Planning is now underway for Geelong’s new City Deal, opening with discussions held yesterday between federal, state and local government representatives and local business and community organisations.
The Geelong deal – which was announced last month alongside an equivalent deal for Hobart – will reportedly help coordinate infrastructure planning and funding arrangements between federal, state, and local governments.
Yesterday’s meeting was, ostensibly, the first step towards determining the substantive content of the deal. While remaining quiet on what those details might be, federal urban infrastructure and cities minister, Paul Fletcher, was keen to promote the benefits of collaborative planning between different levels of government and local industries.
“Geelong is Victoria’s second-largest city and Australia’s second fastest growing city, and its economy is rapidly diversifying,” Fletcher said.
“The City Deal offers an opportunity for three levels of government to come together to develop a plan to further stimulate that growth and diversity.”
Fletcher co-chaired the meeting with Daniel Mulino, the Victorian parliamentary secretary for treasury and finance, who said that that it was vital that the Geelong deal was tailored to meet local needs.
“Undoubtedly locals will know best the issues impacting them,” Mulino said. “Today’s stakeholder forum has given us an opportunity to further refine the details of the deal, including opportunities for investment and reform, and the governance mechanisms needed for implementation.”
So far, few details have emerged regarded what projects will be part of the deal, save scattered mentions during last month’s announcement of improved services on the rail line to Warrnambool.
Sarah Henderson, who is the federal member for Corangamite, nonetheless regarded the speedy commencement of negotiations as an encouraging sign for the planning process going forward.
“Our discussions are focusing on a range of priorities including employment, infrastructure and transport, planning and how as a region we make the most of opportunities in the visitor economy,” Henderson said.