By NOEL MURPHY
IMAGINE Geelong with a population of 500,000 – twice what it is today.
For many people, this regional megalopolis is something they will see well within their lifetime. It’s the forecast population for Geelong in 2050, 37 years from now.
Right now, the G21 Geelong Region Alliance is looking to plan roads, services, housing, business precincts, open space, all manner of aspects for Geelong of the future.
All up, it has some 240 projects on the drawing board and it wants the public to offer its take on them.
It’s all part of putting into place a G21 regional growth plan the State Government gave the nod in April – an implementation plan.
“Essentially, we are now taking the planning down to the next level of detail to ensure the elements of the growth plan are put in place effectively,” G21 CEO Elaines Carbines told the Independent.
The G21 plan includes an infrastructure plan, detailed data on existing residential and industrial land supply, analysis of long-term growth opportunities, and ways to ensure enough housing choice in the future.
Ms Carbines said the infrastructure elements within plan were a first for Victoria.
Key projects include: Avalon airport; Geelong port, a ring road link to the Bellarine, a new GPAC, a Great Ocean Road upgrade, transport links to Armstrong Creek and Torquay, Midland Highway duplication to Bannockburn, Princes highway duplication to Colac, a new Yarra St pier, ring road links to the port and adjoining ring road employment precinct.
“We are now at the stage where we need the wider community’s input,” Ms Carbines said.
“I’d encourage people to take an interest in the future of their region and planning for its inevitable growth.”
Open-house drop-in information sessions will be held at Bannockburn, Queenscliff, Torquay, Colac, Geelong and Lara. More information is at G21regionalgrowthplan.com.au.
