Victoria's Barwon South West Region:

							 Barwon South West
Regional Strategic Plan
 Incorporating the Great South Coast Regional
Strategic Plan and the G21 Geelong Region Plan




                    2010

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Contacts
Bruce Anson
Chair
Barwon South West Regional Development Australia Committee
Phone: 03 5559 4814
Email: Banson@warrnambool.vic.gov.au


Andrew Wear
Regional Director – Barwon South West
Regional Development Victoria
Phone: 03 5223 2104
Email: Andrew.wear@rdv.vic.gov.au
Contents

FOREWORD                                                                  4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY                                                         5

BACKGROUND                                                                6
The Barwon South West region                                              6

Regional Development Australia in the Barwon South West region            7

Regional planning in the Barwon South West region                         9
  The Geelong Region Plan                                                 9
  The Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan                          11


REGIONAL ISSUES                                                          13

KEY PRIORITIES                                                           16
Other priorities                                                         18


NEXT STEPS                                                               20

COMMITTEE MEMBERS                                                        21

G21 GEELONG REGION PLAN                                          APPENDIX A

GREAT SOUTH COAST REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN                        APPENDIX B
Foreword
Victoria’s Barwon South West Region is fortunate to be endowed with a range of characteristics that
position it well for the future. Geelong is Victoria’s largest provincial city and is growing rapidly. The
region has strengths in manufacturing and agriculture, and is transitioning to more knowledge-
intensive industries. Our landscapes are of international significance and our power infrastructure
positions us well to become a centre of new energy production.

Crucially, the Barwon South West Region has a strong history of working together regionally. The
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committee builds on pre-existing and mature regional
governance structures. In the G21 and Great South Coast sub-regions, two comprehensive regional
strategic plans have been developed after extensive analysis and evidence gathering.

Barwon South West therefore has a very clear understanding of the key interventions necessary to
support development in the region. There is substantial alignment of view between the RDA
Committee, sub-regional      governance bodies,       local councils,    industry and other      regional
organisations.

The RDA Committees were established with a mandate to provide advice to the Victorian and
Australian Governments. This document draws together the G21 Geelong Region Plan and the Great
South Coast Regional Strategic Plan to present an integrated regional strategic plan to both tiers of
Government.

The Barwon South West RDA Committee looks forward to continuing its work with the region, and to
providing further advice to all tiers of government on an ongoing basis.




Bruce Anson
Chair
Barwon South West Regional Development Australia Committee
Executive Summary
This document
This document presents to the Victorian and Australian Governments an integrated regional strategic
plan for the Barwon South West Region, incorporating the G21 Geelong Region Plan and the Great
South Coast Regional Strategic Plan.


The Barwon South West Regional Development Australia Committee
The Barwon South West RDA Committee is one of 55 RDA Committees across Australia. The
Committee comprises representatives from business, industry, government, education and training
providers. It was established with a mandate to provide advice to both the Victorian and Australian
Governments.


The Barwon South West Region
The Barwon South West Region is located in Victoria’s South West, and stretches from the Bellarine
Peninsula through to the South Australian border. It is endowed with a range of characteristics that
position it strongly for the future.

Two sub regions make up the Barwon South West Region: the Geelong Region (G21) and Great
South Coast.       Both sub-regions have formed alliances of municipalities and other regional
stakeholders to complete extensive consultative planning processes.

Regional planning
Regional planning in the Barwon South West region has been underway for a number of years. The
G21 Geelong Region Plan and the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan provide a clear,
coherent framework for decision-making across the region.

Implementation priorities
Both the G21 Geelong Region Plan and the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan identify a
number of priorities that underpin implementation of these plans. The Barwon South West RDA
Committee supports all of these projects. Of these, the Committee has identified three projects that
should be progressed as a matter of priority:

   Implementation of the Green Triangle Freight Action Plan;

   Upgrade of the Princes Highway West; and

   Investment in the Geelong Cultural Precinct.

The Committee is working with G21 and the Great South Coast as well as Local, Victorian and
Australian governments to progress these projects as a matter of urgency.
Background
The Barwon South West region
The Barwon South West region of Victoria has an area of 32,340 square kilometres which stretches
from the tip of the Queenscliff Heads to the border of South Australia. The region has a population of
approximately 350,000 and includes the local government areas of Queenscliffe, Greater Geelong,
Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Corangamite, Moyne, Warrnambool, Southern Grampians and Glenelg.
The region has 800km of coastline, which represents 40% of Victoria’s coast line.

