Deakin to lead on water science research

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A trio of projects worth $22.1 million and funded in part by the state government will position Deakin University at the forefront of water and aquaculture research and push the boundaries of water sustainability in Australia.

Victoria’s Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney today (23 April 2021) visited the Marine Science Centre at Queenscliff to launch the projects as part of the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund (VHESIF).

They include both capital works and applied research:

  • A new $9.8 million state-of-the-art AquaFI Hub innovation centre to explore animal nutrition and the environment to support the expansion of fish and seafood farming, run in part by AI technology.
  • A $7.8 million water management upgrade at the Waurn Ponds campus, including upgraded stormwater and recycled water infrastructure, for applied research and to demonstrate sustainable practices in management in collaboration with Traditional Owners.
  • A $4.5 million redevelopment of the Marine Science Centre at Queenscliff to establish it as the centre of excellence for temperate water marine science research and education in southern Australia. Works include new laboratories, teaching facilities and a high-speed optic fibre internet network for the community.

Deakin University, the Victorian Government through its VHESIF, and project partners AARNet (Australia’s Academic and Research Network), City of Greater Geelong and Barwon Water, will support the projects.

The projects will provide opportunities for staff and students, in collaboration with Traditional Owners. It will also boost enrolments and create scholarship opportunities, 50 per cent of which will be offered to women.

Melbourne-based Root Partnerships will oversee construction, which will begin this year and finish mid-2022.

The state government contributed $6 million to the projects in a joint effort with Deakin University. It is one of many pitches from universities to the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund, which was developed in response to the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sector.

The unprecedented $350 million VHESIF is supporting universities with capital works, research infrastructure projects and applied research focused on boosting Victoria’s productivity and economy as the state recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

Source: A state government media release

Geelong region leaders call for port transformation to welcome Spirit of Tas

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G21 and six other Geelong region organisations are collectively advocating for government funding to transform Corio Quay Road and the surrounding area into a safe and welcoming gateway to the region for tourists arriving on the Spirit of Tasmania.

Scheduled to begin service in 2022, the Spirit of Tassie will give a much-needed boost to our visitor economy and is expected to play a significant role in helping our hospitality, accommodation and events businesses get back on their feet.

GeelongPort is investing $135 million to beautify the area and will soon begin construction of a 12-hectare terminal with family-friendly and freight facilities.

To accommodate the mix of tourists, locals and freight vehicles, an upgrade to the surrounding road infrastructure to manage traffic flow is also an urgent priority.

With the backing of G21 and local organisations, the Port is calling on the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments to contribute $15 million to upgrade access roads and install traffic lights to create a safe, efficient passage to and from the terminal for all users.

This would be an important co-investment by our governments in regional jobs, tourism and industry.

The Spirit of Tasmania has the potential to bring an increasing number of visitors to Geelong and deliver an additional $57.3 million in tourism spending to the region by 2029-30 ($174.1 million for Victoria overall.)

It will also provide a significant boost to Victoria’s freight industry, with increased import/export capacity benefitting our region’s agricultural and food industries in particular.

In consultation with GeelongPort, the local community has expressed extremely strong support for a makeover of the port precinct and great positivity towards the Spirit of Tassie making its new home in Geelong.

Ports Victoria Geelong HQ

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G21 welcomes the state government announcement that the new Ports Victoria body is to be headquartered in Geelong.

The new body will begin operating from Geelong on 1 July and will bring together the Victorian Regional Channels Authority and Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) to lead the strategic management and operation of Victoria’s commercial ports and waterways.

G21 CEO Giulia Baggio said the new body’s headquarters being based in Geelong was welcome news, but cautioned against any loss of autonomy for GeelongPort from the creation of Ports Victoria.

“Geelong is an obvious site for Ports Victoria, given our central geographic location, being home to the state’s second-largest port and the region’s attractive lifestyle,” Ms Baggio said.

“The employment and economic benefits of having Ports Victoria in Geelong are important. Geelong has proven its credentials with TAC, WorkSafe and NDIA as an excellent place for government agencies to locate their headquarters.”

While Ms Baggio welcomed Ports Victoria coming to Geelong she cautioned against the Port of Geelong, and its commercial operator GeelongPort, losing any autonomy under the new structure.

“We are fortunate to have one of the most progressive and innovative port operators in GeelongPort. It’s important that this new structure does not impinge on or limit GeelongPort’s operational strengths,” Ms Baggio said.

“Ports Victoria has arisen from an independent review of the state’s ports. The review will inform a new Victorian Port Strategy, currently under development. We will be watching the outcome of that strategy development process very closely to ensure the operations of GeelongPort are not adversely impacted.”

The state government says the creation 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.

The government says the Department of Transport will use the broad industry analysis to suggest “changes to increase efficiency and simplify operations” for all stakeholders.

Other changes have been recommended to ensure there is a consistent process for issues like navigational safety, pilotage, and towage and to improve safety for operators and regulators, a state government statement said.

The full response from the government to the review will be released later this year.

For a summary of the independent review’s findings visit transport.vic.gov.au

Former G21 CEO receives leadership award

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The Committee for Geelong has announced former G21 CEO Elaine Carbines AM as the recipient of the Committee for Geelong Leadership Award for 2020.

This Annual Leadership Award, decided by the Committee for Geelong’s Board, independently recognises and celebrates leadership in the Geelong community.

