Geelong Opportunity
Invest Geelong
If you’re not already doing business in Geelong… you should be
Invest – Enterprise Geelong Opportunity
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Geelong Opportunity
Enterprise Geelong is the City of Greater Geelong’s dedicated resource for
economic development initiatives.
Enterprise Geelong is the point of entry for businesses seeking to establish,
grow or invest locally.
We make doing business easy through positive leadership collaboration and innovation.
Our role is to:
Attract Investment
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Stimulate and procure investment
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Facilitate introductions and collaborations
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Case manage enquiries that contribute to employment opportunities or offer significant
benefit to the local economy
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Coordinate industry specific investment and trade visits
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Ensure Geelong’s capabilities are promoted in a local and global context
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Assist with the regulatory framework
Support Local Business
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Provide intelligence on the economy to assist with decision making
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Identify Government grants or funding opportunities
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Deliver initiatives, programs and business events that support growth
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Deliver initiatives to diversify and skill our labour force
Drive Economic Growth
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Identify and foster initiatives that will strengthen Geelong’s major capability sectors and
provide a positive environment for growth
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Provide leadership on matters that affect the local economy
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Advocate for projects that support strategic business and industry development
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Coordinate information and industry experts to explore and elevate possibilities for
Geelong to prosper
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Geelong Opportunity
Geelong is all about opportunity
Geelong is one of Australia’s largest and most capable regional centres.
The City has much to offer any business seeking to establish, grow or invest.
Here’s a few of the reasons why.
Positive Local government
The City of Greater Geelong has a dedicated resource in Enterprise Geelong as a first point of
contact for business seeking to establish locally.
Robust economy
Geelong is a diverse and strong economy of over 16,000 business enterprises. We have major
industry strengths in knowledge & research, health, defence, advanced manufacturing,
tourism, information communications and technology, food and horticulture.
Close to the Victorian Capital Melbourne
Geelong is located only one hour from the Victorian capital Melbourne. The two cities are
strongly linked for professional and technical services, transport and logistics and a skilled labour
force. Geelong is growing rapidly and is earmarked to accommodate additional urban growth
to ease development pressure on metropolitan Melbourne.
Land and Infrastructure
Geelong is in a unique position to offer a comprehensive range of infrastructure assets not
commonly found in a regional centre - road, rail, sea and air.
There are large tracts of greenfield land and established sites ready for redevelopment that will
suit a range of projects.
Labour force Capability
There is a highly skilled and capable labour force in Geelong able to support a range of
business sectors. Deakin University and the Gordon TAFE provide opportunity for up-skilling and
retraining. Geelong is also a successful at sourcing high level skills for the region.
Recognised Local Business and Industry Networks
Geelong has a strong network of business and industry specific organisations to assist with
business to business support, networking and to champion industry specific issues.
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Geelong Opportunity
Contents
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Welcome to Geelong
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Centrally Located
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Geelong Map
Industry Strengths
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Knowledge, Innovation and Research
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Manufacturing
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Health
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Tourism
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Food and Horticulture
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Skilled Workforce
Infrastructure
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Transport
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Land and Buildings
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Utilities and Telecommunications
Support Services
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Business Services
Economic Development Unit
Local Networks
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Facts at a Glance
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Geelong Opportunity
Welcome to Geelong
Welcome to Geelong………..
Geelong is a modern and confident City with a positive attitude to growth.
Sustainable economic development is a priority for the City of Greater Geelong.
Council fosters and facilitates appropriate development within the region and
encourages projects that will enhance the economic well being of the local
community.
Geelong’s secret to success is diversity. The City leads the way in knowledge and
innovation, manufacturing, health services, tourism and in the production of food and
horticultural produce.
A highly capable workforce allows business and industry to prosper and the range of
professional services on offer provide all the advice and support business needs.
Local capability together with internationally recognised education and training
facilities, world class research, facilities and infrastructure means any commercial
development is possible.
Geelong’s enviable lifestyle captures the imagination. Its spectacular north-facing
position on the shores of Corio Bay, quality housing, wide ranging recreational choices,
cosmopolitan retail and dinning sector, vibrant community, comprehensive health care
services and only one hour from Melbourne are just part of the picture.
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Geelong Opportunity
Centrally located
Location and access for any business is crucial. Geelong’s easy access to Melbourne’s
central business district, industrial west and port facilities, make it easier and more
efficient to do business. The Region’s pivotal location facilitates access to the nation’s
major markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and the markets of the Pacific Rim
and South-East Asia.
