Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus
Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct
Geelong’s future employment precinct is here
GEELONG, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
GREP.COM.AU
City of Greater Geelong
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Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus
The Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct offers Industrial land with a unique
combination of value, services and location.
The Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct (GREP) is Geelong’s largest designated
precinct for industrial development. Strategically located to the City’s north, it
encompasses 500 hectares of land zoned for heavy industrial purposes with
significant opportunities for Greenfield development.
About Geelong
Geelong is Victoria’s largest provincial city and is located 75km south west of the state capital
Melbourne. The Geelong region is home to 260,000 residents.
Geelong has a well established reputation for meeting the needs of business and industry. More than
20,000 business enterprises operate locally supported by a workforce of 135,000.
GREP is one of only a few areas available within Victoria with Industrial 2 zoned land.
The Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct is an ideal location for any business seeking to
establish, expand or relocate their operations. Key attributes of the precinct include:

Proximity to the Victorian capital, Melbourne

Strategically positioned to access all forms of transport: road, rail, sea and air

Competitively priced land designed to meet business needs with zoning for all industrial
purposes and established development guidelines.

A range of infrastructure and services to facilitate development.

Highly skilled workforce

Quality lifestyle
GREP is now ready for development.
Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct – Your Future is Here …
City of Greater Geelong
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Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus
Proximity to Melbourne – Victoria’s capital city
GREP is strategically located to Geelong’s north, only 40 minutes drive via the Princes Freeway to
Melbourne’s central business district. Many international head office operations are based in
Melbourne.
Melbourne’s industrial and logistics heart is focused on its western suburbs. GREP offers perfect
connectivity to supply chain operations located in the western suburbs and the strong capable work
force that reside in surrounding areas. An estimated labour force of 350,000 people lives within a 40
minute drive of GREP.
Geelong plays an important role in the long term development of Victoria. The city is earmarked for
continued expansion as Melbourne reaches the limits of its growth. Developer interest in the
Geelong region is at an all time high.
Geelong’s industrial capability for manufacturing and processing of products is underpinned by a
range of highly developed infrastructure and transport and logistics services. Key regional strengths
include automotive components, petroleum, alumina, fertilizers, grains wood chips and logs, heavy
engineering, aerospace and food processing. Over recent years Geelong has expanded its expertise
in sectors such as health, tourism, advanced manufacturing, education, information, communication
and technology and research and development.
Strategically Positioned
GREP offers seamless connections to markets across Victoria, Australia and around the world.
GREP is accessible by all modes of transport: road, rail, sea and air. Such connectivity is not often
found outside capital cities.
Road
Geelong is well connected to other major cities by a network of national and state highways and
major roads.
GREP provides ready access to Melbourne (40 minutes) via the Princes Freeway. The Western Ring
Road (35 minutes) links the Princes Freeway to the Tullamarine (Calder) Freeway and Hume
Freeway (to Sydney) creating a road link free of traffic lights between GREP and New South Wales.
The Geelong Ring Road which runs adjacent to GREP also connects to the Princes Freeway West to
Colac, the Midland Highway to Ballarat and the Hamilton Highway and beyond into Victoria’s rich
agricultural centres to the north and west and across the border into South Australia.
Heavy transport vehicles such as B Doubles can access GREP
Rail
Standard and broad gauge rail lines run directly past GREP.
A private rail spur previously operated into the precinct. The feasibility of re-establishing this rail spur
is being investigated.
North Geelong is a major rail freight hub allowing goods – ranging from bulk shipments to parcels – to
be widely and efficiently distributed within Victoria and interstate. Many Geelong firms take
advantage of this distribution channel to reach their markets.
A state-wide campaign is underway to connect the standard gauge rail line through Ballarat and
Mildura (Victoria) to Broken Hill in New South Wales. The link would provide Geelong with access to
City of Greater Geelong
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Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus
the National Interstate Network and a direct connection for rail freight from Perth and Darwin. When
this connection is made, the transcontinental system will provide additional competitive advantage to
Geelong based business.
Sea
The Port of Geelong, a dedicated bulk handling facility, is located six kilometres from GREP. The
Port of Geelong is Australia’s sixth largest facility handling over 12 million tonnes of trade per annum.
The Port is privately owned and operated.
