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.
