Wish List for Geelong

from the Geelong Advertiser:

Geelong leaders release funding priorities as part of 2016 election campaign

ALEX SINNOTTGeelong Advertiser

FROM Malop Street Mall in Geelong to Federation Mall in Canberra — the region’s leaders have called for cash from the nation’s leaders ahead of the upcoming federal election. Committee for Geelong, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce and the City of Greater of Geelong met to outline eight priorities for the region over the next term of government. Avalon Airport’s bid to become an international terminal, Geelong Yacht Club redevelopment, revitalisation of the CBD and providing the financial building blocks for the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre were all listed.

The shared list of priorities has been developed by the three organisations over the past six months in order to provide a united front to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

The nine-point federal agenda includes:

— A government commitment to make Avalon Airport an international terminal;

- $13 million towards the $18 million Malop Street Green Spine project;

— In-principle commitment for the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre;

- $9 million for the Geelong Yacht Club precinct;

— Defence industry jobs for Geelong through the LAND 400 initiative;

- $16.5 million for road work to remove trucks from the Geelong CBD;

— Unspecified funding for the Waurn Ponds to South Geelong rail duplication;

- $2.5 million in matching funding towards the Silicon Bay Project;

and $1 million towards the G21 Region Opportunities for Work program.

City of Greater Geelong investment manager Brett Luxford said any federal government plays an influential role in the development of the region.“Securing funding for these priorities is vital — and even more so in light of recent challenges in Geelong,” he said.

Geelong Chamber of Commerce president Kylie Warne said fixing the commuter and freight bottlenecks across the region had broad popular support.“To grow Geelong as a place where people want to start and grow new businesses, we have toaddress productivity,” she said. “That means fixing the commuter and freight bottlenecks across Geelong and between Geelong and Melbourne.”

Committee for Geelong chairman Dan Simmonds said the Land 400 defence procurement would generate much-needed employment across the region.“Avalon Airport is also so important to our region that both sides of politics must confirm their commitment to supporting Avalon becoming an international terminal.” Mr Simmonds said.