Geelong is the largest provincial City in Victoria. It has all the benefits of a big city,
without the congestion. Its proximity to Melbourne is a key strength. Located 75
kilometres south-west of the state capital, Melbourne, Geelong is only 55 minutes away
by freeway and a similar time by rail. Melbourne Airport, is just over an hour away via
the connecting Western Ring Road. Avalon Airport is only 20 minutes from Geelong.
Geelong can accommodate most business developments with plenty of room for
growth. Located to the north and south-east is an abundance of well-serviced and
affordable industrial and rural land. The City’s diverse supply of commercial and retail
property makes it easy for any business to establish a local presence.
Together with Geelong’s excellent infrastructure assets, its location has helped attract
and grow many large businesses in the region. They include Barwon Health, Ford Motor
Company, Shell Refining, Deakin University, Alcoa of Australia, Pilkington, Target head
office, CSIRO Textile and Fibre Research and Australian Animal Health Laboratory,
Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, Hendersons Automotive, Godfrey Hirst, Rohm & Haas, Brintons
Carpets and Bartter Enterprise (Steggles).
Geelong’s central location ensures business is positioned efficiency and growth.
Geelong is one of Australia’s most diversified economic centres with a reputation for
excellence established through modern business practices, leading edge technology
and world class infrastructure. The Region has major industry capabilities in the primary,
manufacturing and service sectors.
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Geelong Opportunity
Map
– Showing Location of Geelong in relation to Melbourne and Australia -
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Knowledge, Innovation and Research
Vibrant, modern communities and economies have accelerated levels of knowledge
and innovation that are supported by research activity and Geelong is no exception.
Geelong’s knowledge, innovation and research sector is fundamental to all sectors of
the local economy and is evident by the strong working links it has with regional
business.
Innovation and Research
The breadth of Geelong’s research and innovation capacity is significant. The Region is
responsible for ground breaking scientific research in the area of epidemiology, gene
technology and clinical trials, as well leading the way in the area of advanced
materials, nanotechnology and fibre technology.
A number of internationally
recognised and highly respected organisations are based in Geelong including the
CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory and division of Textile and Fibre
Technology, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Chemgenex Pharmaceuticals, St John of
God Pathology, Marine and Freshwater Systems Primary Industry Resources Victoria and
the Gordon Institute of TAFE.
Over the past five years Deakin University has been one of Australia’s fastest growing
research Universities particularly in health, advanced materials manufacturing and
intelligent systems.
The University has a strong commitment to research as
demonstrated by BioDeakin an initiative which brings a whole of university approach to
the advancement of scholarship, research and teaching across a range of applied
biotechnology areas.
The Geelong Technology Precinct is a purpose built facility that acts as an interface
between research and technology orientated business. The Precinct is located at
Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus and specialises in biotechnology, nanotechnology,
wine science and prototyping. The Precinct features well equipped laboratories and
high-tech work areas offering significant capacity for new investment.
As further illustration of the commitment to advancing research based activities in the
Region, the City of Greater Geelong with the support of the State Government has
established BioGeelong, a network of local lifescience and lifescience related
organisations aspiring to encourage and foster investment in biotechnology within
Geelong. BioGeelong aims to be a major player in the State Government’s vision to
position Victoria as one of the top five biotechnology locations in the world by 2010.
Geelong provides a number of advantages for research based activities. The Region is
the perfect environment for collaborative projects given its strong and capable
workforce of over 300 researchers and access to graduates through Deakin University,
proximity to Melbourne (55 minutes) and other internationally recognised research
precincts such as Parkville, Austin, Monash and Werribee, and the relative cost and
lifestyle advantages of being located outside the metropolitan area are also significant
motivators.
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Knowledge, Innovation and Research………..
Geelong is a University City and a centre of excellence in education and knowledge.
Local education institutions work closely with industry to design courses and programs
to deliver maximum benefit to the community.
Knowledge
Deakin provides a range of comprehensive resources to more than 32,000 award
students. Deakin University has five campuses, two of which are located in Geelong at
Waurn Ponds and Waterfront Geelong. In the near future, the University anticipates
relocating much of its undergraduate courses to its Waterfront campus, freeing up
facilities at Waurn Ponds for post graduate research. The University is also the site for
Victoria’s new Rural and Regional Medical School expected to be operational by 2008.
The Gordon Institute of TAFE has been meeting the Geelong region's education and
training needs since 1887. Today the national training provider delivers more than 400
full-time, part-time and specialist courses across five campuses, while apprenticeships,
traineeships and customised industry training programs are delivered in workplaces
around Australia and some international locations.
Nationally accredited training at certificate, diploma, advanced diploma and degree
levels is offered through seven teaching schools of: Art, Design and ICT; Building and
Construction; Business and Management; Life Sciences; Manufacturing; Social Sciences
and Tourism, Hospitality and Cookery.
