BUILDING FOR OUR FUTURE

IT is one thing to know that there is a lot of construction activity going on, but it is another to see the data of just how many building permits are being approved locally. The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows about 181 new homes were approved across Geelong and the Surf Coast every day in March – a 45 per cent increase on the same period last year.

That is despite the pandemic, despite the timber supply shortage and despite the unavailability of tradies through illness.

The total value of the approved local construction for March alone was $3.17bn, a massive total for one month’s activity. The interest in our region, and people’s willingness to invest in it, is not slowing down.

The data sends a timely reminder to governments about our region’s continued growth and development. More than 2000 permits – over a third of the March approvals – were issued for areas along the Armstrong Creek growth corridor.

Not surprisingly improvements to Barwon Heads Rd, one of the two main arterials through the area, has been the single biggest election spend by the major parties in Corangamite so far this campaign.

But upgrades to one road will not be enough to service continued growth at this rate.

Public transport through Armstrong Creek and down to the coast is woefully under-provided, and there is a clear need to establish rail connection through the area if we are serious about providing sustainable transport options now and into the future.