Push for solutions beyond the city’s settlement strategy

A SENIOR executive with more than $120 million invested in the Geelong region says the city needs a big picture plan to cater for a potential one million people.

Tom Roe, who has more 30 years’ experience in the property industry and lives at Barwon Heads, says Geelong needs a proper urbanised plan if regional decentralisation is to work.

The former chairman of the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s Geelong Chapter says they city’s rapid growth must be informed by a more encompassing “whole-of-city plan” catering for infrastructure and employment, and not just residential land use.

“Frustratingly, I remain the only person or body in the public domain that’s actually had a crack at preparing a detailed whole-of-city plan for the municipality, including infrastructure, employment and an urbanised footprint to accommodate the region’s longerterm population forecast, whether that be at the more conservative or aggressive end,” Mr Roe said.

“It seems nobody will touch the hard detail.

“Of particular concern to me is that the so-called Geelong region ‘settlement strategy’ just deals with residential land use — it does not tackle the big picture of infrastructure and employment, nor brings together an integrated long-term plan.

“Motherhood hero statements are one thing but urbanising the words and presenting an informed considered position — as well as outlining a funding solution — is a much harder ask.”

Mr Roe, who describes himself as a strong advocate for decentralisation, said he was supportive of Geelong’s continuing growth but that growth must be informed by a detailed growth plan.

“How else can we properly plan for our future and advocate to current and subsequent governments for appropriate support?,” he said

“That is why Melbourne has Plan Melbourne, as it should. “Where is Plan Geelong?” In addition to a municipal plan, Mr Roe said Geelong must be in a position to fund regional infrastructure including major roads, new rail corridors, rail overpasses, new rail stations, libraries and swimming pools stemming from an increased population.

Mr Roe said this infrastructure need was referenced by council as “State Governmentresponsible infrastructure”.

“It’s a big list and it will grow,” he said. “Most importantly that list is unfunded.”

City of Greater Geelong planning, design and development director Gareth Smith said the G21 Regional Growth Plan guided the overall development of the city.

“We have a range of supporting land use policies including the settlement strategy, retail strategy and rural land-use strategy that all support the implementation of the Regional Growth Plan and manage the growth and change of the city,” he said.

“We do not need a Plan Geelong at this point.”