Conceptual image Regional RON

Regional Renewable Organics Network – a big step forward for G21’s circular economy

/0 Comments/in , /by

Barwon Water has joined forces with six local councils to transform food, garden and commercial organic waste into clean energy and nutrient-rich products for agriculture, in a big step forward for the circular economy in our region and Victoria.

The project has received support from the Victorian Government with funding for a business case, and Barwon Water has signed a Heads of Agreement with Colac Otway, Greater Geelong, Golden Plains, Queenscliffe, Surf Coast and Wyndham Councils to explore opportunities for a Regional Renewable Organics Network (RON) at its Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant in Connewarre.

The Regional RON, which is a G21 priority under the Clean Energy, Cleantech & Circular Economy project, will deliver significant environmental, economic and community benefits for the region.

Local councils will be able to send 40,000 tonnes of commercial, industrial and household organic waste to Barwon Water every year, where it will be processed into 8000 tonnes of nutrient-rich compost to support local agriculture. Greenhouse gas emissions captured from rotting waste will be converted into clean energy.

This will generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of 500 homes and reduce the region’s carbon emissions by between 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes, the equivalent of taking more than 4,000 cars off the road.

It will provide a lower cost, environmentally positive waste solution for councils and ratepayers, while cutting Barwon Water’s energy costs by helping to power the Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant.

The Regional RON will lead our region’s transition to a circular economy where materials are continually reused and recycled to increase their lifespan, add value and reduce waste.

The facility will operate under the same clean energy principles as the RON at Barwon Water’s Colac Water Reclamation Plant, which converts gas produced by organic matter into renewable electricity.

The Colac RON, created in partnership with Australian Lamb Company and Bulla Dairy Foods, powers itself and is no longer on the grid, saving money and reducing carbon emissions.

The Regional RON will be up and running by mid-2024.

Barwon Water is inviting the community to learn more about the project and provide input into early stages of the project’s design at https://www.yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/rron

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners join Geelong revitalisation

/0 Comments/in /by

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will be taking a central role in the planning, design and implementation of a range of projects in Central Geelong. 

The Geelong City Deal will deliver $400,000 in funding to provide Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) a strong voice in the design of Revitalising Central Geelong projects.

The WTOAC will employ a project manager for two years to work within the Revitalising Central Geelong partnership to enable this important collaboration.

The project manager will take part in the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan projects, helping to deliver the Barwon Regional Partnership priority of embracing and embedding Aboriginal culture throughout the region.

The funding will also enable the WTOAC to commence the development of the Wadawurrung Urban Design Guidelines that celebrates Wadawurrung living culture and Wadawurrung cultural values, which will inform the planning, design, and delivery of future built environment projects in central Geelong.

The WTOAC has been working closely with Geelong City Deal partners, particularly with those projects under the Revitalising Central Geelong commitment.

The Geelong City Deal is a $382 million commitment between the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong to revitalise the city and regional economy, encouraging visitors to spend more time in the region by capitalising on its natural assets.

Revitalising Central Geelong, which is a G21 priority project, will improve the vibrancy, liveability and amenity of central Geelong for residents, workers, students and visitors.

For more information on the Geelong City Deal visit infrastructure.gov.au/cities/city-deals/geelong/.

Bannockburn growth plan gazetted

/0 Comments/in /by

The Bannockburn Growth Plan has been incorporated into the Golden Plains Planning Scheme, following approval by the Minister for Planning.

The plan guides sustainable growth to the year 2050, catering for 18,000 new residents. It identifies where and when future housing will be developed, as well as infrastructure to support the growing community, such as roads, community facilities, and land for employment and retail.

The Victorian Planning Authority* (VPA) prepared the Growth Plan in consultation with Golden Plains Shire Council, government agencies and community. Nearly 440 community members provided feedback on priorities for the town’s future during last year’s consultation process.

The Growth Plan is part of the VPA-Fast Track Program, the Victorian Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.

The VPA will now collaborate with key stakeholders, agencies and the community to prepare a Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) for the South East Precinct. The PSP will result in the rezoning of land in readiness for subdivision and development.

Development of the Bannockburn Growth Plan is an element of the G21 Regional Growth Areas Priority Project.

(*The VPA is the Victorian Government’s specialist authority for land use and infrastructure planning in growing urban areas across the state.)

New Twelve Apostles Lookout To Deliver Stunning Experience

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Work has begun on a new lookout at the Twelve Apostles, part of stage one works in the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan implementation.

The Victorian government will begin construction on the $9.2 million lookout, which will provide a safer and more accessible experience for visitors and help to future-proof the iconic destination.

Situated on Kirrae Wurrung Country, the two “clapsticks” of the structure are the colours of Ngayook (Sulphur Crested Cockatoo) and Ponponpoorramook (Red Tailed Black Cockatoo), which are primary totemic species to the Eastern Maar peoples.

