by Luke Voogt
Geelong unemployment fell to an 11-year low of 4.4 per cent last December after dropping from 4.9 per cent last November, according to ABS data.
The 10 per cent reduction marked the lowest figures since February 2009, when the rate hit 4.3 per cent.
Male and female unemployment also hit long-time lows of 4.2 and 4.7 per cent respectively.
State Government lauded the recent result “amid economic headwinds”, stating regional Victoria was ahead of the rest of rural Australia.
In the three months to December 7600 people in Geelong found a job, among the 23,000 additional jobs in the rest of regional Victoria, according to government.
Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes credited the government’s infrastructure projects for the result.
“Victoria’s strong economic management and unprecedented investment in health, education, roads and public transport continues to create jobs in regional Victoria,” she said.
“Despite the difficult national and international economic conditions, our infrastructure boom is creating thousands of new jobs across the state, helping more regional Victorians build great lives for themselves and their families.”
Regional Victoria’s unemployment rate remains at 3.7 per cent, below the overall Australian average of 5.2 per cent.
In a blow to local jobs several retail chains closed shop in central Geelong recently, including Dimmeys and Bardot.
But numerous new residential, commercial and government high-rise buildings and new estates, such as at Armstrong Creek, have driven growth in construction jobs.
State Government recently committed $100 million for the design and early construction of a women’s and children’s hospital on the former Geelong Private Hospital site.
Federal Government pledged an extra $50 million towards the project in the lead up to last year’s election.
Meanwhile Geelong’s council last October announced it would contribute $102.5 million to a new $200 million headquarters precinct, which it said would create 900 local construction jobs.
Shadow jobs minister Mary Mooldridge did not respond to the Independent’s request for comment.
