Institure opens chapter in city development

Peter Farago
A MOVE by Victoria’s peak lobbyist for developers to set up in Geelong show’s the city’s importance as a major regional centre, according to Geelong Chamber of Commerce chief executive Lawrie Miller.
Urban Development Institute of Australia last week launched its Geelong chapter.
“It’s a demonstration of how they see the importance of Geelong as a major regional centre,” Mr Miller said.
“The greater Geelong region has a population of 235,000 people. That’s the same size as the Wollongong-Illawarra region of New South Wales.
“They really have recognised themselves that there is potential for major development growth opportunities.
“And we’re seeing a lot of these signs in recent times,” Mr Miller said.
Mr Miller said Geelong had really come of age as not just the second biggest city in Victoria, but the eighth or ninth in the nation.
“Geelong is really hitting its straps,” he said.
“It’s going to go gangbusters,” Mr Miller predicted.
Mr Miller said the institute’s arrival coincided with a move of the local economy away from a traditional reliance on manufacturing industries.
“We’re seeing less reliance on manufacturing, which is unfortunate, but we’ve got greater diversity and that brings greater opportunity,” he said.
“That’s the sign of a well-balanced and well-rounded economic future.”
The institute lobbies government and other authorities on behalf of members, with targets ranging from taxes and government policy to individual development applications.
Victorian executive director Tony De Domenico said the institute had decided to open a Geelong chapter after noting the region’s “enormous growth potential”.
Mr De Domenico cited Armstrong Creek, on Geelong’s southern outskirts, and coastal areas as the biggest development front in Australia.
The Independent’s parent company, Star News Group, will sponsor the institute’s annual state conference in Geelong on October 11 and 12.