The Barwon South West region comprises two sub regions: the Geelong Region (G21) and Great
South Coast.    Both sub-regions have developed alliances of municipalities and other regional
stakeholders to complete extensive consultative planning processes.            The G21 sub-region
encompasses the local government areas of Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe, Colac Otway and Surf
Coast. The Great South Coast encompasses the local government areas of Warrnambool, Moyne,
Corangamite, Glenelg and Southern Grampians, with Colac Otway also forming part of the sub-
region. The sub-regions also engage with other municipalities where relevant. For example, Golden
Plains Shire participates in the G21 Geelong Region Alliance.

Key employment sectors include: retail trade; healthcare and social assistance; and manufacturing
and construction. The manufacturing sector is diverse, consisting of both light and heavy industry
including: oil refining; vehicle and automotive parts manufacturing; smelting; textile and food
manufacturing; and aircraft heavy maintenance.




Figure 1 Barwon South West Regional Settlement Map (Planisphere, Regional Mapping Project: Final
Report - Barwon South West Region, 2009)
Australian Bureau of Statistics quarterly data from June 2010 shows that around 199,000 people
were employed in the Barwon South West region. Health care and social assistance employed the
most with approximately 15 per cent (29,000 people) of the total labour force.

The manufacturing industry accounted for a further 13 per cent (26,000 people) and the retail trade
industry for 12 per cent (23,000 people). The agriculture, forestry and fishing industry was the sixth
largest employing sector, accounting for 6 per cent (12,000 people).

The unemployment rate for the Barwon region was 5.4% for the June 2010 quarter, which is below
the rate for regional Victoria (6.1%) and slightly above the national unemployment rate (5.1%). There
is, however, great variation in unemployment across the region, with unemployment ranging from
2.4% in Corangamite South through to 9.6% in Corio (as at March 2010).


Regional Development Australia in the Barwon South West region
The Barwon South West Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committee is a community based
advisory body working in partnership with the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure,
Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; and the Victorian Government’s Regional
Development Victoria.

The Barwon South West RDA Committee is one of 55 RDA Committees across Australia. The
committee provides an important link between the Australian Government, Victorian Government and
local councils in the Barwon South West region. Its core responsibilities are:

   to be a key facilitator of strategic change and economic, social and environmental development in
    the region;

   to be the link between government, business and the community; and

   to facilitate whole of government responses to opportunities in the community.

The vision statement of the Barwon South West RDA Committee is:


        The Barwon South West Regional Development Australia Committee will facilitate
        regional activity by progressing projects that are underpinned by a solid evidence
        base.

        With a reputation for results, it will have credibility within the region and will be a
        respected source of advice to the Victorian and Australian Governments.

        By its willingness and capacity to cut across boundaries the Committee will add value
        to G21, Great South Coast and other regional voices. It will demonstrate leadership
        across the full breadth of regional issues.
The Committee comprises representatives from business, industry, government, education and
training providers. Its membership includes cross-representation with other strategic regional
organisations to achieve maximum input and consultation. The Committee meets as necessary and
at least on a bi-monthly basis.

The organisational structure of the Barwon South West RDA has been developed in response to the
need for effective decision-making and the facilitation of regional collaboration and partnerships. The
main features of the organisational structure include:

   Substantial cross-membership of the major regional organisations; and

   Capacity to establish sub-committees and project management teams comprising key
    stakeholders aligned with the major objectives of the RDA Committee.

In the short time since the RDA Committee was established in December 2009, it has made
significant progress. Key achievements to date include:

   Engagement with almost 130 regional stakeholder groups, at nearly 90 meetings;

   Leading the development of regional consensus around the top 3 regional investment priorities
    (the Green Triangle Freight Action Plan, the Princes Highway West; and the Geelong Cultural
    Precinct);

   Development and delivery to the Victorian and Australian Governments of the Barwon South
    West Region: Advice to Government document;

   Contribution to the development of the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan, including the
    hosting of a regional roundtable discussion attended by more than 60 senior regional
    stakeholders;

   Working with the G21 Regional Alliance to identify and agree on 15 priority projects critical to the
    sustainable growth of the Geelong Region;

   Working with the Great South Coast region to identify and agree on nine priority projects that will
    underpin implementation of the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan;

   Provision of extensive advice to Victorian and Australian Government Ministers and MPs, via
    more than 50 letters; and

   Initiating and working with regional stakeholders to progress strategic projects in the areas of
    tourism and higher education.
Regional planning in the Barwon South West region
Regional planning in the Barwon South West region has been underway for a number of years, and is
significantly advanced. This planning has involved local and state governments working together with
regional stakeholders. It provides a clear, coherent framework for decision-making across the region.