The project will be the second delivered as part of the government’s $16.5 million investment in the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan (stage one). The first, a new pedestrian suspension bridge connecting the Port Campbell National Park with Port Campbell, was completed last year.

Stage one projects are expected to support 120 ongoing jobs, add $12 million to the regional economy and increase the annual visitor spend by $14 million.

G21 is a long-time advocate for improved facilities along the Great Ocean Road, including upgrades to the Shipwreck Coast, as part of its Visitor Economy priority project. The lookout will open in 2023.

 

Protecting Victoria’s Iconic Great Ocean Road

/0 Comments/in /by

The Victorian Government has introduced draft legislation to protect the Great Ocean Road and reform management of the coast and parks.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lilly D’Ambrosio introduced the Great Ocean Road and Environs Protection Bill 2021 into the Parliament − the second of two bills to implement reforms in the Great Ocean Road Action Plan.

Under the Bill, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, established last year, would be the dedicated parks manager for coastal Crown land from Torquay to Warrnambool − with similar functions, powers and obligations as Parks Victoria.

The small area of National Parks transferred to the Authority along the road will continue to be managed under the National Parks Act in partnership with Parks Victoria, with no change to their status or obligation to be managed as an area designated for conservation.

The Victorian Government has provided more than $28 million to deliver the reforms, including $19 million for the Authority to deliver upgrades to tourism infrastructure.

Before the reforms, management arrangements were fragmented with no over-arching plan or single authority covering the entire length of the road.

Improving infrastructure and providing greater environmental protections along the Great Ocean Road and its hinterland is part of G21’s Great Ocean Road Priority Project.

$38 million social and affordable housing success

/0 Comments/in , /by

G21 welcomes the Victorian Government’s $27.9 million investment in social and affordable housing in the region which will deliver around 100 new homes across 10 locations in the City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast areas.

“This investment is a great first step. We urgently need subsidised housing to help house the increasing number of people who can’t afford skyrocketing rents in our overheated private rental market. In some cases, people are paying almost half of their income to rent a home which leaves very little for other daily essentials,” said G21 CEO Giulia Baggio.

The state grant of $27.9 million will be boosted by a further $10 million from community-based housing providers.

“Community-based providers are highly regulated, not-for-profit property developers who build social housing and also ensure that people renting these homes receive support. This funding announcement will deliver safe and secure accommodation for several hundred people and generate construction jobs,” said Ms Baggio.

For the past year G21 and Sirovilla have been working in partnership with the five councils of the region and the state government to identify the need for additional social housing across the region.

Data from the ABS Census has been used to map a shortfall of around 6,000 new social housing properties to meet current demand for people already living in our region. There is a need for additional social housing in all G21 municipalities.

The grant comes from the state government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build program which aims to build more than 12,000 new social and affordable homes across Victoria to take pressure off significant waiting lists. G21 would welcome a co-investment from the Commonwealth Government to expand the project, especially to address key worker housing and worker shortages in the region’s townships.

Gallery expansion a step closer

/0 Comments/in , /by

Plans are underway to double the current footprint of the Geelong Gallery in a major expansion of one of our region’s most popular cultural assets.

The Victorian government will join forces with the City of Greater Geelong and the Geelong Gallery Board to update the business case to expand the Gallery into Town Hall, with a $125,000 grant from the $10 million Enabling Tourism Fund.

The gallery’s ambition to lead the delivery of Geelong’s “clever and creative” 30-year vision for economic and cultural renewal is seriously hampered by the current lack of adequate space for large-scale, drawcard exhibitions.

Restricted space also limits the display and storage of, and public access to what is regarded as a nationally important collection owned by the people of Geelong. The gallery holds around 6,000 works of art but only has the capacity to show 2 per cent of this.

The innovative revamp will feature a cultural, learning and social space that honours the civic and ceremonial heritage of the Town Hall – a striking model for regional art galleries in the 21st century.

The Gallery presented the Archibald Prize in 2017, and again in 2018, welcoming 276,000 visitors to the gallery across the two years and injecting $14.25 million into the local economy.

Earlier this year, the Gallery hosted RONE in Geelong, its evocative and ghostly roomscapes attracting almost 47,000 people and contributing $7.8 million to the economy.

With expanded and upgraded facilities the gallery will be able to attract 200,000 visitors annually and strengthen Geelong’s designation as a UNESCO City of Design.

Geelong Gallery’s expansion is a central element of Geelong’s Cultural Precinct Masterplan, a G21 Priority Project that has propelled the successful redevelopment of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and the Geelong Arts Centre.

It will also a play a key part in the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan delivering huge flow-on benefits for the growing arts, culture and hospitality precinct on Little Malop Street.

The gallery will partner with Aalto and John Wardle Architects to deliver the Business Case by the end of 2021.