Committee for Geelong chair Clive Pugh said Ms Carbines had been an outstanding contributor to the Geelong region.

“Listening is one of Elaine’s hallmark leadership traits to balance an argument in addition to her openness and honesty in communication with others,” Mr Pugh said.

“Her collaborative style of leadership has yielded much success for the causes that Elaine has supported in her most recent role as the CEO of G21 Geelong Region Alliance and in her previous roles as parliamentary representative and educator.”

“Politics has never been the motivation for Elaine, it was always doing the best for the people of Geelong.”

Elaine will receive the award at the upcoming Leaders for Geelong Graduation and Annual Leadership Award Night to be held at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday 18 March, where she will speak about her leadership journey.

G21 and the Committee for Geelong collaborate on many initiatives that promote and advance Geelong and the wider G21 region.

State backs Land 400 Geelong bid

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The State Government is backing Hanwha Defense Australia to build and maintain Australian military vehicles in Geelong, in a move that stands to create hundreds of highly-skilled local jobs.

Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula today (12 Jan 2021) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hanwha, a major South Korean global company, to formalise a long-term partnership which will support the establishment of Hanwha’s defence manufacturing operations in Victoria.

Minister Pakula was at Laverton North to see Hanwha’s LAND 400 Phase 3 vehicle the Redback (see image), after the Commonwealth selected Hanwha as one of two final tenderers, along with Rheinmetall in Queensland.

A Price Waterhouse Coopers report commissioned by Hanwha estimated that the LAND 400 Phase 3 manufacturing effort would generate $5.7 billion in total economic impacts in Victoria.

Hanwha is also looking to build 30 Self-Propelled Howitzers and 15 armoured resupply vehicles in Geelong, and carry out maintenance and repairs during their years of service for the Australian Army, having been recently announced as the sole tenderer for the Commonwealth’s LAND 8116 tender.

The MoU will enable the Government and Hanwha to explore investment opportunities in defence and non-defence sectors. The partnership will strengthen Victoria’s relationship with South Korean industry, driving collaboration and creating opportunities for expanded bilateral trade and investment.

Founded in 1952, Hanwha Corporation has grown to become South Korea’s largest defence company and also operates in aerospace, fintech, mining and clean energy.

Victoria’s defence sector contributes $8.4 billion annually to the state’s economy with 6,300 small-to-medium businesses working across military vehicle production, maritime design, aerospace components, digital and cyber security, and munitions.

Victoria is well positioned to capitalise on the Commonwealth’s forecast investment in new defence capability of $270 billion over 10 years.

The Victorian Budget 2020-21 allocated $6 million to give the state’s defence sector a competitive edge so it can capture a large share of Australia’s biggest ever defence spend.

“Victoria is the home of Australian manufacturing and we are pleased to be working with Hanwha to maximise opportunities for more high-value jobs to be created in Geelong,” Minister Pakula said.

“The range of companies working in defence industries is staggering, and we’re backing them to grow further.”

Hanwha Defense Australia managing director Richard Cho said his company was delighted to enter into this MoU with the Victorian Government.

“We see it as a strong platform from which to develop our mutual interests in a range of technologies and to establish an advanced manufacturing facility here in Victoria,” he said.

Source: A state government media release

Giulia Baggio appointed as G21 CEO

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G21 – Geelong Region Alliance today announced the appointment of Ms Giulia Baggio as its new Chief Executive Officer.

G21 Chair Cr Stephanie Asher said the G21 Board was thrilled with the appointment which heralded a new era for G21.

“Giulia’s breadth of experience in the media, stakeholder engagement, advocacy and political advisory roles in both the private and public sectors make her eminently qualified for this role,” Cr Asher said.

“G21 region is embarking on a new era of unprecedented growth and opportunity.  Giulia comes to G21 at an exciting time.  The G21 Board is confident that Giulia’s skills, energy and experience is the right combination to help take the region forward.

“Giulia knows this region well.  Her father and grandparents lived at the foot of the You Yangs and she attended school in Geelong.  Since then she has been a regular visitor to the region.

“As the newly elected Chair of G21, I am looking forward to working with Giulia to bring a new fresh direction to G21’s important work for the region,” Cr Asher said.

Ms Baggio said she was looking forward to taking up the role.

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to work on behalf of Australia’s most beautiful and liveable region,” Ms Baggio said.

“The next decade will require careful planning to create good quality jobs and prosperity for our communities while also preserving the exquisite natural beauty of our coast, forests and plains. By working closely with our community, I am confident we can create the best of all worlds.

“I would like to acknowledge the exceptional work already accomplished by G21 under the leadership of Elaine Carbines. From a strong foundation, we’re ready to go forward.”

Ms Baggio replaces Elaine Carbines who is retiring after 10 years in the role.

Ms Baggio officially begins as CEO on 1 February.  There will be a short handover between the outgoing and incoming chief executives prior to then.

BIO – Giulia Baggio

Giulia’s most recent role was Chief of Staff to the Lord Mayor Sally Capp at the City of Melbourne.

Prior to this she worked as an executive in a number of organisations covering a range of public policy areas including financial services and superannuation, climate change and sustainability, OHS and workplace relations.

Giulia has also worked for the Commonwealth Government as a policy and media adviser in a variety of ministerial portfolios.

Giulia’s career began at the ABC where she enjoyed 15 years as a TV news and current affairs journalist, primarily reporting on politics in Spring Street and Canberra.