By Darryn Lyons, mayor, City of Greater Geelong
GEELONG’S growing economy is being led by innovation and a strong entrepreneurial spirit – not only in big business but in small business, which makes up 95 percent of our economy.
We are currently experiencing strong population growth – almost two percent a year – in large part because of the fact we are a destination of choice of many Melburnians.
Many significant investment projects are now underway to meet current and future growth demands.
An innovative business culture and strong spirit of collaboration across the public and private sector – along with our 80,000-strong locally sourced workforce are major factors in driving our growing prosperity.
Local housing remains strong, with more than 2000 new homes approved each year.
Geelong offers enormous value for money compared with Melbourne’s outer suburbs. We have the complete package: housing choices, a full range of health, recreation services and employment opportunities.
Economically, Geelong is in a period of transition. Despite some challenges, manufacturing remains the largest contributor to our gross regional product and this will continue to be the case for some time to come.
The new Regional Rail Link has strengthened the important economic relationship between Geelong and Melbourne
We are building a strong, knowledge-based workforce, and this has been a major factor in attracting a range of large new organisations. These include the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), the Transport Accident Commission and other new service sectors including the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), WorkSafe and in 2016 we look forward to the new Epworth Hospital and support services.
Key economic growth sectors at present also include education and training, and professional, scientific and technical services, construction and tourism, new figures for which show double-digit growth in the important category of domestic overnight travel.