The Port of Melbourne, one of Australia’s busiest container shipment facilities, is located to the City’s
west and only 40 minutes from GREP. The Port of Melbourne offers state-of-the-art facilities and
product can be containerised in around 50 minutes.
Air
Avalon Airport is 12 kilometres north of GREP via the Princes Freeway.
The airport is owned and operated by Linfox.
Avalon Airport is a major employment centre in the Geelong - Melbourne Corridor and continues to
expand its operation. The airport is working to establish itself as a major international airfreight
centre.
The airport already manages international airfreight movements, particularly freight
associated with major Melbourne events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. Avalon Airport has
first port of entry rights – Australian Customs Service and Australian Quarantine Inspection Service
Approved.
Two domestic passenger airlines Jetstar and Tiger Airways are based at Avalon. 2,800 passengers
transit through Avalon Airport each day. The airport offers services to a wide range of destinations
across Australia.
Melbourne International Airport and associated freight facilities are only 55 minutes by road via the
Western Ring Road and Tullamarine Freeway.
City of Greater Geelong
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Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus
Industrial land to meet industry needs
GREP offers prime industrial land to meet business needs.
The precinct includes flexibility of lot sizes to accommodate a range of development options. More
than 500 hectares of land are available, with 327 hectares on offer for greenfield development. Land
allotments vary from 4,000 square metres to five hectare lots. Larger parcels are available by
negotiation.
Land within GREP is competitively priced compared to equivalent land parcels in metropolitan
Melbourne. A range of tenure options including ownership or leasing is available from both the
Council and private developers.
Land within GREP is level which avoids unnecessary constructions costs. Zoning buffers protect
industrial land from residential encroachment.
The unique offering of greenfield industrial land is rarely available so close to a capital city.
Industrial Zones for any Industrial Purpose
The Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct is zoned to meet any industrial purpose.
GREP offers allotments zoned Industrial 1 (IN1Z) and Industrial 2 (IN2Z) under Victorian Planning
Provisions.
The combination of industrial zoning provides great flexibility for investors. The Industrial 1 Zone
provides for manufacturing, storage and goods distribution type uses. The Industrial 2 Zone provides
for heavier industry applications including port related uses and industries that require substantial
buffers.
Zoning within GREP is arranged to maximise the benefits for industry. Each zone offers flexibility of
lot sizes to accommodate everything from large scale production activities to smaller scale service,
storage and manufacturing uses. Each zone can accommodate specific business requirements such
as services, high exposure, transport access, buffers and consideration of compatible uses.
Industrial Estate Planned for Fast and Easy Development
Urban Design Guidelines
The City of Greater Geelong has prepared Urban Design Guidelines for GREP to inform building and
landscape design. The design vision for GREP is that of a high amenity employment precinct with
set standards for operational efficiency and the working environment.
The guidelines address access and transport within the precinct; development envelopes; building
design standards; water sensitive urban design; landscape design and site amenity. The guidelines
encourage innovative design including contemporary style building forms that respond specifically to
a given site. Environmentally sustainable design principles are also fundamental to the development
of the precinct.
The Urban Design Guidelines will ensure that development principles within GREP are achieved.
Sustainable transport is facilitated to and within GREP through the provision of footpaths, walking
trails and bicycle lanes.
City of Greater Geelong
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Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus
Native Vegetation
A Native Vegetation Precinct Plan (NVPP) is underway to provide clear direction regarding the
treatment of the native vegetation across the site. The NVPP meets with the requirements of Clause
52.16, Clause 81.01 and the Environmental Significant Overlay, Schedule 4 of the Greater Geelong
Planning Scheme. When the NVPP is adopted it will exempt all future proposals for vegetation
removal from a planning permit.
Cultural Heritage
No recorded cultural heritage sites have been identified within GREP that need to be addressed as
part of a development proposal.
Supportive Local Government
The City of Greater Geelong is preparing the way for development by building the infrastructure
needed for development and smoothing the way with the planning processes such as the preparation
of the Native Vegetation Precinct Plan.
The City has established a dedicated Business Facilitation Group to provide further information and
discuss investment opportunities. We can assist with pre application inquiries to help ensure that
when permits are lodged they have addressed key issues, thereby avoiding unnecessary delays.
City of Greater Geelong
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Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus
A Range of Infrastructure and Services
The City of Greater Geelong, in partnership with the Victorian State Government and existing land
