A high-level City of Greater Geelong forum to revitalise Central Geelong has successfully generated positive and ambitious ideas to fast-track needed change.
The forum saw key people connected to Central Geelong in one room, with councillors, elected state and federal representatives from both sides of politics, land owners, investors and developers discussing the critical issues affecting the CBD and ideas to overcome them.
The key issues raised at the forum included:
- the creation of a Special Economic Zone
- the Integrated Transport Plan, with consideration of a City Loop bus
- possible tax concessions
- the need for collaboration between all levels of government and the private and community sectors to drive investment and prioritisation of works
- supercharging the night time economy
- potential changes to heritage building regulations to enable activation and first floor living
attracting the 16,000 residents into Central Geelong through 'Living 3220'
- implementing the Central Geelong framework to ensure return-on-investment for developments.
The discussion comes at a critical time for the CBD, with the impending completion of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, which is expected to bring tens of thousands of people to the area each year.
Work is now underway to collate all the insights gathered from the forum to determine priorities for advocacy and the next steps for implementation.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM:
Making our CBD great motivated me to run for council and I'm determined to lead a united vision to transform the heart of our city.Council and I don't have all the answers, which is why I convened this forum, and everyone in the room had invaluable insights and ideas to contribute.
Director of Ramsey Property Group and chair of the forum's panel Samantha Ramsey:
Every city faces challenges.I was thrilled to be involved in the CBD Revitalisation Forum, which brought together key stakeholders that allowed for meaningful discussion and provided genuine actionable and tangible suggestions to address the challenges we face in Geelong CBD to enhance this beautiful city.
Host of the Local Government News Roundup podcast and forum Master of Ceremonies Chris Eddy:
It was a pleasure to be involved as MC for the forum.There was terrific engagement in the room, and boundless enthusiasm and passion to capitalise on opportunities for Victoria's second largest city.