The Gordon is also a world leader in the delivery of education programs to international
students and has been for over 70 years.
Geelong Technology Precinct
At the Geelong Technology Precinct, advanced knowledge drives advanced
technology to advance Victorian Industry.
The GTP provides the integral link between technological innovation and advanced
performance outcomes.
It achieves this through integrating high-level research capabilities with specialised
research equipment and industrial scale infrastructure.
The precinct focuses on Deakin's core research capabilities in materials, biotechnology,
chemistry, and environmental engineering, along with regional strengths in
manufacturing and agri-processing.
It offers significant opportunities for collaborative and contract research. The GTP also
provides tenancy for technology-oriented businesses and enables 'proof of concept'
and 'industrial prototyping'.
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Manufacturing
Geelong’s reputation as a world-class centre for manufacturing activities is based on its
impressive capabilities across a range of sectors including automotive components,
aerospace activities, petroleum products and chemicals, textiles, food processing,
metals and timber processing. International businesses such as Ford, Shell, Alcoa,
Godfrey Hirst, Incitec Pivot and Basell have bases in Geelong, giving the city a greater
presence in the advanced materials market. Strong linkages between the city’s industry
and research sectors have encouraged investment in research, product development
and innovative processes.
Geelong has a strong and capable automotive sector. Ford Motor Company, the
world's second largest vehicle manufacturer, has been in Geelong since 1925. The
company has committed to new product testing and administration facilities worth
$20m at its Norlane Plant, and more recently has announced $1.8 billion investment into
its Victorian operations creating 100 new jobs in vehicle design engineering within
Geelong.
Ford’s presence in the region has been a catalyst for clustering of related component
activities such as automotive glass, panel stamping, vehicle seating and vehicle
upholstery. The industry employs over 3,000 people.
Aerospace and aviation related activities in the Geelong region are focused around
Avalon Airport located 20 minutes north of Geelong, on the Princes Freeway. The
Airport is operated by Australia’s largest privately owned integrated logistics and
transport company Linfox. The airport offers over 50,000 square metres of hangar
accommodation, making it ideally suited to the aerospace industry. The international
company Forstaff is currently undertaking aircraft maintenance contracts for airlines
including Qantas. There is great potential for expansion at Avalon where the existing
land holding can accommodate additional 5 to 6 full-size hangars.
Geelong industry works closely with Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials
Manufacturing located at Deakin University which offers a professional and commercial
interface for innovative research and development of new and advanced materials
and technologies for the materials industry including the automotive, aerospace,
defence and biomedical sectors.
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Manufacturing………..continued
Geelong has a diverse chemical industry. International company Shell Refining has one
of its most sophisticated refinery operations located in Geelong. Shell Refining Geelong
processes 6 million tonnes of product each year including gasoline and diesel fuel, LPG,
aviation fuel, high viscosity oil, polypropylene, solvents and bitumen. The shipment of
petroleum products into and out of the Port of Geelong comprises a large proportion of
regional trade.
Other chemical products include paints and plastics. More recently Geelong has
developed as a centre for the manufacture and bulk shipment of fertilisers and organic
compost. International fertiliser company Incitec Pivot Limited operates manufacturing
and distribution centres in the Region.
Geelong was founded on the strengths of its textile industries. The region is still best
known for its fine woollen carpets produced by Godfrey Hirst and Brintons.
Geelong’s metals industry expertise is strong. Alcoa of Australia first began the
manufacture of aluminium ingot at its Point Henry plant in 1963. Other metals activities
include KAAL Australia’s aluminium coil and sheet products and Bekaert’s steel tyre
cord operations.
Timber processing is an emerging industry sector for Geelong. The exports of bulk
woodchip and softwood logs through the Port are among the region’s major overseas
exports. Radiata Exporters, Midway Wood Products and SPE (Management) Pty Ltd are
examples of businesses that have chosen the City as their base.
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Health & Allied Health
The health and allied health sector is one of Geelong fastest growing and strongest industry
sectors.
Geelong is a base of service provision for much of Victoria’s South Western District.
There are three major hospitals in Geelong with another one underway.
Barwon Health provides continuity of its services to the community from paediatric and birthing
services, through acute and rehabilitation services, to aged and palliative care services.
Barwon Health employs more than 3,000 staff.
Deakin's Medical School is Victoria's first rural and regional medical school and has a mission to
train work ready graduates to help reduce the chronic shortage of doctors in rural and regional
Australia. The course aims to introduce students to rural and regional medical practice through
a range of high quality experiences in rural locations during the course.
The School of Medicine works collaboratively with partner organisations across Victoria to train
our medical students. The School houses a vibrant program of research, much of which focuses
on issues specific to rural and regional Australia.