owners in GREP, are undertaking a comprehensive program to provide key infrastructure to GREP.
Stage One, currently underway, includes the construction of O’Briens Road and associated drainage
at the southern end of the precinct. This will create land along the Geelong Ring Road that is fully
serviced and ready for development of business.
Water sensitive urban design principles are employed to provide for the collection, treatment and reuse of stormwater. This includes several on site retarding basins to capture stormwater with the
potential for reuse within GREP.
Stage two of development will open up large size lots in the north of GREP through the provision of
major drainage facilities.
Stage three will consolidate an old residential estate ready for industrial development with major
drainage infrastructure provided.
The long term vision for development of GREP is for the area to contain a full range of services for
industry. This may include business servicing, banking and medical services as well as food and
hospitality.
A full range of service providers exist in the region. Gas, water/sewerage, power and fibre optic
services are all available within GREP. Individual requirements should be negotiated with each
provider.
Highly Skilled Workforce
Geelong has a well established history of servicing the needs of business and industry. From
professionals and administrators, to technicians, tradespeople, apprentices or unskilled workers,
Geelong has the workforce to suit all needs.
The wider Geelong Region has a healthy and buoyant employment market of over 135,000 whilst a
workforce of some 350,000 can be sourced within a 40 minute drive of GREP. Efficient road and rail
systems facilitate the daily movement of workers between the two cities.
Geelong, like Melbourne, has a multicultural community with some 14 per cent of its population born
in non-English speaking countries. Companies with a national or international focus can tap into a
workforce with multiple language skills.
Geelong’s workforce is up-to-date with service, policy and technological advancements, thanks to the
world-class education and training providers in the region. Deakin University, one of Australia’s
leading research universities, has two campuses located in Geelong, one along the waterfront and
the other in Waurn Ponds. The University offers a range of graduate and post graduate education.
The Gordon (TAFE), offers a range of degree, certificate, diploma and short courses. Both
institutions work with local organisations to deliver targeted and practical education and training.
There are also numerous local registered training organisations and employment agencies available
to assist employers find the workforce that meet their needs.
City of Greater Geelong
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Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Prospectus
Geelong - a lifestyle city
Geelong’s lifestyle is hard to beat. Quality housing, wide-ranging recreational choices, a strong
economy, a cosmopolitan, vibrant community and comprehensive health-care services are just part of
the picture.
As one of Australia’s largest urban centres, with more than 210,000 residents, Geelong provides the
perfect environment to balance work and home-life.
Only an hour from Melbourne, Geelong offers a range of lifestyle choices – inner city, suburban,
waterfront, coastal and rural – with greater value for money than equivalent properties in Melbourne.
These combine with a comprehensive range of job opportunities and infrastructure to get your
business moving.
Geelong has a wide choice of recreational activities. The region’s compact nature makes activities
such as golf, sailing, surfing and windsurfing possible before and after work, not just at weekends.
Geelong’s cultural life is equally abundant. Geelong’s cultural hub is centred on Little Malop Street,
home to the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and the
Geelong Gallery – which boasts one of Australia’s best regional art collections.
A well established café culture exists in Geelong. There is also a wide choice of fine dining options
both in central Geelong and in precincts such as cosmopolitan Pakington Street and the many
coastal and rural townships in the wider region.
Geelong boasts the largest shopping precinct outside Melbourne with some 15,000 businesses
including major retail chains such as Myer, Target, Harris Scarfe, Kmart, BigW, Dick Smith, Good
Guys, Bunnings and Harvey Norman. There are also many exclusive boutique retailers.
Facts and Figures
Scale GREP comprises of 500 hectares of industrial land zoned Industrial 1 and Industrial 2 under
the Victorian Planning Provisions, located to the north of Geelong.
Economy The Geelong region is home to more than 20,000 business enterprises and a labour force
of 135,000. In the past five years the Geelong labour force has grown by 11.7 per cent compared to
8.7 per cent for Victoria.
Location GREP is six kilometres from the Port of Geelong and 12 kilometres from Avalon Airport.
Access The Princes Freeway north to Melbourne, West to other parts of Victoria and South Australia
as well as south to other parts of the Geelong Region are accessible from GREP.
Jobs GREP has the potential to create 10,000 direct jobs once fully developed.
CITY OF GREATER GEELONG
Economic Development Unit
PO Box 104
Geelong Victoria 3220
Telephone: +61 3 5272 4888
Fax: +61 3 5272 4855
Email: ecoinfo@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
www.geelongaustralia.com.au
City of Greater Geelong
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