DIVERSE ECONOMY Geelong has a diverse and robust economy. During recent years Geelong’s economic base has mirrored global trends. We have responded to the economic challenges to ensure Geelong has a vibrant and sustainable future, which builds on our competitive advantages and embraces new opportunities. We have diverse expertise and capabilities in fields such as innovation and research, health and allied services (social insurance), education, advanced manufacturing, the visitor economy, creative and entrepreneurial industries, information and communications technology and agribusiness. +15,000 NEW JOBS IN GREATER GEELONG BETWEEN 2011 AND 2016 GROWTH OF 3.7%P.A. OUTSTRIPPING POPULATION GROWTH Source: ABS, 2016 Census of Population and Housing. ROOM TO ACCOMMODATE DEVELOPMENT Geelong offers abundant choice when it comes to accommodating development. Central Geelong, located on the shores of Corio Bay, is the city’s central business district, driving retail and commercial activity. It also delivers a strong social, residential and cultural centre catering to workers, residents, students, visitors and events. Revitalising Central Geelong sets out the Victorian Government’s action plan to deliver a city centre that will attract new jobs and sustainable growth. Major investments such as the new WorkSafe and National Disability Insurance Agency headquarters, Deakin University student accommodation, Barwon Water headquarters, Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and Geelong Performing Arts Centre/Geelong Gallery are leading the transformation of Central Geelong’s infrastructure, which will help to create a more vibrant, edgy, connected and contemporary city centre, reflecting the growing status of Victoria’s second largest city. Lisa Line CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER THE GORDON TAFE “Our role is to drive the workforce of the future by working with Geelong businesses and our community to deliver specialised and tailored training and education services that are responsive to meet local needs. We welcome the opportunity to support the social insurance sector.” 9
GEELONG THE OFFER INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT SUCCESS Geelong boasts transport and logistics infrastructure that is not typically found outside a capital city. V/line rail services operate every 10 minutes weekday peak times, connecting Geelong with Melbourne in just 60 minutes. Only 20 minutes from central Geelong is Avalon Airport, Victoria’s second airport, with regular flights to Sydney, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Hobart. A service to Avalon Airport connections Adelaide AVALON AIRPORT Hobart Gold Coast Sydney Canberra Proposed Canberra is also under consideration. Avalon is serviced by the international aviation transport company Skybus, enabling passengers to connect easily into Geelong and Melbourne. Melbourne International Airport is located 60 minutes from Geelong, with transit bus services available from central Geelong. TALENT AND CAPABILITY Geelong’s greatest asset is its people. Geelong has a healthy economy and jobs market. We pride ourselves on being responsive to market trends and proactive when it comes to the ever-changing work environment. Our labour force is talented and adaptable, with the ability to meet a diverse range of employer needs. Geelong’s labour pool reach is broad, with talent easily sourced from centres within a 50 minute commute, including Melbourne’s western suburbs, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Colac. POSITIVE COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERSHIP Geelong’s community and business leaders have a positive ‘can do’ attitude to realising the city’s full potential, and they – along with the broader community – champion projects that will contribute to the sustainable economic development of the city. EXPERIENCE THE GEELONG WAY OF LIFE Geelong enjoys all the benefits of being within arm’s reach of a capital city while being free of the constraints of big city living. Housing choice, a strong commercial and retail heart, internationally recognised education facilities, and comprehensive health services are all located in a picturesque bayside and coastal setting.
GEELONG SOCIAL INSURANCE HUB Geelong has a highly established social insurance eco-system that supports agencies such as Comcare. Comcare has multiple offices across Australia, including a significant base in Melbourne. The relocation to Geelong of the Transport Accident Commission, and more recently WorkSafe and the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Agency, have been catalysts for lifting Geelong’s national and international profile and credentials as a social insurance hub. Additional activity in this sector, such as the relocation of Comcare, has the potential to deliver enormous economic development and job creation outcomes for Geelong in a number of ways: increasing efficiencies by strengthening collaborations and partnerships, procurement opportunities, information sharing, identifying prospects, addressing challenges and promoting local competitive advantages fostering and driving social insurance excellence through strong linkages between business, industry, entrepreneurs, and research and education institutions to effect real change and thought leadership in areas such as digital transformation attracting and expanding social insurance activities including professional and business support activities, service suppliers and other allied support. Professor Ruth Salom CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BARWON HEALTH “Barwon Health plays a key role in supporting the social insurance sector with specialised health services and preeminent rehabilitation expertise. We have a strong track record in collaborating with other agencies, including the TAC. The most recent example being the development of the Sunrise Centre, a rehabilitation centre located at Simonds Stadium developed in partnership with the TAC.“ BUSINES HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONAL LOCAL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS INTEGRATED GEELONG - MELBOURNE LABOUR MARKE TRANSPORT ACCIDENT ORKSAF COMMISSIONGHIGMHLHY ESBTAABLILSHIEMD SIOTCIEAL INSURANCE ECO-SYSTEM ATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE AGENCY 11
GEELONG THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT In February 2018, the City of Greater Geelong commissioned a report to assess the economic impact of relocating a federal government agency the size of Comcare to Geelong (City of Greater Geelong, Economic Impact Assessment, Potential Office Relocation, February 2018). The economic analysis was undertaken using REMPLAN – regional economic modelling and planning system. THE SCENARIO This summary focuses on the scenario of relocating both Comcare Melbourne and Comcare Canberra with a total of 600 direct jobs. The report identifies the direct and flow-on economic impacts in three phases: the construction phase; operations phase; and the additional impact of relocating families. KEY FINDINGS The economic impact of relocating a federal government agency to Geelong is significant for both the region and the state. The impact of these direct jobs combined with the flow on impacts and relocating family impacts would result in an estimated 1,871 ongoing jobs in the local economy. This represents a final employment multiplier of 3.0, meaning that for every direct job supported by the relocation, it is estimated that a further 2 jobs are supported in the broader local economy once flow on supply-chain and household consumption effects are taken into account. This single project alone would boost Gross Regional Product by approximately 1.98%, which is almost half of the total average annual increase in GRP of 4.38% over the past five years. VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORT The Victorian Government supports the proposal to relocate Comcare to Geelong. The Premier has highlighted the opportunity to incorporate Comcare relocation in the Geelong City Deal to strengthen the social insurance hub. A BOOST TO LOCAL OF$208M PER ANNUM REPRESENTING GRP GROWTH OF 2% - ALMOST HALF THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE