Ash Bolt
The G21 Geelong Region Alliance has welcomed the state budget’s focus on regional investment but said more would need to be done to address transport infrastructure issues.
The Alliance said the budget provided significant investment in the healthcare sector, which was the region’s largest employer – more than 20,000 workers – and contributed $2.7 billion to gross regional product.
“The healthcare sector requires deep investment to keep pace with the rapidly growing population in the G21 region,” G21 Geelong Region Alliance chief executive Giulia Baggio said.
“Geelong is now the fastest growing city in Australia and we know the majority of new residents are young people and families, so the $500 million investment in the Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital is very timely.
“We also welcome the statewide commitment to add an extra 7000 health workers, including 5000 nurses, to meet this extra demand.”
Ms Baggio said the Alliance also welcomed a $2.6 billion commitment towards the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
“We look forward to hearing more detail on how the state government is planning to allocate $2.6 billion across Geelong and other regional centres to prepare for the regional Commonwealth Games in 2026,” she said.
However Ms Baggio said there was a lack of funding for transport infrastructure projects in the region.
“Major road and public transport improvements will need to be addressed well ahead of the Commonwealth Games, with congestion already choking major routes around Geelong,” she said.
Transport projects in the budget included the introduction of 12 new Vlocity trains, some of which will replace older rolling stock on the Geelong-Warrnambool line, intersection upgrades in Lara, Barwon Heads and on the Bellarine Highway, improved bus services between Torquay and Geelong.
There was also a $2.3 million commitment to revitalise Geelong’s CBD laneways.
The Committee for Geelong also welcomed health funding for the region, but said there were key areas where Geelong had missed out.
“We are disappointed that there was no funding to start planning a much needed new and fit for purpose public transport network, only $2.3 million for works related to Revitalising Central Geelong, no funds for activities related to the Central Geelong Framework Plan, the You Yang cultural tourism precinct project, the proposed Geelong Gallery redevelopment, nor for the state-wide regional community leadership programs including the Leaders for Geelong program in 2023,” chief executive Jennifer Cromarty said.
“We are very conscious that we are in a state election year and are committed to continuing dialogue with the government and opposition as we seek significant commitments for our fast-growing region.”
Torquay-based Western Victoria MP Stuart Grimley said there were some good announcements in the budget but also some “smoke and mirrors at play”.
Mr Grimley welcomed the Women and Children’s Hospital commitment, but said budget papers listed the funding for the project as ‘TBC’ until 2026, which could mean the government was yet to fully cost the project.
“Geelong has been a welcome beneficiary of the state budget, including the Barwon Women and Children’s Hospital,” he said.
“Given this was part of Labor’s 2018 election commitments (which was stated in the Budget paper), I would have thought a plan for financial commitments to the hospital and a project plan would have been completed. I’m not sure if ‘TBC’ cuts the mustard but it’s still great news.
“The Revitalising Central Geelong funding is great. There has been so much already done in the Geelong CBD over the years and it has been very successful. These funds should see a better connection between health and education precincts to the city through the second laneways strategy breakthrough project.
“I’m very pleased that the government has included designing an online reporting model for reporting sexual assaults. I have been a big proponent of this initiative, which included a motion in Parliament. The government has listened to me and will hopefully implement a new service.
“All in all, the budget is okay, there are some good projects and some deserving ones that have missed out. I would have liked to see more detail on some announcements to ensure Western Victoria is getting its fair share.”
