A region of growth and resilience
WE’RE ON THE WAY TO BECOMING A SIGNIFICANT CITY BUT WE NEED TO PLAN NOW TO CAPITALISE ON A POPULATION INFLUX FROM MELBOURNE
DID you know that Geelong is currently experiencing unprecedented growth of
2.7 per cent and is growing faster than Melbourne? Current projections estimate the population of Geelong hitting 500,000 in 2047 and one million in 2075.
According to the Regional Australia Institute, if Geelong takes a larger percentage of Melbourne’s project population growth, we will have 1,120,312 people on our doorstops by 2056.
Geelong is uniquely placed and is in an excellent position to continue to grow at accelerated rates by capturing the excess growth from Melbourne. This growth presents challenges for our community and needs an intelligent,
INVESTORS ARE LOOKING TO INCREASE THEIR SPEND IN GEELONG AND OUR LOCAL COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL SECTORS SHOULD BE THE BENEFICIARIES
ambitious and action-oriented approach to strategy.
So, what does this all mean? It means we need to think about how we function as a city-region, how we deal with increasing pressures on our transport, health and education systems, where this population growth will occur and in what fashion, and what it means in terms of impact to the environment and our lifestyle.
The Northern and Western Geelong growth areas constitute the largest greenfield planning project in regional Victoria with a combined future population of about 110,000 new
Geelong residents.
With a vision to deliver diverse, localised and sustainable neighbourhoods that prioritise selfsufficiency whilst maximising connections to the Geelong community, economy and identity, these growth areas are set to exemplify Geelong’s transformation as a clever and creative city.
Transport and jobs are an important component of the plans for growth with major investment in urban infrastructure secured to facilitate reliable and regular connections between key suburbs and employment centres.
Managing projected population growth in a way that prioritises the unique natural assets and enviable lifestyle of the region remains one of Geelong’s greatest challenges. However, Geelong’s active, engaged and passionate local community will ensure the future remains an exciting one.
For local business this provides immense opportunity.
Investors are looking to increase their spend in Geelong and our local commercial and retail sectors should be the beneficiaries. But we need to plan and design the city we want – one that we can be proud of.
The city centre’s population is expected to increase from 2000 now to more than 12,000 in three decades and provide employment and services for more than 35,000 people.
Geelong is primed to see a population boom from relocating metropolitan dwellers and has a robust growth plan to support this influx.