Geelong Regional Alliance (G21) has welcomed the federal government’s announcement of a big funding boost for Avalon.
Deputy prime minister and member for Corio Richard Marles and minister for Infrastructure Catherine King announced on Friday Avalon Airport and employment precinct had received a downpayment of $5 million to kickstart the precinct’s growth as a “strategic transport and logistics hub”.
G21 chief executive Giulia Baggio said the announcement was “fantastic news”.
“Most importantly, we now have a concrete commitment in writing to develop Victoria’s second airport, transport links and a major business zone which is set to house a significant defence manufacturing industry. 10,000 jobs will flow for G21 and Wyndham workforces,” Ms Baggio said.
“Securing investment in the Avalon precinct is a top three election priority for G21, City of Greater Geelong and Committee for Geelong, and shows that highly coordinated collaboration pays dividends for our communities.
“Congratulations to the G21 mayors and CEOs who have advocated with federal departments and ministers in recent months and years.
“G21 looks forward to a matching election commitment from our Coalition MPs and bi-partisan support to realise Avalon’s full potential.”
The statement from G21 comes just ahead of the budget period, a time when local municipal members City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire and the Borough of Queenscliffe must commit funding to the alliance as part of their membership.
In 2023 the City of Greater Geelong, which was paying more than $500,000 in membership fees, withdrew from the G21 citing budgetary constraints. The City returned to the fold a year later with a revised membership fee of $250,000.
G21 board chair Melissa Stephens said “strong regional collaboration” was “more important than ever as our population continues to grow at a rapid rate”.
“G21’s strategic planning work and development of priority projects to attract investment to the region is well known and highly regarded in Canberra and Spring Street,” Ms Stephens said.
“Our regional mayors will continue to lead the advocacy effort as we manage financial headwinds affecting local government budgets.”