The Geelong Region Plan
G21 is the formal alliance of government, business and community organisations, working together to
improve people's lives in the Geelong Region. It is a not for profit organisation, funded by five regional
councils - Colac Otway, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe. Since its
creation in 2002, G21 has stimulated major regional projects and development plans through
unprecedented levels of community engagement.

The G21 Geelong Region Plan was launched by Premier Brumby in late 2007. Nearly 1000 people
and organisations from across the region were involved in its development. The Plan identifies and
addresses future challenges the region will face in the areas of environment, settlement and land use,
community strength, and economic transition. Designed to focus the energy of the Geelong region,
the Plan has been endorsed by all regional stakeholders and is recognised and supported by all
levels of government.

This Plan is a framework for achieving the vision, through sustainable growth, looking towards 2050.

The shared vision of the G21 Geelong
Region Alliance is:

        The     Geelong       region    is
        Australia’s most desirable
        destination         for     living,
        visiting,     working          and
        investing; it is renowned for
        its      vibrant,         cohesive
        community,           exceptional
        physical environment and
        vigorous economy.

The following imperatives align with the five directions outlined in the strategy and are integral to the
ability of the region to respond to the challenges and opportunities it faces.

        1. Make environmental gains

              We must bring together government, statutory authorities, community and business
              people in a deliberate and organised way to agree on and resolve the region’s biggest
            environmental challenges including climate change, water supply and the health of our
            ecosystems.

        2. Use our land wisely

            We must set aside, protect and use land to provide current and future choices for
            residential, industrial, commercial, rural and agricultural needs, while minimising impact
            on the natural environment. Key economic and service centres of the region must be
            vibrant and attractive, supporting a mix of residents, businesses and community activity.

        3. Increase access for social equity, creativity and learning

            We must engage, connect and unite the people of the region to build a framework for
            equitable access to the internationally recognised basic prerequisites of health. We must
            further develop the region’s access to and reputation for arts, culture, learning, recreation
            and diversity to create an economically productive, socially viable and ecologically
            sustainable future.

        4. Generate new business, raise skill and education levels and create more jobs

            We must bring together public and private sector organisations to ensure ongoing links
            between the demands of the economy and the capacity of the workforce. This includes
            support for technology transfer and industry transition with internationally recognised
            telecommunications and technology standards.

        5. Maximise opportunities

            We must make our mark as a well informed, creative and innovative place that
            encourages fresh thinking and bright new ideas including initiatives to achieve
            competitive advantage in attracting outside investment, recruiting and retaining talent,
            increasing tourism and increasing political influence.

The G21 Board along with the RDA Committee has endorsed 15 projects as being of highest priority,
critical to the sustainable growth of the Geelong region. These are listed in the ‘other priorities’
section of this document along with priorities from the Great South Coast region, while further detail is
contained in the Geelong Region Priority Projects document released by G21 in July 2010.

The G21 Geelong Region Plan is presented at Appendix A, and more information is available online
at www.g21.com.au.
The Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan
The Great South Coast region is located in Victoria’s southwest and encompasses the local
government areas of Warrnambool, Moyne, Corangamite, Glenelg, Southern Grampians and Colac
Otway. Work on the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan commenced in early 2009. It was
finalised in August 2010, when it was endorsed by the RDA Committee, local councils and the
Barwon South West Regional Management Forum (which is made up of officers from State
Government departments and council CEOs). The development of the Plan was led by a project
control group, which consists of council CEOs, key State Government agencies and members of the
RDA Committee.

                                              More than two hundred people across a variety of
                                              business, industry and community sectors joined with
                                              local, state and Australian government representatives
                                              to create the Great South Coast Regional Strategic
                                              Plan, which is a strategy for the long-term sustainable
                                              growth of the Great South Coast.