Our partners include:
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Barwon Health
ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals
Colac Area Health
GP Association of Geelong
Eastern Health
Kardinia Health (GP Super Clinic)
Otway Division of General Practice
Barwon Health is closely affiliated with Deakin University, the Gordon Institute of TAFE
and other Regional health care agencies in the provision of undergraduate and post
graduate nursing education services.
Geelong’s health and well being facilities are amongst Victoria’s best.
Barwon Health is Victoria’s largest regional health care organisation providing care to
more than 450,000 people in Geelong and South Western Victoria.
The Geelong Hospital is a teaching hospital of the University of Melbourne in medicine
and surgery and is associated with other teaching hospitals including St Vincent’s for
medical education and the Royal Children’s Hospital for paediatric surgery.
Geelong’s presence as a leading Australian centre for health care activities will be
strengthened by the Federal Government’s commitment to the establishment of
Victoria’s first Rural and Regional Medical School at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds
campus. The Government will support 120 new medical places at a cost of $23m over
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four years from 2008 and will grow to 480 places by 2011. The State and Federal
Government have committed $36m for capital works to establish the school.
Strong partnerships between Barwon Health, Deakin University and the Gordon Institute
of TAFE provide workforce sustainability in nursing and allied health services and
opportunities for career development and advancement within the Region.
In addition to Barwon Health, Geelong is also the base for two other private hospitals
including St John of God Hospital offering day surgery, medical, surgical and maternity
services and Geelong Private Hospital (Healthscope) a 95-bed hospital offering
medical and surgical services.
St John of God
Recognised as the leading private hospital in the Barwon and South-Western region of
Victoria, St John of God Geelong Hospital was established in 1974. Located 75 km south
west of Melbourne, the hospital provide services for the city of Geelong and reaching
into rural Victoria.
The hospital has now expanded to 250 beds and provides a range of services including
an emergency department, day surgery, medical, surgical and maternity services,
along with a 24 hour critical care unit and Cath Lab services.
On site diagnostic and support services include medical imaging, pathology, medical
consulting suites and a pharmacy.
St John of God Geelong Hospital is a private hospital and a division of St John of God
Health Care, one of Australia's largest health care
The first private emergency department in Geelong has opened at St John of God
Geelong Hospital, as part of the hospital’s $65 million redevelopment, and is already
taking pressure off the existing public emergency service operated by Barwon Health
Formed in 1998, Barwon Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive regional health
services in Australia, providing care at all stages of life and circumstance.
Health services available through Barwon Health cover the full spectrum from primary care,
community services, aged care, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency and acute care.
With the exception of neurosurgery and transplantation, virtually all other specialties are
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available through the Geelong Hospital.
Care is provided to the community through:
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Community Health services at key locations throughout the region.
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Aged care through the McKellar Centre and its sites in North Geelong and Grovedale.
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Rehabilitation services both as an inpatient at the McKellar Centre and outpatient services at
North Geelong and Belmont.
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A major teaching hospital and its associated services. With a staff of more than 6,000 people,
we are also one of Australia's largest regional employers and a major education provider
through our relationships with Deakin University, Melbourne University, Monash University, the
Gordon and a number of other educational centres and universities.
With a long and successful history, our achievements and successes have been recognised
with peer recognition or our programs and services by the Australian Council of Healthcare
Standards (ACHS). Barwon Health was named 'regional health service of the year' in the 2013
Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.
Today was another significant chapter in the history of Barwon Health with the opening of
Geelong Hospital’s new Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Victorian Premier Dr Denis Napthine and Minister for Health David Davis officially opened the 24bed, state-of-the-art facility this morning, describing it as ‘world class.’
Dr Napthine said the new unit is “the best in Australia - if not the world - and something the
Geelong community should be proud of.
“This ICU is an outstanding new facility for Geelong patients requiring critical care, and delivers
an additional six beds compared to the old ICU,” he said.
Staff and patients will move into new building, located on level four across from the existing ICU,
on Monday.
The $36 million development is the culmination of two years’ work and staff have shown great
fortitude and perseverance in upholding our standards of service for our consumers against the
backdrop of a changing working environment.
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ICU staff were consulted in the design phase, allowing them to have influence over the design
of their new workspace.
The new building features two pods of 12 single rooms, each fitted out with the same layout to
help provide a uniformity of care.
Almost double the size of the old ICU, the new unit also provides care for critically ill children,
with two rooms designed for paediatric care, reducing the need to be transferred to
Melbourne.
Barwon Health Chief Executive Professor David Ashbridge emphasised the quality of service
that will underpin the new development, saying: “This is more than just a high class building; the
benefits of this new facility will be underpinned by the excellence and skill of the very best staff
in the region providing the very highest quality care. This is a commitment to future-proofing the
health of our community and it is with pride I stand here today.”
