City of Greater Geelong

We're thrilled to launch our new video showcasing Geelong as a premier business and investment destination! 🌟 Boasting many great qualities, Geelong has been the second-fastest growing region in Australia over the past five years, with job growth more than doubling the rate of population growth. 📈 In 2024, we adopted the Geelong on the Rise: A Clever and Creative International City – Greater Geelong Economic Development Plan 2024–2034, guiding future investment and development, supported by over 22,000 business enterprises and a construction investment pipeline exceeding $14.8 billion. Our thriving and emerging industries driving growth and investment include: ⚫ Advanced manufacturing ⚫ Agribusiness and food manufacturing ⚫ Clean economy ⚫ Creative industries and digital technologies ⚫ Defence ⚫ Healthcare ⚫ Professional business services ⚫ Transport, logistics, and fulfilment ⚫ Visitor economy and major events Geelong is also globally recognised as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Design, celebrating our rich history of leadership in design. Be sure to watch the video to learn more about what Geelong has to offer!

We’re pleased to see the findings of the recent report to the Minister for Local Government by the City’s Municipal Monitors.   The findings recognise the work of our CEO, Ali Wastie, and executive team in transforming our organisational culture as we continue to strive towards becoming the highest performing and best local government to work for.   In particular, the monitors noted in the report that “we are confident that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) have the right values and as a general observation, the organisation appears to be responding to those values.”   Particular projects highlighted by the report were: • Refreshing our organisational values, including extensive consultation with all employees to establish new values • Delivering leadership development programs for the City’s frontline leaders, and regular leaders forums • Rolling out internal programs that facilitate effective reward and recognition of staff. • Developing a comprehensive Psychosocial Framework to promote health and safety   The monitors state that they “are confident that the Council can fulfil its functions and obligations and deliver for the community,” and that “the ability for the new Councillor group to work together in a constructive, professional and respectful manner will be key to ensuring it can deliver and serve for the betterment of the City of Greater Geelong community.”   This highlights the importance of financial sustainability, which we will develop through long-term strategic financial planning, and continual cultural improvement, where we will demonstrate zero tolerance for unacceptable behaviour.   We would like to thank the municipal monitors, Peter Dorling and Mark Davies, for their oversight and for preparing this report.  

Join Dr Norman Swan from the ABC and Greater Geelong Mayor Cr Stretch Kontelj OAM at Geelong Library next Wednesday 2 April to hear fascinating insights about the health and wellbeing of our community. We’ll be launching the findings of the 2024 Geelong Preventative Health Survey which will assist Council and other organisations to make informed decisions about advocacy, infrastructure, initiatives and programs that impact the community. Whether you’re from a local organisation, work in the health sector or you’re just interested in how the region is faring, now’s the time to register. Numbers are limited. WHAT: 2024 Geelong Preventative Health Survey launch WHEN: 10am-12pm Wednesday 2 April WHERE: Geelong Regional Library & Heritage Centre HOW: Register at geelong.link/HealthMatters

Our CEO Ali Wastie spoke at the Give Geelong Breakfast last Friday morning. Hosted at GMHBA Stadium, the event aimed to raise funds for the 2025 Give Geelong Appeal. The appeal supports the mission of the Give Where You Live Foundation to assist those experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, and long-term unemployment in Greater Geelong. 📷 Ali Wastie, keynote speaker Raygun and attendees at the Give Geelong Breakfast last Friday. Captured by Jane Fitzgerald Photography.

Our next Council Meeting is Tuesday 25 March at City Hall from 6:00pm. To learn more, visit 👉 https://lnkd.in/g6E_33F We’re introducing an exciting new initiative that allows you to interact with the Mayor and Councillors ahead of council meetings. Come along to Wurriki Nyal, 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong on Tuesday 25 March from 4:45pm – 5:30pm for the chance to have your say in an informal setting. Please note that councillors will not be able to discuss matters on the Council Meeting agenda, as these will be debated that evening.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM has welcomed stakeholders to a high-level forum aimed at revitalising Central Geelong. The forum saw significant people connected to Central Geelong in one room, with councillors, elected state and federal representatives from both sides of politics, landowners, investors and developers discussing the critical issues affecting the CBD and ideas to overcome them. The forum successfully generated positive and ambitious ideas to fast-track needed change. Work is now underway to collate all the insights gathered from the forum to determine priorities for advocacy and the next steps for implementation.

Yesterday, we marked International Women’s Day with a Lunch and Learn event, bringing employees together for an important discussion on gender equality, reproductive rights, and the prevention of violence and abuse against women. Our incredible organisers and panel, including @Bonnie Loft, @Alex Hebbard, @Dai Le, @Dale Heyward and @Sahn Cramer, shared insights into the real impact of these issues in our workplace and community. It was inspiring to hear about the reforms we’re driving, particularly through our Gender+ Impact Assessments and Gender Equality Action Plan, ensuring we embed meaningful change across everything we do. A huge thank you to everyone who joined the conversation.

Are you ready to celebrate the best food and drinks our region has to offer? 🥂 If so, then mark Friday 20 June to Sunday 20 July in your diaries for ‘Tastes of Greater Geelong 2025’! Expressions of interest are now open for extraordinary experiences that showcase our region as one of Australia’s most renowned hospitality destinations. 🥗 Find out more at 👉 geelong.link/tastes2025 📸 Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM with Miek Paulus from Ket Baker, Manpreet Sekhon from Eastern Spice (also Elchi and Masti in Melbourne) and Brian Anderson from Bahjong and Baah Lah!

Great to see the diversity of our city on display at Pako Festa today! Tens of thousands braved the heat to join the celebrations, presented by Cultura. We're proud to have supported this celebration since the first event in 1983.

The City of Greater Geelong is built on the passion and dedication of our people, so it only makes sense that our values are shaped by them too. At our 'Shape our Values pop-up', employees are getting the chance to share what matters most in our workplace culture. Their voices are guiding the development of our new values, ensuring they truly reflect who we are and where we're headed. At the launch event, our CEO Ali Wastie said, “We're taking a people-led approach to developing our new values because they need to be meaningful, lived, and owned by everyone across the City." Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!