                                              The plan addresses the challenges and opportunities
                                              that the region will face in the areas of economic
                                              development, connectivity, environment, health and
                                              wellbeing, land use and liveability and presents new
                                              ways of working together to achieve a shared vision for
                                              the future.

                                              Implementation of the Plan will support economic
                                              development essential to jobs and prosperity across the
                                              Great South Coast. It will shape the places where
people live, allow the creation of healthy, sustainable communities, address disadvantage and protect
and enhance the natural and historic environment. Strategic actions included in the Plan will attract
people to live, work, invest and learn in the Great South Coast.

The vision for the Great South Coast is:

        Over the next 10-15 years, we will create a thriving, multi-faceted and resilient
        economy, while valuing and protecting our natural resources and environment. Our
        people will be healthy, well-educated and have great lifestyle choices.
The Plan outlines five key strategies:

        1. Position the Great South Coast for economic growth

            Our healthy economy faces new challenges in securing skilled workers, affordable
            employment land and infrastructure efficiency to allow growing and emerging industries
            to compete in a global market.

        2. Improve connections in the Great South Coast

            Strong physical, virtual, environmental and social connections are vital ingredients for a
            prosperous, equitable and sustainable region.

        3. Sustain the natural assets of the Great South Coast

            Addressing environmental challenges including climate change, water security, land use
            and the health of our ecosystems.

        4. Strengthen the communities of the Great South Coast

            Our people’s access to transport, education, health services, housing and support
            networks will determine the strength of our future.

        5. Increase collaboration in the Great South Coast

            Leadership, communication, strong alignment to agreed priorities and new, innovative
            ways of getting things done will take our plan from vision to reality.

The Great South Coast Project Control Group has identified nine projects that need to progressed in
the short term to support the Plan’s implementation. In the coming months, these priorities will be
developed further. Key Great South Coast priorities are detailed in the ‘other priorities’ section of this
document, along with those from the G21 Geelong region.

The Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan is presented at Appendix B and more information is
available at www.greatsouthcoast.com.au.
Regional issues
The Great South Coast and G21 Regional Planning processes have identified a range of regional
issues.

As is often the case, some of the identified issues can be considered from multiple perspectives. For
simplicity, the higher order issues are presented here in brief detail.

Strengths

Geelong
                            th
Geelong is Australia’s 12 largest city, and Victoria’s largest provincial city. It is growing rapidly and
has a diverse and vibrant economy.

Natural Environment

With internationally recognised landscapes such as the Great Ocean Road, the Barwon South West
region is of considerable environmental and cultural significance to the state.

Manufacturing

The region has considerable strengths in aluminium, automotive, food processing and other
manufacturing industries.

Ports

Bulk ports in Geelong and Portland enable the region to process and handle oil, grain, woodchips,
alumina, mineral sands and fertiliser. Avalon Airport represents a further opportunity for growth in air
freight.

Agriculture

With relatively good rainfall, the region is Australia’s largest milk production region and is home to
nearly 20% of the national plantation forestry industry. Significant value-adding occurs via milk and
meat processing.

Power infrastructure

The Otway Basin provides the region with access to natural gas reserves. An existing 550kV
electricity transmission line is functioning at 25% capacity and provides access to the state/national
power grid. The region also has strong wind, wave and geothermal resources.

Governance, networks & regional planning

The region is characterised by extensive networks, mature governance structures, and well-
developed regional strategic planning processes.




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Weaknesses

Entrenched disadvantage

There are pockets of entrenched disadvantage in the region (eg. Corio/Norlane, Whittington, Colac
and Portland). The causes are many and complex.

Health and education outcomes

The region rates lower than the state average in some significant health related indicators. Year 12
completion and participation in further education are also lower than the state average.

Road and rail infrastructure

The region is experiencing significant growth in population and freight movements, yet road
infrastructure is inadequate. This has become a serious barrier to the region’s growth. Furthermore,
the quality, reliability and frequency of rail services are inadequate. Road and rail capacity constraints
upon entering Melbourne limit people and freight movements to the key market of Melbourne and its
role as a link to overseas markets.

Broadband infrastructure

Limited broadband capacity in some parts of the region is hindering expansion and development of
applications such as video conferencing.