Barwon Health conducts numerous clinical trials across a number of research departments.
At times, reseachers will call for participants for their clinical trials. For a list of clinical trials and
other studies currently underway at Barwon Health, click the link on the right.
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Tourism
Tourism is an important driver of economic development across the Geelong Region.
Geelong is an ideal location for tourism investment given its vast array of natural and
cultural attractions, diversified tourism and hospitality workforce, extensive
infrastructure, accessibility to the large Melbourne metropolitan market less than one
hour away and proximity to Avalon Airport. Geelong also has a proven track record in
attracting large scale events and conferences such as the Australian International
Airshow, Skandia Geelong (Australia’s largest keelboat regatta), rounds of the National
Triathlon championship and the multi-cultural Pako Festa.
The Region’s peak tourism body, Geelong Otway Tourism, reports that each year six
million visitors make their way to the Region which includes the world famous Great
Ocean Road, Geelong Waterfront, Bellarine Peninsula, SurfCoast, Lorne and Apollo Bay
(3 million day visitors, 3 million overnight visitors and 30,000 international visitors). Tourism
generates $478m into the local economy and accounts for over 4,200 direct local jobs.
The region is the fastest growing destination in Australia for overseas visitors and its
proximity to Melbourne makes it an ideal short-break destination for the Metropolitan
market.
Geelong has a significant conference market which contributes an estimated $55.8m in
expenditure to the local market. The Region captures 29% of the regional Victorian day
meetings market and 13% of the regional overnight meetings market. The City of
Greater Geelong and Geelong Otway Tourism are currently investigating options for
the development of a Geelong Exhibition and Convention Centre along the Geelong
Waterfront. Design elements include a 1,500 seat convention centre, exhibition space,
car parking and accommodation provided by a four and a half star international
standard hotel.
The establishment of a base for Qantas off-shoot airline Jetstar at Avalon Airport only 20
minutes from Geelong has been a major asset for the Region. Avalon is fast becoming
one of Australia’s top ten airports in terms of annual passenger traffic, and recently
welcomed its millionth passenger since starting in June 2004. Future plans for Avalon by
Jetstar include the airport becoming a base for international short haul flights.
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Food and Horticulture
Geelong has a long history in the food processing sector particularly, meat, poultry and
seafood. Over recent years relative cost benefits for producers has led to the City
becoming a popular location for niche food market activities including wine making,
land based aquaculture, rabbit processing, olive processing, cut flowers and cultivated
turf.
Geelong is home to a large number of food processors, many of whom source their
products locally and from the State’s bountiful western district. A growing proportion of
Geelong’s workforce is employed in the processing of food products such as poultry,
beef and seafood.
Bartter Enterprises (Steggles) is Australia’s second largest poultry producer with six plants
located across Australia including one in Geelong. M C Herd is best known throughout
Victoria for the fine quality of its meat products.
Seafood processing continues to grow to match domestic and international demand
for a wide range of products, including wild catch, mussels and manufactured seafood
products. More recently, the City has become a home to a number of land based
aquaculture activities for products such as abalone that are being used for valueadded products.
The Geelong Region is renowned for the production of high quality wines. There are 28
vineyards spread across the region producing internationally recognised brands
including Scotchmans Hill, Pettavel Wines and Bannockburn Wines.
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Skilled Workforce
From professionals and administrators, to technicians, tradespeople, apprentices or
unskilled workers, Geelong has the workforce you need. The City’s workforce is up-todate with service, policy and technological advancements, thanks to its world-class
education and training providers who work with local organisations to deliver suitable
and practical training.
Geelong has a healthy and buoyant employment market of over 100,000 people
(130,000 in the wider Region).
Geelong, like its Melbourne neighbour, has a
multicultural community with 14% of its population born in non-English speaking
countries. Companies with a national or international focus can choose from a range
of additional language skills, including Italian, Croation, various Chinese dialects, Greek
and Macedonian.
The Region offers the services of more than 40 employment agencies operating across
a range of specialist fields such as nursing, hospitality, science, industrial, legal and
administration to assist in finding the right person for the job.
Geelong also draws on the additional labour-pool afforded to it by its proximity to
Melbourne. Efficient road and rail systems allow over 11,000 workers to commute to
Melbourne each day and an additional 2,000 to make their way into Geelong.
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Infrastructure
Transport
The City is strategically placed at the hub of a well-developed transport network,
ensuring prompt delivery of supplies and the dispatch of product to local, state,
national and international markets. All modes – road, rail, sea and air – can be utilised
for your particular business needs.
