Geelong council has continued to play an active role in promoting Geelong businesses and connecting local industry leaders with project opportunities.
This week the City hosted the Industry Capability Network’s (ICN) Geelong Regional Showcase at the Wurriki Nyal civic precinct, bringing together local suppliers and major project owners, developers and contractors.
The event focused on connecting regional suppliers with opportunities in the infrastructure and energy sectors in Geelong and beyond.
Senior representatives from VicGrid, AusNet, FCC Citizen Services and Terra Verde shared insights and updates on significant upcoming projects, giving attendees the chance to position themselves for procurement opportunities, network with new contacts and explore collaboration possibilities.
The ICN event followed the Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong (AFCG) workshop in late June, where public and private sector experts explored how innovative Geelong products could play a significant role in meeting the current and future needs of the nation, particularly in relation to Australia’s housing crisis.
Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said hosting industry events and leading discussions around economic development reinforced Geelong’s position as a destination for small and big business.
“Geelong has a proud manufacturing identity, it’s part of our story. Importantly, we continue to evolve as a City with diverse businesses,” Mayor Kontelj said.
“It’s about adapting to new industries, embracing innovation, and creating new jobs for the future.
“This is vital in supporting the needs of our rapidly growing population.”
According to the City’s data exchange, there are currently 178 major projects valued at more than $10 million in the pipeline for Greater Geelong.
The five biggest projects are the Greater Avalon Business Park ($3.3b), the Regional Rail Revival Project Geelong Line Upgrade ($1b), the Waurn Ponds Innovation, Education and Healthcare Precinct ($600m), the Barwon Women’s and Children’s Hospital ($500m) and the Barwon Solar Farm ($450m).
The council’s chair of Economic Development Cr Trent Sullivan said bringing the brightest minds in business and industry together in Geelong would open doors to new opportunities.
“This is what smart economic development looks like,” Cr Sullivan said.
“Providing a platform for these events is just one way to drive us closer to our goals. It’s exciting to know the connections made at our very own civic precinct could lead to something much bigger.”
