Geelong City Deal: A major economic boost
09 November 2018
Federal Government: More
jobs, investment and tourists are headed to
Geelong and
Victoria's
Great Ocean Road with the Liberal and Nationals
Government announcing a contribution of $154 million to the Geelong City
Deal.
The landmark deal will unlock the economic potential of the region's
tourism industry, revitalise the Geelong city centre and boost emerging
businesses.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced the Federal contribution
to the Geelong City Deal package—which includes a complete
transformation of the Twelve Apostles precinct and the Shipwreck Coast.
“This deal will be a game changer from Geelong all the way along the
Coast,” the Prime Minister said.
“When it comes to tourism in Australia it doesn't get much more iconic
than the Twelve Apostles and the Great Ocean Road.
Every year, more than six million people drive along the Great Ocean
Road and two million visit the Twelve Apostles. But we don't want people
just day tripping from
Melbourne, we want them staying the night at a
local hotel, eating dinner at the local pub, and buying coffee in the
morning at a local cafe.
“Our significant investments in Geelong infrastructure will mean more
jobs and a better quality of life for hard working families giving local
businesses a real boost.”
Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said
the investment would support the continued transformation of Geelong by
leveraging the strengths of the city and region.
This commitment will transform the Geelong city precinct and make it an
even better place to live,” Minister Tudge said.
“City Deals represent a genuine partnership between all three levels of
government to align planning, create jobs and stimulate urban renewal.
“Geelong will benefit from a new state of the art convention centre at
the Geelong waterfront along with public domain improvements, and
infrastructure investments to revitalise and redevelop the city centre.”
Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said the $58 million investment in
the Shipwreck Coast Master Plan would be a game changer.
“Focusing on updating tourist infrastructure at the Twelve Apostles,
Glenample Precinct and Gibson Steps, this funding will support the
area's visitor economy, helping to better manage large numbers of
tourists and enhance the visitor experience, while generating hundreds
of local jobs,” Mr Tehan said.
“It will improve access and safety, reduce congestion at key tourist
sites and lay the foundations for private sector development, such as
quality accommodation. It will also help disperse visitors throughout
the region and shift the perception of the Great Ocean Road from a day
trip destination to an overnight and multi-day visitor experience. The
construction of a new Visitor Experience Centre at Glenample is central
to this vision.”
Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson said today's announcement
followed the Government's commitment of $3.5 million to the Geelong Safe
Harbour Project, improving public access to the Geelong waterfront and
supporting tourism, community activities and major events.
“Today we are delivering almost $100 million to the Geelong region and
Great Ocean Road communities in the Corangamite electorate in this
beautiful part of Australia,” Ms Henderson said.
“It includes a commitment of up to $8 million to go towards the
redevelopment of public spaces at Point Grey in Lorne, up to $12 million
to upgrade Apollo Bay Harbour and up to $10 million to help fund a new
ferry terminal at Queenscliff, an important tourist gateway to Geelong
and the Great Ocean Road.
“Apart from $5 million for a new coastal walk connecting Apollo Bay with
Skenes Creek, our City Deal includes funding for a feasibility study to
link Skenes Creek via Lorne to the Surf Coast Walk. We recognise the
need for world class tourism infrastructure to support one of
Australia's most iconic tourist destinations.”
The Great Ocean Road region attracts over six million visitors a
year—more than double the Great Barrier Reef and a million more than the
Blue Mountains—and generated around $1.3 billion in tourist spending in
the year ending June 2017. Visitor numbers are expected to increase by
up to 50 per cent by 2025.
The
City Deal will build on existing investments, helping to deliver the
shared long-term vision for the Geelong region.
The Liberal and Nationals Government will work toward finalising the
deal with the Victorian Government which outlined its commitments
earlier this year.
--ENDS--
Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
Contact: N/A
External Links: https://citydeals.infrastructure.gov.au/geelong
Recent news by: Australian Government