Meanwhile, COVID restrictions are playing havoc with upcoming exhibitions. The highly-regarded Frederick McCubbin exhibition, due to open in early September, has been postponed. The gallery team is hoping for an October opening, with the possibility of extending the exhibition over summer.

Assuming no further restrictions, Archie 100: A Century of the Archibald Prize will open in November. The 100th anniversary exhibition will present an eclectic selection of Archibald portraits from the 20th century. Geelong Gallery is the exclusive Victorian venue for Archie 100 – don’t miss out!

Tickets for both events are available here: https://www.geelonggallery.org.au/whats-on/exhibitions#upcoming

Geelong City Deal

/0 Comments/in , /by

The second annual progress report for the $382.48 million Geelong City Deal has been released.

Although there is still no news on the proposed Geelong Convention Centre, the Geelong waterfront is gradually being transformed. A major new feature for Geelong’s Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct, ‘Wangim Walk’ stretches out over Corio Bay to form one of Australia’s longest on-water walkways, providing a safe harbour for the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and inviting the public to walk out over the water.

Significant progress has been made on the Queenscliff Ferry Terminal with a new boardwalk and rock groyne already built and construction of a new terminal building underway. The terminal will improve ferry services and create opportunities for tourism, jobs and a more diverse economy.

The Twelve Apostles Precinct Redevelopment Project Plan was also endorsed, which includes a $23.4 million Private Sector Business Enablement Fund. The fund aims to progress public infrastructure projects that support businesses and activate private investment opportunities along the Shipwreck Coast, with applications under the first stage of the fund already coming through.

The $5 million Green Spine Block 1 project is progressing, with drainage, kerb and channel works between Gheringhap and Clare streets complete and final works underway.

The $3 million Geelong Train Station Upgrade is in its early stages, with brighter and more energy efficient LED lighting being installed throughout the station car parks and bus canopy to improve community safety.

There have been several major contracts awarded along the Great Ocean Road, including for the detailed design of the $12 million redevelopment of Apollo Bay Harbour, planning and design works for the $5 million Apollo Bay to Skenes Creek Coastal Trail and $1.9 million for tourism infrastructure at Kennett River.

The Geelong City Deal is a commitment from all three levels of government to deliver lasting infrastructure that helps to generate jobs, inject money into the local economy and increase the liveability of the city.

Strategy For Traditional Owner Management Of Country

/0 Comments/in /by

A new Victorian Traditional Owner Cultural Landscapes Strategy has been launched, setting out pathways to restore knowledge systems and return decision making powers to Traditional Owners.

The strategy was developed and written by Traditional Owners with support from the Victorian Government and land management agencies.

It provides a strategic framework for Traditional Owners to lead the management of Country in line with cultural obligations.

Access to Country and managing living cultural landscapes through cultural land and fire management practices is a vital part of self-determination. The state government is partnering with Traditional Owners to reform the systems and processes that create barriers to self-determination.

The strategy seeks to address the significant impact European colonisation has had on Traditional Owner rights and obligations to care for Country by restoring knowledge systems and reconnecting Traditional Owners to Country and cultural land management practice.

The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners Corporations coordinated and facilitated the development of the strategy, with $350,000 provided by the state government.

A further $2.6 million was provided to fund officer roles in all 11 Traditional Owner Corporations to support Traditional Owner participation in Regional Forestry Agreement initiatives, including the development of the Cultural Landscapes Strategy.

As part of the Victorian Budget 2021/22, the state government is providing $11 million to Traditional Owner Corporations to implement the Cultural Landscape Strategy on Country.

Spirit of Tasmania Terminal (conceptual)

Natural landscapes provide inspiration for Spirit terminal design

/0 Comments/in , /by

GeelongPort and Spirit of Tasmania have unveiled design images of the Spirit of Tasmania’s new terminal building to be constructed at Corio Quay in Geelong.

The state-of-the-art building will open its doors to the public in 2022, with construction due to begin later this year.

Inspiration for the building’s design has been drawn from Tasmania’s famously ethereal landscapes.

The design by Brand Architects incorporates angled windows and sunshades over the glass façade, evoking images of the jagged contours of Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain and icy waters of Dove Lake.

Cradle Mountain is synonymous with pristine nature and wilderness. The colour palette was chosen for the neutral greys and bronze colours reminiscent of the dolerite peak, often shrouded by cloud.

The striking and functional design will include a café, dedicated play area for children and spacious lounge areas for the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected annually.

Spirit of Tasmania’s move to Geelong will be a great boost for Tasmanian and Victorian businesses recovering from ongoing travel restrictions as a result of COVID. It will establish Geelong as a major tourism gateway to world class destinations in Victoria and especially the magic of the G21 region.

To find out more about this exciting project visit https://engage.geelongport.com.au/ or to learn more about what Spirit of Tasmania has to offer go to www.spiritoftasmania.com.au.