geelong: open for business -...

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


• 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


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%


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


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

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


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


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.


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


• 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.


Transport Accident Commissions Relocation


MHG Takeover of Viridian Saves Jobs

Geelong Innovation Investment Fund

Dulhuntly Power LtdRPC Technologies Pty Ltd


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


geelong: open for business -...

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