A $7.5 MAKEOVER central Geelong could create almost 90 jobs after the latest pre-election commitment to the city.
The Napthine Government announced on Wednesday $3 million to complete funding for City Hall’s Central Geelong Revitalisation Project.
Premier Dennis Napthine also announced $7 billion for a Drysdale-Clifton Springs sport precinct and $6.3 million to upgrade Belmont High School.
“I am delighted to see the ongoing development of the City of Greater Geelong, Victoria’s biggest regional city,” Mr Napthine said.
The revitalisation project would have “numerous social, economic and environmental benefits” for Geelong, he said.
“It will enhance liveability, create new opportunities for property and business investments, expand demand and supply of goods and services and attract visitors and new residents.”
Mr Napthine said the project had “potential” to create 45 direct jobs and 40 indirectly “due to enhanced business opportunities”.
Mayor Darryn Lyons said the money committed to the revitalisation project so far would upgrade a “critical” city precinct around Malop, Lt Malop, James and Short Sts and Shorts Pl.
Improvements would include smoother links between key precincts, beautification works and part of a proposed “green spine” in the city centre, Cr Lyons said.
“This part of central Geelong has the potential to mirror the laneway atmosphere of Melbourne but without the traffic and congestion hassles.”
The Government’s announcement’s followed Labor committing earlier in the week to spending $70 million on further upgrades at Simonds Stadium and $30 million on Geelong Performing Arts Centre.
The stadium upgrade would lift its seating to 36,000 and could encourage extra use of the facility, Labor said.
Both funding allocations would create hundreds of jobs, Labor leader Daniel Andrews said.
Sports Minister Damian Drum later slammed the stadium funding as “typical Labor waste”.
