My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Planning. The Bracks government has an unprecedented commitment to regional Victoria, and in the electorate of Western Victoria Region, Geelong is a significant beneficiary of funding associated with the transit cities initiative, which is part of the government’s commitment to Melbourne 2030, its long-term plan to manage the state’s growing population over the next 25 years. Geelong has been allocated $5.8 million in this year’s state budget to help the council revitalise the city centre. Some of the projects to be undertaken include the acquisition of land in the Geelong station precinct to enable the future pedestrian link to the Transport Accident Commission building and the waterfront as well as detailed design and scoping works to pave the way for integration of the station and cultural precincts.
Currently Geelong is growing at a similar rate to Melbourne. Bearing in mind the livability of Geelong and the subsequent pressure on land release that will come with population growth, the Bracks government’s regional town development plans to assist provincial growth will be absolutely vital. On Tuesday, 12 June, the minister announced a $200 000 funding boost for the City of Greater Geelong from this program to fast-track planning. This will assist the City of Greater Geelong to finalise structure planning, investigate infrastructure needs and prepare zoning proposals for the Armstrong growth area south of Geelong.
When complete the Armstrong Creek development will provide 20 000 lots to accommodate over 50 000 people. This is representative of the government’s unprecedented commitment to the development and sustainable growth of regional Victoria.
I call on the minister to monitor the planning and development process and to report to the Parliament on: firstly, how quickly the first homes will come on stream; and secondly, what the median house price is in the new development and the difference between that and the city of Greater Geelong’s median house price.
