By Luke Voogt
Central Geelong and Shipwreck Coast will take the lion’s share a $355 million City Deal after Geelong councillors voted on Tuesday night to contribute $17.43 million.
Council endorsed the Geelong City Deal with a confirmation of its commitment to the 10-year plan.
“This is an exciting time for the greater Geelong region,” Mayor Bruce Hardwood said.
“The council and many others have worked hard for several years to get these projects funded, particularly the Geelong convention and exhibition centre and the Geelong Safe Harbour plan.”
Council committed $7.28 million toward the Gheringhap St drain works, $3 million for a Geelong convention centre and $3 million to central Geelong revitalisation works.
City Hall’s commitments, subject to budget endorsement, also included $3 million toward Geelong Safe Harbour project, $900,000 for smart parking and $250,000 for initiatives such as safety cameras.
The endorsement followed both state and federal governments boosting their funding commitments to City Deal earlier this month.
An additional $48 million brought the total Commonwealth’s contribution to $183.8 million, with State Government providing the remaining $172 million.
State Government dedicated $141 million to a convention centre and the Commonwealth amount for the project remained at $30 million under their respective City Deal contributions.
“We are tremendously lucky to have the deal, many cities are fighting for this funding,” said Trent Sullivan, council’s deputy chair of economic development.
City Deal will also provide $108.15 million Shipwreck Coast Master Plan, $27.5 million for Great Ocean Road infrastructure, $7.6 million for Deakin University’s Future Economy Precinct and $10 million for Queenscliff Ferry Terminal.
