By DR KATHY ALEXANDER, CITY OF GREATER GEELONG COUNCIL ADMINISTRATORS CHAIR
Geelong is thriving as Victoria’s second-largest city, offering a fantastic lifestyle and amenities.
As the region’s population grows by a predicted 100,000 residents by 2020, the City of Greater Geelong will continue to provide high-quality services that will benefit our expanding community.
In the last year we’ve opened the doors to some fantastic community facilities, such as the Shell Road Memorial Pavilion, a redeveloped Austin Park and Bellarine’s Sports and Aquatic Centre gym.
Our Library and Heritage Centre has been a major addition to the city, and we were proud to deliver what has become a cultural landmark for the region.
Geelong continues to invest in expansion projects, including Armstrong Creek and two major growth areas in the region’s western suburbs, which are set to house more than 100,000 residents by 2030 – about half our current population.
Our Central Geelong Action Plan, the blueprint for revitalisation of the CBD, is progressing and will ensure we have a 21st Century city centre.
Construction will begin soon on stage one of a Green Spine in the commercial heart of the city, turning Malop Street into a beautiful botanic walk.
As we work to realise our revitalisation vision, Central Geelong’s vibrancy and amenities have already attracted new development, including a 14-storey Worksafe building at 1 Malop Street, and large-scale plans for 44 Ryrie Street.
Geelong faces the challenges of rapid growth, economic change and uncertainty, compounded by technological change and the need to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change.
To ensure we can continue to have a great lifestyle we must plan to address these challenges and be unified on a clear set of strategies going forward.
As the City’s newly-appointed administrators, Peter Dorling, Laurinda Gardner and I are excited to collaborate with residents, businesses and community organisations to develop a unified strategic plan for our city, and to continue the journey of reinventing Geelong.
