 million.

There was $4.46m for the newly created Great Ocean Road authority.

Education, Skills & jobs

The Budget will fund a new Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, with seven regional learning centres, including one in Geelong.

Geelong is a natural location for an Academy as we are home to major education institutions such as Deakin University and The Gordon, as well as leading government and private schools in the region.

An additional $1 billion in the Budget to support skills and training, including an extra 80,000 free TAFE and training places will be welcome to industries across the G21 region with The Gordon well-placed to help provide those places.

The Budget includes job support of around $619 million in subsidies and assistance for those most impacted by the pandemic, including young people and women without a formal qualification.

Tourism

In line with the government’s intention to transition the current Regional Tourism Boards over to new Visitor Economy Partnerships, $8.8 million was included in the Budget to support this move.

The aim is to better resource these Boards to undertake marketing and development activities across regional Victoria.  This will impact both the Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine and Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism bodies.

$55 million was allocated to Visit Victoria for interstate marketing, as well as $633 million announced previously to support the government’s Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan. 

The Arts

The Budget gave recognition that regional communities across Victoria underpin the reputation of our Creative State with a $288 million investment to creative industries in regional communities.

There was $6.3 million funding for Geelong Arts Centre to allow them to commit to local artists, local stories and supporting diverse communities through the work we program. It will also allow them flexibility and nimbleness in the delivery of visitor experiences during the redevelopment and will enable the Arts Centre to imagine and deliver a bold and ambitious program now and in the future.

The Budget provides $4.5 million for content development and touring programs generated by regional and outer metropolitan communities.

G21 region creatives will have access to $11 million for the Music Works program to support musicians, support staff, venues, and allied organisations to accelerate the recovery and growth of Victoria’s music scene.  G21 region filmmakers will also have access to $121 million allocated to the Victorian screen industry.

The Geelong Arts Centre remains at the heart of G21’s Geelong’s Cultural Precinct priority project.  Funds of $70.841 million were allocated in 2021-22 towards the ongoing $140 million Stage 3 redevelopment of the GAC complex.

Sport & recreation

Victoria’s regional Councils and clubs will have the opportunity to access some of the $70.6 million of the state’s allocated funding to support the development of community sporting clubs, sports infrastructure and women and girls in sport.

$55m million has been allocated to deliver new and improved sports infrastructure through funding opportunities with a particular focus on driving participation opportunities for women and girls by providing more female-friendly facilities.

In the G21 region, AFL Barwon anticipates an additional 2091 female participants by 2025 (84 teams) with currently only 43 per cent of the regions AFL facilities being gender-neutral or female-friendly.

A further $50 million will provide a boost to the Growing Suburbs Fund, delivering the local projects that matter to local communities in interface and peri-urban areas that include several G21 region municipalities.

Broad infrastructure categories eligible for funding include community health and well-being and sport, recreation and leisure facilities that have dedicated community space and support multi-use purposes.

Note: This Budget analysis was issued on 21 May 2021. The G21 media release issued on the day of the Budget (20 May) can be found in the Resources section of this website.