By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG is undergoing a massive billion-plus building boom as it shakes off its manufacturing doldrums and steers toward a new technology and health-driven economy.
Projects from major hospitals and football stadiums through major research centres and residential units to refits and smaller jobs have seen the regional construction sector booming.
The building boom contrasts sharply with the dark picture being painted of Geelong in international media from the Wall Street Journal, Reuters and The Guardian through to even Melbourne media outlet A Current Affair.
Construction projects across the region – either just finished, in progress or on the drawing board – show a marked difference in how investors are viewing Geelong and the region.
The boom comes despite key manufacturers such as Ford, Shell and Alcoa, even Target, shutting, casting off hundreds or selling plants.
Key projects across Geelong include:
. Epworth Hospital at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus, $447 million
. Torquay’s RACV resort $110 million
. Kardinia Park’s Simonds Stadium, with three stages at $100 million and $140 million being sought for stages 4 and 5
. The Australian Future Fibres Research and Innovation Centre at Deakin Waurn Ponds, $104 million
. Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre expansion, $65 million
. St John of God Hospital upgrade, $56 million
. Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training, Deakin Waurn Ponds $55 million
. Regional Community Health Hub (REACH), Deakin University, $53 million
. Student accommodation, Deakin Waurn Ponds, $49 million.
. Geelong Library/Heritage Centre upgrade, $40 million
. 8 Gheringhap multi-storey office/residential, $27 million
. Gordon TAFE East campus $23.6 million
. Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious diseases, $12 million
Additional projects include new science facilities at Newtown’s St Joseph’s College, Little Creatures brewery at South Geelong, a Masters store at Corio, Deakin Waterfront eateries, expansion of Torquay College P12 primary, a new service station on the Geelong Ring Road at Lovely Banks, a new shopping centre at Highton and an upgrade of facilities at Clonard College.
Geelong mayor Keith Fagg said it was disappointing when Geelong was only judged by bad news.
“Those of us who are here know the story is different,” he told the Independent.
“Geelong is a diverse economy. There is a lot of investment in Geelong across a whole range of areas and it’s really pleasing to see a range of government and private investment, these are good signs for the future.
“We’ll have diversification of industries. Things like carbon fibre could be a major game-changer for Geelong, just as Avalon could be a game-changer too through its transport connections.”
