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Our Priorities and Outcomes

The Partnership looks to champion initiatives that will enhance the social, cultural, environmental, and economic wellbeing of the communities in the Barwon region.

The Partnership has identified 11 priority initiatives for 2022-23 that reflect some of the challenges and opportunities faced by the Barwon region.

The priorities are guided by the Partnerships Good Growth Framework which outlines the long-term outcomes the Partnership is striving to achieve.

Priorities and outcomes

Public Transport for Local Needs

A review of the Greater Geelong public transport network by the Department of Transport with phased uplifts over the next 4 years including:

  • use of significant technological and reform opportunities to deliver innovative service models, such as on-demand buses
  • new buses, refinement of bus routes, reconfiguration of stops and more services
  • better public transport connections to the Geelong, Portarlington, Queenscliff and Spirit of Tasmania ferry services
  • improved connections to growth areas.

Digital Connectivity and Capability

Support and funding for innovative and targeted high-capacity digital connectivity and capability solutions to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits across the region.

Accelerate the Supply of Social, Affordable and Housing

Urgently streamline the planning and approval processes for two development-ready parcels of government land in Colac for the development of social and affordable residential housing.

Key Worker Housing Solutions

The delivery of bespoke accommodation solutions in the Great Ocean Road region and addressing housing supply shortages for the region’s key and essential workforce.

Community Mental Health Hubs in Colac, Corio and Torquay

A commitment by the Victorian Government to deliver Barwon Health Community Mental Health Hubs in in Corio, Torquay and Colac.

These new hubs will be help attract and retain mental health clinicians while also improving community-based mental health services in the region.

Invest in Integrated, Efficient Water Management and Recycled Water for Agriculture and Growth

The increased provision of recycled water and integrated water management to sustain and improve the long term health and well-being of our natural assets and our community and enable agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and tourism development. Specifically:

  1. feasibility investigation for large-scale, staged recycled water and stormwater grid in the Barwon region
  2. business case and related activities to progress stage one of the recycled water and stormwater grid scheme in the Surf Coast Hinterland
  3. delivery of three on-ground Integrated Water Management (IWM) projects.

Geelong Gallery Expansion

The redevelopment of Geelong Gallery through a significant expansion into the Geelong Town Hall and provide greater access to the Gallery’s collections and exhibitions.

Regional Renewable Organics Network (RRON) – Renewable Energy Production and Local Manufacturing Boost

Investment in the Regional Renewable Organics Network to boost the renewable energy production and local manufacturing content. This investment would more than double the energy production and commercialise an innovative technology (known as the Barton Engine) manufactured by a Geelong based manufacturing business.

Leveraging the Spirit of Tasmania Passenger and Freight opportunities

The Department of Transport and Planning to identify the Spirit of Tasmania’s surrounding road network (including the Melbourne Road overpass, Corio Quay Road merge and Mackey Street intersection) as a priority upgrade.

The upgrade will improve the safety and user experience of visitors to the region via the Spirit of Tasmania

Avalon Rail Station

The construction of a new rail interchange station with connecting bus facilities and 2.2km of new road joining the existing road system for passenger transport to the Avalon Airport terminals.

Caring for Country

Improvement of waterway amenity, using knowledge and advice of traditional owners, that creates new and improved community spaces for people to connect with, enjoy and value natural and cultural environments, while providing for cultural, social, economic and environmental benefits to the region. Specifically:

  1. funding for various projects identified in the Kitjarra-dja-bul bullarto langi-ut project area
  2. delivery of a Healthy Country Plan for the Porronggitj Karrong cultural and community precinct
  3. funding for Murrk Njubitj Yarram Yalok (Yarram Creek, Bellarine Peninsula) to design and build a Wadawurrung natural resource management space and associated infrastructure.

Download a PDF flyer of priorities and outcomes listed on this page.

Connect with us

Send us an email at barwon.partnership@rdv.vic.gov.au

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