Smart city evolves

Geelong has spruiked itself as a “21st Century Smart City” in a new initiative to lure investment.
Premier Daniel Andrews launched the inaugural Transforming Geelong Roadshow in Melbourne this week, telling attendees the city’s “best days lie ahead”.
“Corporate executives and potential investors” attended the roadshow at a Victorian Government Investment Centre in Collins Street, the event’s organisers said.
“Community and business leaders” representing Geelong included ports and stevedoring specialist Murray Vitlich, Federal MP Sarah Henderson and deputy mayor Bruce Harwood.
Committee for Geelong chief Rebecca Casson called the roadshow an “important platform for drawing attention to the changes that are taking place in Geelong and attracting the investment dollars and talent that will be necessary to drive the city’s prosperous future”.
“We’re asking people to look at Geelong through new eyes and see the unique and attractive package it presents as a business and lifestyle choice,” Ms Casson said.
“It has a regional heartbeat yet is Victoria’s second-largest city. It offers enviable coastal living, yet is less than 60 minutes from the Melbourne CBD.
“Geelong is exciting, affordable, and welcoming.”
The roadshow also highlight Geelong’s residential growth projects, from 225,000 to 300,000 by 2031 and to 500,000 by 2050, the organisers said.
“The roadshow highlights that, with $1.3 billion worth of major development projects underway and with $2.3 billion worth of projects in the pipeline, this growth and the city’s potential is being recognised by investors.”
The event also highlighted Geelong’s transition away from traditional manufacturing industries toward the public service, education, research and cultural opportunities, the organisers said.
“Despite the closures of Alcoa and Ford manufacturing, the employment impact of the relocation of numerous government agency headquarters and other new projects and industries is projected to produce a net gain in jobs by 2017.”
The organisers said a range of Geelong government and business groups were behind the roadshow, including City Hall, State Government, the city’s port management, Viva Energy and regional municipal alliance body G21.