Opportunities

New energy

Significant new wind energy facilities are planned, together with gas-fired power plants.

Tourism

The Great Ocean Road region is an internationally-significant tourism destination. There is an
opportunity to significantly improve yield and encourage further visitor dispersal across the region.
This will require investment in high-quality product and improved governance of tourism in the region.

Knowledge-intensive industry

Leveraging off the presence of its higher education and research institutions, the region is rapidly
building capabilities in knowledge-intensive industries such as Bio Technology, ICT and Carbon
Fibre.

Timber

The commencement of the timber harvest in the Green Triangle region has the potential to generate
significant export revenue and create thousands of jobs. This will require upgrades to enabling
infrastructure such as roads and rail.


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Threats

Workforce

The impact of unprecedented growth and the emergence of new industry in the region will create
additional demand for labour in a market where current demand is not being met. Businesses will be
challenged in areas of attracting and retaining their future labour force as well as increasing their
investment in training and developing their labour force.

Emissions trading

Because the region is home to a range of carbon-intensive industries (oil refining, aluminium, cement
production) it is likely to be among the most heavily impacted by carbon trading if ultimately
introduced. Meanwhile, uncertainty over the introduction of a carbon trading scheme has the potential
to deter planned investment in new energy production (e.g. gas-fired power generation).

Climate change

Our climate is likely to be dramatically different in the near future, with varied impacts on agricultural
enterprises, rising sea levels affecting coastal communities and water availability for urban, industrial
and agricultural use.

Catastrophic event

Emergency service agencies have identified a range of events that could potentially threaten the
region. In particular, the region has many areas at high risk of bushfire, including towns in the Otway
Ranges and coastal tourist areas. Bushfires and other catastrophic events pose a risk to the region’s
infrastructure, environment, community and economy.

Economy in transition

Globalisation, the rise of emerging markets and the reduction of trade barriers have severely
impacted the region’s employment base. These trends are intensifying and the loss of well-paid
manufacturing jobs is now reaching deep into the fabric of the community.




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Key priorities
Both the G21 Geelong Region and the Great South Coast Region have identified regionally-
significant projects that need to be progressed in the short term to support implementation of both
regional plans. These projects are identified in the following section.

All of the projects identified by the G21 Geelong Region and the Great South Coast Region are
critical to the sustainable growth of the Barwon South West region and are supported by the RDA
Committee.

The RDA Committee has considered the projects identified in the G21 and Great South Coast
regional plans, and has assessed them against criteria including:

     regional, social, environmental and economic benefits;

     overall significance to the region or sub-region;

     the existence of supporting studies or business cases;

     project readiness; and

     external support and funding potential from the
      Victorian and Australian governments.

As a result of this assessment, the Committee
identified three projects      as   being     of   particular
importance. The Committee believes that these
projects are of such importance that it is working with
G21 and the Great South Coast as well as Local,
Victorian and Australian governments to progress
these projects as a matter of urgency. These three
projects are: Implementation of the Green Triangle
Freight Action Plan; Upgrade to the Princes Highway
West; and Investment in the Geelong Cultural
Precinct. All three projects were presented in detail in
the    RDA     Committee’s     Advice    to    Government
document, presented to the Victorian and Australian
governments in July 2010.




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Implementation of the Green Triangle Freight Action Plan

A package of road, rail and other priorities is required to ensure the Green Triangle region (an area in
south-west Victoria and south-east of South Australia) is able to cope with massive growth in
hardwood timber exports.

The Green Triangle Freight Action Plan was prepared by the Victorian and South Australian
governments together with regional stakeholders. Key short term priorities include:

   Portland-Casterton Road – bridge strengthening

   Warrnambool Rail line – passing loop

   Princes Highway – intersection upgrades

   Portland Ring Road – intersection and road upgrades



Upgrade of the Princes Highway West

The Princes Highway West is the major inter-regional transport corridor that connects the
communities of south-western Victoria. It directly services a population of 350,000 people and 34
cities, towns and communities. Consistent with the Victorian Government’s Princes Highway West
Corridor Strategy, upgrading of the Princes Hwy West from Geelong to Mt Gambier is required,
including:

   Duplication between Waurn Ponds and Winchelsea;

   Duplication between Winchelsea and Colac; and

   Safety improvements between Colac and Mt Gambier.



