G21 INTEGRATED TRANSPORT STRATEGY

PROJECT / Transport & Planning Pillar

BOOMING G21 REGION HEADING TO A CONGESTED STANDSTILL BY 2041

Victoria’s fastest growing region will require significant investment in public and active transport connections to avoid a 491 per cent increase in road congestion around Geelong by 2041.

This is a key finding of the G21 Region Transport Strategy developed over 18 months by communities across Geelong, Bannockburn, the Surf Coast, the Bellarine and Colac Otway. Data projections on current commuter movements predict serious socio-economic constraints for the region under a business-as-usual approach to transport planning.

G21 CEO Giulia Baggio says the strategy recommends taking the load off roads with a dedicated focus on building efficient public transport and active travel options in and between town centres, as the population continues to boom.

“We need to start this investment now, with state, local and federal governments working together to avoid the risk of locking in permanent and unmanageable road congestion,” said Ms Baggio.

“The data modelling shows our cities and towns heading to a standstill by 2041 with a car dependent population of more than half a million people. Heavier traffic volumes are already hampering access to jobs, education, recreation, and services across the region.”

Ms Baggio says transport investment is more likely where there is greater housing choice and density, an element that has been missing from the region’s town planning.

She says community members who took part in developing the strategy were not opposed to greater density as long as it was high quality and in the right areas. Around 81% said they would welcome greater density in new housing around public transport hubs and commercial centres.

Using a “vision and validate” approach, other measures included:

• high-capacity public transport in main road corridors (82%)
• a network of connected towns with cycling tourism infrastructure (82%)
• suburban streets shared between bike riders, pedestrians and cars (70%) with greater
pedestrianisation of town centres
• More shade trees in pedestrian areas (90%)
• Climate friendly, net zero emissions transport
• Accessibility for everyone on all transport modes

Acknowledgement and thanks

G21-Geelong Region Alliance would like to thank Regional Development Victoria, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Colac Otway Shire and the Borough of Queenscliff for their generous funding for this project. Thanks also to Jessica Harris Advisory, Karly Lovell at Deakin University, York Park Group, Committee for Geelong and the G21 Transport Pillar for their time, knowledge, and in-kind support.

The G21 Integrated Region Transport Strategy technical report was developed by Urbis, Movement and Place and Veitch Lister Consulting.