Budgets reveal a lot for Geelong
WE HAVE a lot to look forward to in Greater Geelong.
Council’s proposed 2022-23 budget features a capital works spend of more than $206m for community infrastructure, such as libraries, sporting facilities, playgrounds and community hubs.
Our projects are progressing well too, with construction kicking off mid-year on the Armstrong Creek Library and Community
Hub and works under way on the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub and stage one of the North Bellarine Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
The federal budget includes ongoing funding for key infrastructure projects that are being delivered through the Geelong City Deal, a landmark partnership between the commonwealth, Victorian government and our council to revitalise Geelong.
And last week’s Victorian government budget for 2022-23 has many positives for our community.
With preparations under way for Geelong to host seven sporting events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the council welcomes the announcement of $2.6bn investment in supporting infrastructure across regional Victoria.
Building an athletes’ village in central Geelong for up to 2950 athletes and officials will not only create jobs and boost our local economy in the lead-up to the Games, but eventually provide much-needed affordable housing for our region.
As we look ahead to the Games, we are ramping up advocacy for government investment and partnerships to help us deliver a regional indoor sports centre.
This facility is essential for our expanding region, as many sports are unable to grow sustainably due to a lack of facilities.
This would also be the perfect place to host the gymnastics and table tennis at the Games.
We also welcome the Victorian government’s funding to reduce congestion and improve road safety, such as upgrades to the intersection of the Bellarine
Highway and Moolap Station Rd and improvements to bus services from Torquay and Armstrong Creek to Geelong.
There’s also the $250m investment on new VLocity carriages, some of which will service the Warrnambool to Melbourne line, and continued funding for the Portarlington to Docklands ferry to provide another alternative to travelling by car.
A second laneways project at Market St South, with the aim of continuing the revitalisation of Central Geelong, will connect retail and medical precincts to the commercial heart of the city.
The focus on boosting our local health sector has been well received, particularly more than $500m for stage one of a women’s and children’s hospital.
There’s also funding to acquire land for new schools, including one for the growing Charlemont community.
The establishment of the hospital and school are set to make our region even more appealing to young families looking for a lifestyle change.
This will of course lead to increased demand on council facilities and services, and, with predictions Greater Geelong will reach a population of 390,000+ over the next 15 years, that pressure will only rise.
Which is why securing further state and federal funding for critical infrastructure will become increasingly vital for us.
Funding for a world-class regional soccer facility is also on our wish list, after it was identified in the G21 Regional Football Strategy to meet demand. We know the round ball is particularly highly valued by our culturally diverse community members and a facility would no doubt support football participation.
Having enough dedicated spaces for young people, including green space, leads to better health and wellbeing outcomes.
More dedicated spaces across the region that would support our existing youth hub in Corio would make a tangible difference in young people’s Covid recovery.
The city is carrying out a business case for a new youth hub and government funding would be required to deliver this for our community.
Council is excited by the Geelong region announcements in both the state and federal budgets.
They align with many of our key priorities and help guide us towards our community-led clever and creative vision.
With so many opportunities and potential to tap into, we look forward to seeing more commitments for our region during both election campaigns.
BUILDING AN ATHLETES’ VILLAGE IN CENTRAL GEELONG FOR UP TO 2950 ATHLETES AND OFFICIALS WILL NOT ONLY CREATE JOBS AND BOOST OUR LOCAL ECONOMY IN THE LEAD-UP TO THE GAMES, BUT EVENTUALLY PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR OUR REGION.