Investment in the Geelong Cultural Precinct

The Geelong Arts Precincts’ cultural assets – the principal cultural assets for the region – are limited,
ageing and used to capacity. A Masterplan for the Geelong Cultural Precinct, endorsed by the
Victorian Government, proposes a regional hub for development of arts and culture activities and
businesses comprising a central plaza with surrounding arts infrastructure including:

   A new integrated Geelong Library and Heritage Centre;

   An expanded and refurbished Geelong Performing Arts Centre (GPAC);

   Expansion of the Geelong Gallery;

   Construction of a new Government services building adjacent to the arts precinct as part of the
    Geelong Transit City project;


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   Refurbishment of the Old Courthouse building, home to youth arts programs; and

   Work on the public realm.


Other priorities
The following projects have been identified by the G21 Geelong region and the Great South Coast
region as being of high priority and are also priorities of the RDA Committee. These projects will
require the support and involvement of the Victorian Government, the Australian Government, local
councils and other regional stakeholders. They include:

   Investment in tourism infrastructure

    Investment in new tourism products and experiences to diversify the region’s economy and
    increase tourism visits and yield. Develop tourism infrastructure such as: Loch Ard Interpretative
    Centre; Portarlington Safe Harbour; Apollo Bay Harbour precinct; Wild Grampians Walk; Lake
    Condah/Budj Bim; 12 Apostles Trail; Griffith Island at Port Fairy; and coastal infrastructure at
    Portland and Warrnambool.

   Regional Research and Information Centre

    This will meet the need for rural and regional data management and related planning.

   Geelong Ring Road Connections

    Complete or develop key links from the Geelong Ring Road so as to maximise value from the
    major investment in the Geelong Ring Road and Princes Highway West.

   Geelong Ring Road Employment Precinct Network Infrastructure

    Main road and drainage infrastructure to develop the largest industrial precinct in the Geelong
    region.

   Town centre upgrades

    Invest in town centre upgrades to create a sense of place for our communities.

   Avalon Airport

    Support for the establishment of international flights, expansion of heavy maintenance facilities,
    and attraction of an Aviation Training Academy.

   Skilled Stadium – Stage 3 Redevelopment

    Stage 3 redevelopment of Skilled Stadium to increase stadium capacity from 30,000 to 35,000
    and deliver significant community facilities.

   Implement Great South Coast Industry Workforce Development Strategy

    Implement actions to address skills shortages in the Great South Coast region.

                                                                                               18
   Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area

    A major urban development that will accommodate the bulk of Geelong and the G21 region’s
    growth for the foreseeable future.

   Convention and Exhibition Centre

    A purpose built, private-public partnership funded centre for conventions and exhibitions.

   Addressing Disadvantage

    Upgrading of educational, health and transport services in disadvantaged areas and support for
    regeneration activity at Corio, Norlane, Colac and Portland.

   South West Healthcare Warrnambool Campus

    Stage 2 redevelopment of the Warrnambool Hospital to increase the scale and quality of health
    service provision in the Great South Coast.

   Transport Links to Melbourne

    Continued upgrade of transport links from the Barwon South West region to Melbourne, including
    delivery of the regional rail project and reduction in traffic blockages around the Westgate Bridge.

   Australian Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases

    Establish an Australian Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases to provide research, diagnosis
    and risk management advice in the increasingly important area of zoonotic diseases.

   Great South Coast Regional cooperation

    Invest in structures and processes that will assist the implementation of the Great South Coast
    Regional Strategic Plan.




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Next steps
The RDA will continue to work with both the G21 Regional Alliance and the Great South Coast to
support implementation of both regional plans. It will particularly focus on working with the Victorian
and Australian governments to progress projects that are critical to the success of both plans.

The RDA Committee will also initiate and lead – along with regional stakeholders – key projects that
have strategic importance across the Barwon South West region. For example, the RDA Committee
is currently leading a project aimed at providing a strategic framework for tourism development across
the region, and a project aimed at developing an integrated strategy to lift higher education attainment
rates across the region.


G21 Geelong Region
The G21 Geelong Regional Alliance has provided its Geelong Region Priority Projects document to
the Victorian Government. Following formal Victorian Government consideration of these projects,
G21 and the RDA will work with the Victorian Government to progress these projects, which are
critically important to the sustainable growth of the Geelong region.