Road
The six-lane Princes Freeway provides fast, efficient links between Geelong and
Melbourne. The 75km journey takes 55 minutes allowing easy access to Melbourne’s
business district and shipping container terminal. The Princes Freeway also connects
with the Western Ring Road that connects to Melbourne’s international airport in
around 50 minutes and the Hume Freeway to Sydney. Melbourne’s City Link project
provides easy access to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and the Gippsland Region.
Geelong has an extensive suburban road network connecting rail and port facilities
and providing easy mobility around the city and its suburbs. North-south travel time
through the City will be cut to fifteen minutes with the construction of a $380m Geelong
By-Pass. The freeway-standard road will extend 23km along Geelong's western outskirts
from the Princes Freeway at Corio to the Princes Highway at Waurn Ponds.
Construction of the first section of road began in early 2006 with the freeway through to
Waurn Ponds scheduled for completion in 2009.
Highways and arterial roads connect Geelong with the region’s coastal communities.
The dual carriageway of Surf Coast Highway links the surfing industry capital of Torquay
with the City.
Geelong enjoys well-maintained highway links with the other major regional centres in
Victoria, such as Colac (55 minutes), Ballarat (60 minutes away), Bendigo (about 2.5
hours) and Hamilton (3 hours).
Rail
Geelong is a major freight hub for the Pacific National Rail Network 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.
The national Standard Gauge rail network passes through Geelong enabling easy
access to the rest of Australia. Freight Victoria has recently upgraded the freight grain
loop to standard gauge to improve Port access.
V/line offers regular passenger services to Melbourne and easy connection to
suburban, state and interstate lines. Melbourne is less than 60 minutes away by train. In
2006 the State Government introduced new VLocity Trains as part of the Regional Fast
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Rail project to allow capacity for 45 minute express services to and from Southern Cross
Station.
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Infrastructure…………….
Sea
Toll GeelongPort is located on Corio Bay and provides direct access to Bass Strait. The
Port is Victoria’s second busiest, handling a variety of bulk cargoes, including petroleum
products, grains, alumina and woodchips. The Port is a division of Toll Holdings a major
logistics company for Australia and New Zealand. The company is able to offer
businesses the total logistics package from ‘ship to factory gate’.
The Port of Geelong offers a range of shipping berths around Corio Bay with a draft of
up to 12.3 metres. Facilities include 4 common-user berths at Refinery Pier for bulk
liquids and gases, 3 common-user berths for dry bulk and general cargo at Lascelles
Wharf, 4 berths for woodchip, bulk and general cargo at Corio Quay, 3 berths for bulk
grain at Bulk Grain Pier (with access to dual gauge) and 1 berth for Aluminium smelting
raw materials at Point Henry Pier.
Geelong’s strategic location provides industries with a distinct advantage in accessing
raw materials and distributing their value-added products to interstate and
international markets.
Air
Avalon Airport is a major transport facility rarely associated with a regional centre.
Owned by the Linfox Group, the airport is situated 18km from Geelong and 40km from
Melbourne. The Airport is situated on 1,840 hectares with over 50,000 square metres of
hangar and aerospace accommodation. The airport provides unique commercial
opportunities in the fields of integrated logistics, freight handling, property
development, aircraft maintenance and pilot training.
The Airport offers ready access to the southern Australian market, first port of entry rights
(Australian Customs and Quarantine) and curfew free airspace.
The runway is
capable of handling the world’s largest commercial jet aircraft, air traffic is light and
weather conditions favourable.
In 2004 Avalon became a Victorian base for Qantas off-shoot airline Jetstar. The Airline
operates in excess of 130 flights per week flying to Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and
Perth. In its first two years of operation the airline has carried over one million
passengers.
Avalon Airport is also home to the biennial Australian International Airshow that attracts
exhibitors from all over the world and is one of Australia’s major international events.
Geelong also offers air transportation capabilities at three regional airports at Barwon
Heads, Grovedale and Colac.
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Infrastructure…………….
Land and Buildings
Geelong has an extensive supply of vacant land and existing building stock to
accommodate developments or expansion proposals. With accessible infrastructure,
an efficient development approvals system and business facilitation assistance, projects
can be fast tracked.
Industrial Land
Suitable zonings, access to services and utilities, and sites of all sizes, from small
allotments to large greenfield tracts, are available.
The Heales Road Industrial Estate in the City’s north presents the ideal location for any
major development, with excellent access to both Geelong (6 kilometres from the
Central Activities Area) and Melbourne (45 minutes by road), the Port of Geelong (4
kilometres) and Avalon Airport (12 kilometres). The estate, located at Lara, is Geelong’s
major greenfield site and is regarded as one of Victoria’s prime areas for industrial
development. Heales Road is a well-serviced industrial precinct that is developing as a
high-quality, value-adding zone, especially for industries that require large, single-storey
plant locations.
