GREENS leader Christine Milne experienced her first taste of Geelong this week and liked what she saw.
“Geelong has huge potential and there are lots of unrealised opportunities here,” she declared.
Senator Milne is on a lengthy familiarisation tour of regional and rural Australia since taking over the party leadership from Greens elder statesman Bob Brown.
“I had visions of an industrial city but the waterfront is lovely,” she said.
“There are unexpected lifestyle opportunities here.”
Sen Milne said local leadership needed to determine Geelong’s brand was as it went about selling the region to the rest of Australia.
She acknowledged Geelong’s transitioning economy, saying it was essential Geelong continued “making things”.
Allowing major manufacturers Shell, Ford and Alcoa to run ageing infrastructure without investment out of fear they would close was a false economy, Senator Milne said.
“If you allow them to run down their facilities without any investment they will be lost to the region.
“Government grants need to be tied to renewable energy for the future. We must insist they use better technology as part of their transition to a sustainable, cheaper power source.”
Senator Milne said Deakin University would play a crucial role in Geelong’s future through research and development.
Geelong had a huge unrealised food production and export opportunity with Avalon Airport on its doorstep to reach Asian markets, she said.
“The (Federal) Government has got its national food plan wrong because it’s focusing on having enough to eat, rather than keeping farmers on the land.
“With the local food security, Geelong is a place where people can make a lifestyle choice.
“Geelong needs better links as Victoria’s second city, through the NBN but also a much-better rail system.”