Great South Coast
Following endorsement of the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan by the project control
group, RDA Committee, councils and the Regional Management Forum, the plan has been formally
submitted to State Government. It is expected that Government will formally respond to the plan and
provide advice on how it will work with the region to support its implementation.

In coming months the Great South Coast will develop further the governance arrangements to
support implementation of the plan, moving to establish a Great South Coast Regional Alliance. The
Great South Coast will also move to implement key priority projects identified in the plan.




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Committee members
Chair

Bruce Anson – Warrnambool

Bruce is the CEO of Warrnambool City Council where he previously served as a senior officer for more than 20
years, commencing in 1987 as Deputy Town Clerk and from 1991 as Director Finance and Administration. He
was Director Corporate Services from 1995 to 2008.

Representing the region on a range of forums, including the Regional Cities Victoria Group and the Great South
Coast CEOs Group, Bruce has a good understanding of the issues driving coastal cities as well as the
challenges facing rural economies.


Co-Deputy Chairs

Ed Coppe – Geelong

Both as elected Councillor and former Mayor, and as a principal of his own firm, Ed has played a major role in
the economic development of Geelong. This work and his consultancy in wealth creation and retirement planning
were informed by his former role as member of the Mars company’s Superannuation Board of Trustees and his
senior marketing and management positions with the company. Ed’s achievements include important
contributions to the establishment of the Committee for Geelong and the development of the Geelong Major
Events Committee.

Ed is a current Board member and Chairperson of the G21 Geelong Regional Alliance and a member of the
Victorian Government’s Regional Development Advisory Committee.

Peter Dorling – Geelong

Peter is currently Executive Director of the Committee for Geelong, a position he has held since 2001. Prior to
this role, Peter had 25 years’ experience in local government with a history in regional planning and regional
development.

Peter was also a Board member and Treasurer of the Geelong Area Consultative Committee.


Committee members

Elaine Carbines – Geelong

Elaine was recently appointed CEO of the G21 Geelong Regional Alliance. She is also Deputy Chair of the
Geelong Performing Arts Trust.

Elaine represented Geelong Province in the Legislative Council from 1999 to 2006. She was Parliamentary
Secretary for Education and Training, and then Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment.




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Geoffrey White – Portland

Geoff is a councillor of Glenelg Shire Council and worked as Human Resources Manager at the Port of Portland
Authority. Active in regional planning, Geoff was also Chair of the Great South Coast Municipalities Group and
the Alliance of Councils for Rail Freight Development. He is a Board Member of the Committee for Portland.

Professor Sue Kilpatrick – Warrnambool

Sue is currently Pro Vice Chancellor (Rural and Regional) at Deakin University. She is a Board member of the
South West Local Learning and Employment Network, the South West TAFE and the Corio Norlane
Development Advisory Board. She is also member of several education and rural industry-related committees.

Michael Malouf – Geelong

Michael is Managing Director of Barwon Water and is also a Director of the Committee for Geelong, G21
Geelong Region Alliance and St Laurence Community Services. In addition, he is Deputy Chair and Director of
the Australian Division of the Water Reuse Association and a member of the Geelong Manufacturing Council,
Deakin University Engineering Advisory Board, Deakin University Geelong Community Leaders Board and the
IWA Executive Council.

Ruth Gstrein – Camperdown

Ruth is a Corangamite Shire councillor who has served three terms as Mayor and has chaired the Great South
Coast Mayors Group. An Office Manager at Bostocks Creek Design and Drafting, Ruth is also a Board Member
of Camperdown P-12 College and has been on various committees including the Camperdown Botanic Gardens
Advisory Group, Lakes and Craters Advisory Group and Camperdown Heritage Committee.

Thomas Lindsey – Warrnambool

Thomas is a commercial and business lawyer with Tait Leishman Taylor, and was previously the Director of
Economic Development at Warrnambool City Council. He was Chairman and Member of the Greater Green
Triangle Region Association, and is a member of several regional committees.

Elizabeth Coker – Aireys Inlet

Elizabeth is the Mayor of the Surf Coast Shire and has experience as a journalist, with the Geelong Advertiser
and The Age. She is also a board member of the G21 Geelong Region Alliance.




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APPENDIX A:
G21 GEELONG REGION PLAN




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APPENDIX B
GREAT SOUTH COAST REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN




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