Lobby to cash in on council again

Geelong’s council has agreed to continue paying the lion’s share of funding to the region’s municipal alliance group.
Geelong could also increase its funding for G21 by about 15 per cent, with council to consider committing $463,390 in next financial year’s budget.
The organisation’s five member councils – Geelong, Surf Coast, Queenscliffe, Golden Plains, Colac Otway – chip in based on their population sizes, meaning City Hall pays substantially more than the others.
G21 Geelong Regional Alliance works with government, business and community groups to identify local priorities and lobby for funding.
Geelong’s funding for G21 has previously been subject to debate, with councillor Bruce Harwood calling for a review in 2013 and the same year a Liberal MP questioned whether the organisation was value for money.
Then-G21 board director Barbara Abley hit back, calling the “perennial attacks” on its value to the region “unfounded and not factual”.
The organisation, which has former Labor MP Elaine Carbines as chief executive officer, has been drawing council funding since its formation in 2002.
This week the council agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding to “lock in its participation” again until 2020.
Mayor Darryn Lyons backed the council’s ongoing involvement in G21.
He listed some of its 2016 priority projects as “addressing disadvantage”, a Yarra Street pier for cruise ships, Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct, central city revitalisation, and regional rail connections, “among others”.
“Since starting in 2002 the G21 Geelong Region Alliance has been widely recognised as a successful working example of a whole-of-government approach to regional planning and development,” Cr Lyons said.
“The Geelong alliance has worked hard on projects like Portarlington Safe Harbour, Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area and Geelong Future Cities.
“By signing the updated memorandum of understanding, the City of Greater Geelong is re-confirming our commitment to join together in leadership and continue the alliance’s long-term plan to develop this great region.”