PR firm linked to mayor in City job

Alex de Vos
Geelong’s council is paying a Melbourne public relations company linked with Mayor Peter McMullin to gather signatures for an agreement on progress in Geelong.
City of Greater Geelong hired The Eureka Project to launch the Partnerships for Progress accord last week and to gather signatures from representatives of public and private organisations.
The Eureka Project’s website said director Tony Cutcliffe had served in senior roles with Spotless Group. Cr McMullin’s father founded Spotless and the mayor’s family owns a five per cent stake worth about $50 million.
About 70 local business and public sector leaders joined Cr McMullin and Premier Steve Bracks to launch the accord last week.
Guests had morning tea on Geelong’s waterfront after the launch before a three-course lunch at nearby Le Parisien French restaurant.
The accord had two signatures this week – Mr Bracks and Cr McMullin.
The Eureka Project’s Michelle Morley said the company was chasing nine business and public sector leaders who had agreed to sign the document.
They included Linfox boss Lindsay Fox, Geelong Football Club president Frank Costa and Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Sally Walker.
“Some of them weren’t there (the launch) on the day, so we’re going around collecting their signatures,” Ms Morley said.
The accord committed signatories to developing “positive opportunities” and governing in the best interest of residents.
Other requirements were sharing ideas, information and community data “in an open atmosphere based on trust”.
Cr McMullin said the content of the accord emerged during four round-table discussions with “opinion leaders”.
Contributors included representatives of transport, tourism, sustainability, infrastructure, arts, entertainment and community safety sectors.
Cr McMullin believed the accord established a “new level of collaboration between Geelong’s most influential leadership group”.