The special needs of businesses requiring buffer zones or environmental safeguards
have also been identified and large areas of fully serviced land are available.
Land for industry is also located next to Geelong’s port and south of the city in Moolap.
North Geelong, South Geelong and Breakwater are the ideal locations for businesses
seeking an established smaller site.
Prices on industrial land in Geelong are extremely competitive compared with rates in
metropolitan Melbourne or other state capital cities.
Commercial Premises
Geelong offers a range of small to large premises suitable for any commercial proposal,
either within the city centre or on the outskirts. Companies such as Target have chosen
to locate their Australian headquarters on a purpose-built site in North Geelong.
Quality and affordability are typical of the building stock available in the Central
Activities Area and throughout Geelong suburbs.
Excellent public transport
infrastructure and ample parking add to the City’s attractiveness for commercial and
retail investment.
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Geelong Opportunity
Utilities and Telecommunications
Water, waste water, natural gas, telecommunications and electricity are readily
available and of the highest calibre to support most areas across the Geelong Region.
Connections for new businesses to the Region can be quickly arranged.
Water and waste water services are provided by Barwon Water the largest urban water
authority in Victoria. Capacities are sufficient for the Region’s needs into the future.
Telecommunications has a major impact on the Region’s economic performance
particularly in the global marketplace. Geelong is fortunate to be serviced by world
class telecommunications providers such as Telstra, Optus and AAPT as well as several
other full service and wholesale carriers who have committed considerable medium
and long haul fibre capacity in the Region.
E-Business is also at the fore with a number of internet service providers offering local
dial-up or high-speed permanent connections for e-mail, e-commerce and other web
services. Local telecommunication costs are on par with other Victorian centres.
The Region is strives to maintain cost efficient telecommunications infrastructure by
encouraging more competitive and comprehensive providers of telecommunications
services to the Region.
An extensive power grid delivers competitively priced electricity throughout the
Geelong Region. The distribution network services the community with reliable
electricity with new connections being professionally incorporated.
Natural gas is available to all major locations within the Geelong Region and additional
townships continue to be added.
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Geelong Opportunity
Support Services
Business Services
Geelong business has access to a wide local network of highly developed support
services and people. As Victoria’s largest regional centre, Geelong is self-sufficient
when it comes to expertise. This ranges from technical expertise, such as engineers,
architects and construction contractors, to professional services, like accountants and
solicitors.
Local businesses have an abundant range of choices when it comes to agencies
designed to get their business moving including personnel recruitment and job
placement agencies and information technology consultants.
Geelong’s enviable lifestyle makes it an ideal location for small, micro and home based
business.
Economic Development Unit
The City of Greater Geelong provides advice and assistance to the Geelong business
community through its Economic Development Unit.
The Unit works with businesses seeking to expand or invest in Geelong by assisting with
the identification of suitable land and premises, providing guidance through the
development approvals process and with introductions to authorities, infrastructure
providers and other local businesses. The Unit also works in partnership with local
business and regional stakeholders to prepare strategic action plans to encourage
growth of specific industry sectors.
Where appropriate the Unit represents the interests of the Geelong community to
Government by advocating on issues such as the reduction of tariffs, lobbying to obtain
funding for major infrastructure projects such as the Geelong By-Pass or to lobby for
support for the Rural and Regional Medical School.
Geelong has a well established reputation as one of Australia’s most progressive
municipalities in terms its literature promoting the City as the location to live, work and
invest in south eastern Australia. Our range of materials can be downloaded from our
website or by contacting us directly.
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Lifestyle Geelong – Smart Thinking
Discover Geelong – Smart Thinking (DVD)
Geelong Economic Development Strategy 2005-2010
Geelong Economic Indicators Bulletin
Biotechnology Geelong – Smart Thinking
Geelong Seafood Industry Strategy
Facts Geelong – Smart Thinking
Geelong Fast Facts
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Geelong Opportunity
Local Networks
The region is well represented by a range of local business and industry networks that
have a presence in Geelong and are able to offer business a range of advice and
assistance.
