$30m centre a ‘factory-saver’

A $30 MILLION joint project will try to save Geelong’s existing manufacturers while creating new “industries” in the sector.
Geelong’s council and Deakin University announced the Manufacture Geelong project this week with a call for $10 million in federal funding.
Councillor Bruce Harwood said the “investment ready project” was a “fantastic partnership”.
Manufacture Geelong would “support the competitiveness of existing manufacturers and create new local manufacturing industries”, he said.
“The Manufuture Geelong hub will be located within the Geelong Innovation Precinct at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus. It will provide working spaces and shared facilities to support tomorrow’s manufacturers.
“It will encourage collaboration and provide businesses – from startups through to multinationals – with access to advance manufacturing technology, Deakin University researchers and facilities, front-of-office support, business and legal services and marketing support.”
Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said progressing Australia’s “smart 21st Century manufacturing capability” and ensuring the “jobs of the future” for Geelong were critical.
“Universities educate and they create jobs -Manufuture Geelong will be an excellent example of this contribution from Deakin,” Prof den Hollander said.
Manufacture Geelong would seek $10 million in funding from a federal infrastructure funding program for projects supporting economic growth and sustainability in regional Australia. The program requires projects to start within 12 months of signing a funding agreement and be complete by the end of 2019.
Council will also apply to the fund for $6 million to complete stage two of the Leopold Community Hub.
Leopold ward councilor Rod Macdonald said the works would build on existing children’s services at the hub, which opened earlier this year.
“Leopold is growing quickly and these facilities are vital so that we can cater for the needs of new and existing residents.”