By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A state body set up to deliver projects for central Geelong is an “abject failure” that should be disbanded, according to South Barwon MP Andrew Katos.
The Geelong Authority had yet to approve a single project after 10 months of operation, Mr Katos said.
Premier Daniel Andrews had promised the authority would “break the deadlock that has delayed and hindered the major projects that Geelong needs”.
The authority is an advisory committee to Planning Minister Richard Wynne that includes Robert Costa, Janet Dore, Roz Hansen and Jill Smith.
Peter Dorling was its chair but stepped down after the Government appointed him as one of Geelong’s three council administrators.
The establishment of the authority included Mr Wynne assuming responsibility for major planning decisions, streamlining processes and securing “real action for the Geelong community on major projects”.
The authority was “kickstarted” with $500,000 in start-up funds and $3 million to support early on-the-ground works.
But Mr Katos said it was a token board set up to “deceive Geelong residents into thinking the government’s taking action on planning”.
The Andrews government claimed to have established it after losing confidence in Geelong’s council, so the council’s sacking therefore makes the authority redundant, he said.
“Why does the authority even need to exist – to provide advice to the administrators?.
“The members of the Geelong Authority, with all due respect because they are good people, have been dealt a sour lemon in terms of being able to do anything.
“If the minister has the courage of his convictions he should just act. If a major project needs to be sped up he can do it himself.
“He doesn’t need an authority and it should be disbanded.”
Mr Katos said the authority’s inaction had “hamstrung” Geelong’s proposed convention centre, a priority project for the city.
The Geelong Indy reported last week that the proposal was mired in bureaucracy amid confusion over who should lead the project.
Mr Katos said the former coalition government had announced $5 million for a convention centre business case but the Labor Government was sitting on its hands.
“You have Deakin saying they’d entertain having a look at this land but we they have no proposal.
“The State Government needs to fund the business case so they can present something to Deakin.
“I believe it would stack up but let’s do the business case and present it to Deakin and the wider Geelong community.”
The Indy sought a response from State Government but had not received a reply before going to press.
