STRENGTHS - Enterprise Geelongenterprisegeelong.com.au/sites/default/files/Invest_Geelo… · Web viewInvest Geelong. If you’re not already doing business in Geelong… you should

Geelong Opportunity

Invest Geelong

If you’re not already doing business in Geelong… you should be

Invest – Enterprise Geelong Opportunity 1

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 Stimulate and procure investment Facilitate introductions and collaborations Case manage enquiries that contribute to employment opportunities or offer

significant benefit to the local economy Coordinate industry specific investment and trade visits Ensure Geelong’s capabilities are promoted in a local and global context Assist with the regulatory framework

Support Local Business Provide intelligence on the economy to assist with decision making Identify Government grants or funding opportunities Deliver initiatives, programs and business events that support growth Deliver initiatives to diversify and skill our labour force

Drive Economic Growth

Identify and foster initiatives that will strengthen Geelong’s major capability sectors and provide a positive environment for growth

Provide leadership on matters that affect the local economy

Advocate for projects that support strategic business and industry development

Coordinate information and industry experts to explore and elevate possibilities for Geelong to prosper

Geelong is all about opportunityInvest – Enterprise Geelong Opportunity 2

Geelong 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 governmentThe City of Greater Geelong has a dedicated resource in Enterprise Geelong as a first point of contact for business seeking to establish locally.

Robust economyGeelong 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 MelbourneGeelong 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 InfrastructureGeelong 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 CapabilityThere 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 NetworksGeelong has a strong network of business and industry specific organisations to assist with business to business support, networking and to champion industry specific issues.


Geelong Opportunity

Contents

Page Welcome to GeelongPage Centrally LocatedPage Geelong Map

Industry StrengthsPage Knowledge, Innovation and Research Page ManufacturingPage HealthPage TourismPage Food and HorticulturePage Skilled Workforce

InfrastructurePage TransportPage Land and BuildingsPage Utilities and Telecommunications

Support Services Page Business Services

Economic Development UnitLocal Networks

Page Facts at a Glance


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.


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.


Geelong Opportunity

Map

– Showing Location of Geelong in relation to Melbourne and Australia -


Geelong Opportunity

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 ResearchThe 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.


Geelong Opportunity

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.

KnowledgeDeakin 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'.


Geelong Opportunity

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.


Geelong Opportunity

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.


Geelong Opportunity

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:

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


Geelong Opportunity

$23m over 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


Geelong Opportunity

available through the Geelong Hospital.

Care is provided to the community through:

Community Health services at key locations throughout the region. Aged care through the McKellar Centre and its sites in North Geelong and Grovedale. Rehabilitation services both as an inpatient at the McKellar Centre and outpatient services

at North Geelong and Belmont. 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 24-bed, 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.

ICU staff were consulted in the design phase, allowing them to have influence over the design of their new workspace.


http://www.achs.org.au/

http://www.achs.org.au/

Geelong Opportunity

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.


Geelong Opportunity

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.


Geelong Opportunity

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 value-added 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.


Geelong Opportunity

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-to-date 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.


Geelong Opportunity

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 Rail project to allow capacity for 45 minute express services to and from Southern Cross Station.


Geelong Opportunity

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.


Geelong Opportunity

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.


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.


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.

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


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 AssociationsVictorian 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 GroupsGeelong 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 CouncilSmart Geelong Region Learning and Employment Network (www.sgrllen.com.au)Geelong Otway Tourism (www.geelongotway.org)BioGeelong (www.biogeelong.com.au)

GovernmentBusiness 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)

EducationDeakin University (www.deakin.edu.au)Gordon Institute of TAFE (www.gordontafe.edu.au)

MediaGeelong Advertiser (www.geelongadvertiser.com.au)Geelong Business News (www.geelongbusiness.com.au)Geelong Infopages (www.geelonginfo.com.au)


http://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/

http://www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au/

http://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/

http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/

http://www.geelongotway.org/

Geelong Opportunity

Geelong Fast Facts

Regional Local GovernmentPopulation Growth

Rate AreaArea: 2005 2031 (%pa)

(Km2)Greater Geelong (C)204,891270,749

1.08% 1,245Surf Coast (S)23,085 34,2661.57%

1,553Golden Plains (S)16,88721,9591.11%

2,704Colac Otway (S)21,69822,3730.15%

3,433Queenscliffe (B)3,191 3,3130.11% 9Total Barwon Region269,752352,660

1.05% 8,944Victoria 5,022,3466,225,5000.84%

227,590Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Estimated Resident Population, June 2006. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria in Future 2004.

LocationGeelong City is located 75 km south

west of Melbourne.

EthnicityGr. GeelongBarwon

VictoriaBorn Overseas16.3% 14.6% 23.2%Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2001 Census of Population and Housing.

Annual Trade - Port of GeelongTotal Trade (tonnes) 11.9mNo. of vessels 546

Major Imports (tonnes): Major Exports (tonnes):Crude Oil & Petroleum Prod. 5.1m

Petroleum Products 1.9mFertiliser 1.2m Woodchips

1.3mAlumina/Raw Materials0.5m Bulk Grain 1.1m

Labourforce Greater Geelong100,000 peopleBarwon Region130,000 people

Regional Economic Output (Barwon Region)

% of Total Annual Major Industry Sectors Workforce

Output ($m)Retail Trade 16.4 $1,234Manufacturing 16.0 $7,036Health and Community Serv.11.1

$653Property and Business Serv. 8.4

$1,275Education 8.0 $481Construction 7.7 $839Source: ABS & REMPLAN (Regional Economic Modelling & Planning System), Economic Research Unit, La Trobe University, 2005.


Geelong Opportunity

Major Employers Employees (EFT)Barwon Health 2,949Department of Education 2,665Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd

2,610City of Greater Geelong 1,183Deakin University (Waurn Ponds & Waterfront) 1,135Aerospace Activities at Avalon1,020Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd 900Catholic Education System 750Target Australia Pty Ltd 645Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd 620

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 CampusWaterfront Campus

- Gordon Institute of TAFE- Marcus Oldham Farm Management College- Geelong Grammar School- The Geelong College- Kardinia International College

Health Services- Barwon HealthGeelong HospitalGrace McKellar Centre

- St John of God Hospital- 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


Geelong Opportunity

Are you exploring opportunities for your business? Contact Enterprise Geelong to learn more

100 Brougham StreetPO Box 104Geelong Victoria 3220 Australia T/03 5272 4888F/035272 4855E/[email protected]


Geelong Opportunity


Documents

STRENGTHS - Enterprise Geelongenterprisegeelong.com.au/sites/default/files/Invest_Geelo… · Web viewInvest Geelong. If you’re not already doing business in Geelong… you should