By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG’S construction sector “is going gangbusters” in the face of a tightening economy, with almost $1 billion in projects presently under way and another $2 billion in the wings.
With major building projects completed in the past year totalling $650 million, Mayor Darryn Lyons said cranes across the city’s skyline underscored a burgeoning economy attracting investment and a reputation for technology and human capital.
Key projects driving Geelong’s building industry include:
* stage one Epworth Geelong Hospital, due for completion mid-2016, $277m;
* Princes Hwy duplication, Waurn Ponds to Winchelsea, $170m;
* University Hospital Geelong expansion, $93m;
* Baanip Blvd, section 4C Geelong ring road, $90m;
* St Mary’s Terrace apartment development, $65m;
* Centre for Advanced Design in Engineering Training, $55m; and
* Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, $45m.
“Geelong is going gangbusters – just look at the cranes on the city skyline as you travel around central Geelong,” Cr Lyons said.
“Our economy has been diversifying for some years and now has a broad industry base.
“There are clear precincts and industry clusters developing. We’re rapidly gaining a reputation for excellence in technological capacity and human capital.
“Key growth sectors are emerging, including health care and social services, education and research, advanced manufacturing, tourism, finance, insurance and professional services, ICT and agribusiness.”
Cr Lyons said a recent survey of business confidence found that more than 70 per cent of businesses in the Geelong region expect increased profitability over the next 12 months.
Other major projects either awaiting a start or in the planning stages include:
* Port of Geelong infrastructure works, $500m;
* Princes Hwy duplication, Winchelsea to Colac, $374m;
* Geelong Performing Arts Centre redevelopment, $140m;
* Drysdale bypass, continuation of Geelong ring road, $110m;
* Warralily Village Shopping Centre, $100m;
* Balmoral Quay development, Rippleside, $80m; and
* Simonds Stadium stage four redevelopment, $90m
Recent projects completed across Geelong include works at St John of God Hospital $67m, Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre $65m, Deakin Waterfront campus $40m, Deakin Waurn Ponds student housing $39m, University Hospital Geelong ICU $36m, Carbon Nexus $34m.
Other sizeable projects and proposals across Geelong include a new Palais, National Hotel, works at Kardinia College, The Gordon, multi-storey office blocks on Malop, Gheringhap and Myers Streets in central Geelong, Corio Quay grain terminal and the former Geelong Technical School on Moorabool Street.
