The Premier John Brumby today unveiled plans for a new suburb in Geelong’s south that will attract more than $3 billion in investment and generate more than 13,000 jobs through the construction of a major new business precinct and 7300 new homes and community facilities.
At Armstrong Creek, Mr Brumby was joined by Planning Minister Justin Madden and community and business leaders from across the region to unveil masterplans for a major industrial hub and residential area for 7300 new homes, shops, cafes, schools, childcare walking and cycling paths.
Mr Brumby said the new industrial hub, to be called Keystone Business Park, would deliver 8000 full-time jobs through a mixture of manufacturing, service industry, transport and storage and wholesale outlets to be based at the 178 hectare precinct.
“A further 5270 direct jobs would be created over the next eight years during construction.”
He said a further 5270 direct jobs would be created over the next eight years during construction of the homes and associated infrastructure for the new Armstrong Creek community, including a new Neighbourhood Activity Centre with services, retail and community facilities.
“We are building the right infrastructure for growth to lock in a prosperous future for regional Victoria with Armstrong Creek one of the state’s key growth corridors and set to become home to 54,000 people in the coming years,” Mr Brumby said.
“The Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula region is growing and thriving and our government is making the right investments in transport, in schools and in health services to secure the lifestyles of Victorians living and working in this great part of our state.
“Investments such as moving the TAC to Geelong, the Geelong Ring Road which received a further $76.9 million in this year’s State Budget bringing our commitment to this vital road to almost $400 million, the Geelong Performing Arts Centre, our support for Ford’s Geelong plant and our plans for a second Geelong hospital will drive growth and prosperity in this region.
“Armstrong Creek will become part of the economic and social fabric of the Geelong region with its own distinct character. It will provide jobs opportunities, boost housing and involve a diverse mix of housing, retail, business and industrial space as well as new natural and cultural features.”
The Armstrong Creek growth area is the largest contiguous growth area in Victoria, consisting of 2500 hectares of developable land and will be home to up to 54,000 people.
Mr Brumby unveiled masterplans for the Armstrong Creek East Precinct and Keystone Business Park which will attract over $1 billion in investment over the next 10 to 15 years with a further $2 billion in investment set to pour into the new community at Armstrong Creek.
“This development will set the benchmarks in best-practice urban development and become a blueprint for the sorts of developments we want to see in the growth corridors of our regional centres in years to come,” he said.
“This significant milestone comes ahead of our Regional Blueprint which I will release in coming weeks. This blueprint will set out our Government’s vision for managing growth in our regions and securing the lifestyles regional Victorians love and want to protect.”
Mr Brumby said the 2010 State Budget delivered major investment to support the future growth and prosperity of Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine Peninsula including:
• $76.9 million for section 4C of the Geelong Ring Road connection to the Surf Coast Highway;
• $33.6 million for expanded capacity at Geelong Hospital and to purchase land for a new community hospital in Geelong’s southern suburbs; and
• $10.4 million for precinct and infrastructure planning as well as contributions towards the construction of a neighbourhood health and community centre and a community pavilion.
Planning Minister Justin Madden said he had today approved amendments to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme to put in place Precinct Structure Plans which will enable subdivision at Armstrong Creek to commence quickly.
“The first release of land is expected to take place later this year when the first of 500 lots will go on the market,” Mr Madden said.
“These master plans include an extensive network of on and off-road walking and bicycle paths, primary and secondary schools, supermarket, a separate local activity centre and retail and community facilities.
“In addition to construction jobs, a further 585 jobs are expected to be created at the proposed Neighbourhood Activity Centre which includes shops, cafes, childcare facilities and community facilities with natural and cultural features to be protected and enhanced.”
Mr Madden said draft Precinct Structure Plans and submissions received from local land owners and agencies have been reviewed by an independent Advisory Committee.
“I have accepted all the Committee’s recommendations, including provision for a protective buffer around the existing broiler farm,” Mr Madden said.
“We will continue to work in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, developers and the local community to see Armstrong Creek come to fruition.”
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield said the Brumby Labor Government had consistently recognised the importance of the Geelong area in accommodating high levels of population growth and had planned accordingly.
“Today is a great day for the future growth and prosperity of this region,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“Armstrong Creek will become a highly sought-after location for living, working and recreation, forming an attractive addition to Geelong.
“The development of Armstrong Creek will also address housing choice and affordability issues in the region and provide community facilities and public transport services.”
City of Greater Geelong Mayor John Mitchell welcomed today’s announcement.
"Armstrong Creek has been many years in the making and this is a huge step forward in realising our vision for this environmentally sustainable growth area,” Councillor Mitchell said.
"The simultaneous approval of the employment and residential precincts means that we can start providing jobs where people live rather than establishing a dormitory suburb.
“Thanks to this collaborative approach we can now bring these two major precincts to life.”