Industry Associations
Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (www.vecci.org.au)
Australian Industry Group (www.aigroup.asn.au)
Industry Capability Network (www.icnvic.org.au)
Geelong Business Groups
Geelong Chamber of Commerce (www.geelongchamber.com.au)
Committee for Geelong (www.committeeforgeelong.com.au)
Geelong Business Network (www.businessconnections.org.au)
G21 Geelong Region Alliance (www.g21.com.au)
Geelong Manufacturing Council
Smart Geelong Region Learning and Employment Network (www.sgrllen.com.au)
Geelong Otway Tourism (www.geelongotway.org)
BioGeelong (www.biogeelong.com.au)
Government
Business Victoria (www.business.vic.gov.au)
Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (www.iird.vic.gov.au)
Geelong Area Consultative Committee (www.gacc.org.au)
City of Greater Geelong (www.geelongaustralia.com.au)
Surf Coast Shire (www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au)
Golden Plains Shire (www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au)
Colac Otway Shire (www.colacotway.vic.gov.au)
Borough of Queenscliffe (www.queenscliffe.vic.gov.au)
Education
Deakin University (www.deakin.edu.au)
Gordon Institute of TAFE (www.gordontafe.edu.au)
Media
Geelong Advertiser (www.geelongadvertiser.com.au)
Geelong Business News (www.geelongbusiness.com.au)
Geelong Infopages (www.geelonginfo.com.au)
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Geelong Opportunity
Geelong Fast Facts
Regional Local Government
Population Growth
Rate
Area
Area:
2005
2031 (%pa) (Km2)
Greater Geelong (C) 204,891270,749 1.08%
Surf Coast (S) 23,085 34,266 1.57% 1,553
Golden Plains (S)16,88721,959 1.11% 2,704
Colac Otway (S)21,698 22,373 0.15% 3,433
Queenscliffe (B)3,191
3,313 0.11%
9
Total Barwon Region269,752352,660
1.05%
8,944
Victoria
5,022,3466,225,5000.84%227,590
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,
Estimated Resident Population, June
2006. Department of Sustainability and
Environment, Victoria in Future 2004.
Major Industry SectorsWorkforce
Output ($m
Retail Trade
16.4
$1,234
Manufacturing
16.0
$7,036
Health and Community Serv. 11.1
$653
Property and Business Serv.
8.4
$1,275
Education
8.0
$481
Construction
7.7
$839
1,245
Source: ABS & REMPLAN (Regional
Economic Modelling & Planning
System), Economic Research Unit, La
Trobe University, 2005.
Location
Geelong City is located 75 km south
west of Melbourne.
Ethnicity
Gr. GeelongBarwon
Victoria
Born Overseas 16.3% 14.6% 23.2%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
2001 Census of Population and
Housing.
Annual Trade - Port of Geelong
Total Trade (tonnes) 11.9m
No. of vessels
546
Major Imports (tonnes):
Major
Exports (tonnes):
Crude Oil & Petroleum Prod.
5.1m
Fertiliser
1.2m Woodchips 1.3m
Alumina/Raw Materials0.5m Bulk Grain 1.1m
Petroleum Products
1.9m
Labourforce
Greater Geelong100,000 people
Barwon Region130,000 people
Regional Economic Output (Barwon
Region)
% of Total Annual
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Geelong Opportunity
Major Employers
Employees (EFT)
Barwon Health
2,949
Department of Education
2,665
Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd
2,610
City of Greater Geelong
1,183
Deakin University (Waurn Ponds &
Waterfront)
1,135
Aerospace Activities at Avalon1,020
Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd 900
Catholic Education System
750
Target Australia Pty Ltd
645
Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd
620
- Geelong Private Hospital
- PathCare Consulting Pathologists
Major Tourism Assets
- Gateway to the Great Ocean Road
- Otway National Park
- Waterfront Geelong
- Bellarine Peninsula
- Torquay
- Bells Beach
- You Yangs Regional Park
- Brisbane Ranges National Park
Infrastructure
- Avalon Airport (3,000m runway,
passenger, freight and maintenance
facilities)
- Port of Geelong (6th largest bulk
handling port in Australia)
- V/Line and connected to National
Standard Gauge Rail
- Road Network (Princes Hwy, Surf
Coast Hwy, Bellarine Hwy, Hamilton
Hwy, Midland Hwy)
- PIRVic (Primary Industries Research
Victoria)
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health
Laboratory
- CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology
- Geelong Technology Precinct
- Barwon Water
Major Education Facilities
- Deakin University
Waurn Ponds Campus
Waterfront Campus
- Gordon Institute of TAFE
- Marcus Oldham Farm Management
College
- Geelong Grammar School
- The Geelong College
- Kardinia International College
Health Services
- Barwon Health
Geelong Hospital
Grace McKellar Centre
- St John of God Hospital
Invest – Enterprise Geelong Opportunity
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Geelong Opportunity
Are you exploring opportunities for your business? Contact Enterprise Geelong to learn more
100 Brougham Street
PO Box 104
Geelong Victoria
3220 Australia
T/03 5272 4888
F/035272 4855
E/info@enterprisegeelong.com.au
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Geelong Opportunity
Invest – Enterprise Geelong Opportunity
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