Region strikes lull for project listings

By John Van Klaveren
GEELONG is experiencing a major project lull, according to civic leaders.
State Government’s latest list of priority infrastructure has two Geelong projects, exacerbating disappointment over the loss of promised developments this year.
The project misses include relocating the car trade to Geelong, the choice of Hastings over Bay West as a second container port, downgrading priority of the Avalon rail link and doubts over a the city hosting a Red Bull air race and an NDIS trial.
Mayoral candidate Keith Fagg wanted to see more Geelong-based projects.
“The car trade decision was very disappointing but we have to understand the auto industry was strongly against it.
“We will get disappointments along the way but we need to be out there looking at as many projects as possible.
“In future I’d like to see the City of Greater Geelong do as much advocacy as possible to get a spot on the list.
“I’d like to see Geelong in the mix and advocating actively for infrastructure needs to State Government.
“We need a strong voice at the table so needed projects in our area get as high priority as possible.”
Committee for Geelong executive director and Regional Development Australia vice-chair Peter Dorling said planning for the next wave of projects was underway.
“While we don’t have a lot of Geelong-centric projects in there, we’re at the planning stage for a few.”
Mr Dorling said Infrastructure Australia had indicated a long-range plan for the development of Port of Geelong was needed.
He said planning for the next stage of Geelong’s ring road to the Bellarine Peninsula was also underway, as reported in last week’s Independent.
“One project on the list that is important for Geelong is Melbourne’s east-west transport link.
“Geelong drivers have been struggling to get in and out of Melbourne for some time and this will help, provided it has a connection to the Melbourne central area.
“We have also done fairly well with the regional rail project, which gives us the opportunity to open the intercity rail links to Ballarat and Bendigo.”
Premier Ted Baillieu said State Government was investing a record $5.8 billion in infrastructure.