SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010CITY OF GREATER GEELONG
GEELONG: OPEN FOR BUSINESS
GENERATING REGIONAL EMPLOYMENT
THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE
Geelong - located 75km south west of State Capital,
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
south west of State Capital, Melbourne
About the
People City of Greater Geelong
• 220,000 residents (2010)
• An additional 58,000 residents anticipated by 2026
• Annual growth rate 1.4%
• Labourforce of 91,930
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
• Unemployment rate in Barwon Western District was 5% (ABS 12 month average to June 2009) compared to the Victorian State figure of 5.1%
• 11,100 workers commuteto Melbourne each day – 3,153 people commute from Melbourne to Geelong.
Business profile
Major industries include: (ABS 2006)
Industry Employees
Manufacturing 15,505 20%Retail Trade 14,887 19%Health Care & Social
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
Health Care & Social Services 13,228 17%
Construction 10,249 13% Education & Training 9,690 12%Accom & Food Services 7,562 9%Public Admin & Safety 6,363 8%
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
Strategic Growth Sectors– Knowledge, Innovation and Research– Advanced Manufacturing– Health– Tourism– Small, Micro and Home Based Business– Food and Horticulture
Geelong Economic Development Strategy 2005-2010Geelong, Smart Thinking
– Food and Horticulture
Foundation Projects– Infrastructure– Workforce Skills and Capacity
Bridging Initiatives– Investment Attraction– Strategic Partnerships and Alliances– Investment Facilitation
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
The Open for Business Commitment
Geelong is a city ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS’.
This is not just a phrase, it is a commitment that underpins our approach to Economic Development.
Our objective is to be open and flexible, to facilitate rather than regulate, and to adopt a partnership approach in all our economic development activities.
Geelong’s community leaders are united in Geelong’s community leaders are united in transitioning the economy for the future through the following actions:
•Providing strong leadership and fostering regional collaboration
•Brokering major projects and investment
•Supporting existing businesses and driving strategic growth sectors
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
GEELONG RING RD EMPLOYMENT PRECINCT
The North East Industrial Precinct of Armstrong Creek will be
something not seen before in the Geelong region and include:
– High tech focus
– Research and design
– Large campus style developments (ie: co-location)
– Smart / sustainable building design
North East Industrial Precinct
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
Current Economic Development Projects
Industry Clusters
Why work with clusters?• Bring together “related or complementary” businesses and encourage them to work together on strategic projects that stimulate jobs and investment for the future.stimulate jobs and investment for the future.
•State Government funds the development of industry clusters
•Clusters currently operating in GeelongFoodBiotechnologyICT (Information, Communication & Technology)EngineeringAgribusiness
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
Geelong Skilled Migration Project
Background:
City of Greater Geelong (Economic Development Unit) is funded by the VictorianState Government's Skilled Migration Strategy to source, attract and retain skilled professionals from overseas to fill genuine skill shortages.
11 Victorian Regions participate in the program (Geelong Region, Ballarat, Bendigo, Goulburn Murray, Grampians Pyrenees, Wimmera Southern Mallee, Mildura, North East Victoria, Swan Hill, Great South Coast and Wodonga).
Program duration January 2008 - June 2010. Program has received another 12 months funding whilst State Strategy is being reviewed.
Program target was 100 employment outcomes. A further 40 during the project extension.
Project Aim:
Underpin ongoing development and growth of Geelong’s key sectors to ensure employers have access to the workforce they need.
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
Geelong Skilled Migration Project
Achievements so far:
• Delivered a Regional Skill Shortage Survey. Pinpoint sectors with existing and anticipated (next 12 months) vacancies. Allowed us to target sectors that need the greatest assistance Health and Community Services, Manufacturing and Hospitality. Results useful across a range of other regional projects.
• Participation in joint promotional initiatives with the State Government. Working closely with State Government to ensure that local vacancies are promoted at international expo’s such as G’Day UK, and that Geelong features in promotional materials.in promotional materials.
• Introduced a series of retention strategies to welcome new arrivals. This includes Social Networking Events & Newsletters. Currently trialling a “Buddy” system with Council staff.
• Developed a series of web based guides and tools. Useful for both skilled professionals and employers to assist in understanding regional skill needs and promoting Geelong as a location of choice.
• During the life of this program and former program (RMIF) we estimate that 350 skilled professionals and their family members have moved to Geelong (850 people).
THE NEXT CHAPTER IN DELIVERING GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE GEELONG – G21 REGION
• The G21 Regional Land Use Plan
The G21 alliance have combined resources and leveraged State Government
support to undertake a Land Use Plan for the whole region to guide growth, development and infrastructure provision over the next 30+ years.
• The G21 Economic Development Strategy
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
• The G21 Economic Development Strategy
The region have further combined to prepare an evidenced based strategy on
the competitive advantages of the region and with actions to grow these advantages and increase the strength of the region generally.
Immediate work being undertaken on Work Force/Training Strategy across health and advanced manufacturing to strengthen training to develop future work force.
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
Transport Accident Commissions Relocation
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
MHG Takeover of Viridian Saves Jobs
Geelong Innovation Investment Fund
Dulhuntly Power LtdRPC Technologies Pty Ltd
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010
Economics analysis found that the Geelong
region’s libraries generate economic activity in the following ways:
• $26,800,000 income generation
• $3,690,000 in value added income generation• $3,690,000 in value added income generation
• 168 jobs in host economies
• $7.46 economic benefit and $4.23 economic activity for every dollar invested in libraries.
Questions
SEGRA CONFERENCE - TOWNSVILLE 2010