Central Geelong Revitalisation

THE NEED

Central Geelong is the G21 region’s primary centre of business, retail, arts, culture, education, health and institutional activity. Like many cities of its size, central Geelong is experiencing challenges as it transitions from a traditional ‘central business district’ function to a more diverse economic, social, residential and cultural centre.

The revitalisation of central Geelong as a strong, vibrant and thriving mixed-use centre is important for Geelong, the region and to the future growth of Victoria as the state’s second city. Central Geelong is redefining itself, attracting investment, delivering employment opportunities and providing a lifestyle that makes people want to live in the city centre and visit often.

The Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan sets out the state government’s plan to drive change in central Geelong, allowing the city to maximise its economic growth and realise its full potential.

The Action Plan will coordinate state and local government involvement in central Geelong – providing focus for structural, policy and physical changes necessary to attract private sector investment and stimulate growth.

Delivering world-class precincts is a key outcome of the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan, and includes the G21 Priority Projects of redeveloping the Geelong Cultural Precinct and delivering a new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre (funded).

PROJECT CHAMPION

Martin Cutter, Chief Executive Officer, City of Greater Geelong.

PROJECT AIMS

The Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan sets out initiatives designed to turn central Geelong into a magnet for new jobs and growth.

Ultimately, the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan is designed to encourage:

• people living and working in the city
• permanent and construction job creation
• demand for retail and services
• creativity and vibrancy across the city day and night
• new development opportunities
• private sector confidence to invest in central Geelong.

Delivering the Action Plan will take time and the concerted, coordinated efforts of local, state and federal governments, the private sector and the local community.

A Revitalising Central Geelong Partnership, comprised of officers from state departments and agencies and the City of Greater Geelong, has been established to implement the plan.

WHAT HAS BEEN COMMITTED

The Federal Government, State Government and City of Greater Geelong has invested $38.13 million through the Geelong City Deal to deliver key projects within the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan. This includes:

• $15 million towards the Green Spine (blocks one and three)
• $7.28 million to the construction of the Gheringhap Street Drain
• $5 million streetscape upgrades, artworks and public realm improvements
• $3 million for Geelong Railway Station upgrades
• $1.35 million delivering pedestrian laneways between Little Malop Street and Malop Street
• $1 million to improve accessibility in central Geelong.
• $500,000 for the creation of a Geelong Train Station Precinct Development Plan
• Civic Precinct planning.

The federal government has delivered:

• $2.65 million in incentives for Deakin University’s affordable student housing in the T&G building
• To locate the National Disability Insurance Agency headquarters in central Geelong.

The state government has delivered:

• $15 million to fix stormwater infrastructure at Johnstone Park, create new laneways connections and bus infrastructure.
• $5.5 million to deliver early stages of the Action Plan.
• $3 million to deliver the Green Spine (block two) and laneway upgrades.
• $1.7 million towards the Johnstone Park raingarden.
• $850,000 towards the redevelopment of central Geelong’s iconic T&G building.
• To locate WorkSafe Victoria headquarters in central Geelong.

WHAT IS REQUIRED

• Funding to continue the successful implementation of the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan to 2026.
• Inclusion of the Geelong Station Masterplan in the Geelong Fast Rail planning and business case, in collaboration with the Revitalising Central Geelong partnership.
• Funding to deliver the remaining stages of the Malop Street Green Spine (Bellerine Street to Eastern Gardens).

A commitment to embed GROW training, employment and procurement principles in all government projects within the region.