Notice of Motion tabled at the Community Focus Council Meeting of Council on 12 February 2019 which was held at the Potato Shed, 41 Peninsula Drive, Drysdale.
As outlined in a Council Report on 11 December 2018, improved rail travel time from Geelong to Melbourne has long been seen as a key to enhancing the connections between Victoria’s two largest cities. With the continued population growth in the Geelong region and the increasing opportunities for employment, the need for a fast rail service has never been stronger.
To be in a position to better understand the options and to be able to prosecute an informed position, the City commissioned a report on the economic, planning and finance merits of a Regional Fast Rail service between Melbourne and Geelong.
To be an informed advocate, the City needed to understand the opportunities and issues with any fast rail proposal. The City also needs to be the local voice to ensure that the Victorian Government understands the local issues and the City can work in partnership with the Victorian Government on the delivery of this key piece of infrastructure.
The development of the City led “New Spirit of Progress Committee” (NSOP) has begun to bring together key stakeholders. A meeting was held on 5 February 2019 that brought together they key stakeholders that will form the NSOP committee. The meeting outlined the history of the project, membership, structure and roles and next steps in the advocacy approach. Each stakeholder group has been asked to nominate their representative for the committee.
NSOP will comprise representatives from Local Government in the key regional centres of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Colac Otway and Latrobe and is complemented with other key representatives from Deakin University, Avalon Airport, Federation University, The Gordon, Committee for Geelong, G21, the Australian Rail Futures Institute, Committee for Ballarat, and Committee for Shepparton.
The next step for the City and the partnership is the development of a Melbourne – Geelong Fast Rail for Geelong Strategy Document. It will be a key advocacy document for the partnership and for the State and Federal Governments and broader market.
The Strategy Document will not be a business case, but set out a clear vision for regional fast rail and how the communities intend to achieve it and what that will mean for broader economic and social policy.
The cost for the development of the Strategy Document is estimated to be $50,000 (ex GST).
NSOP stakeholders have been informed that they will be formally asked to financially contribute to working capital to ensure the project maintains momentum, develops a strategic advocacy plan and allows the partnership to capitalise on opportunities as they arise. As a member of the NSOP partnership, the City will be expected to financially contribute for the working capital.
Councillor Harwood moved, Councillor Murnane seconded -
That Council:
Allocate $50,000 excluding GST from the existing 2018-2019 Budget to the development of the Strategy Document; and
Consider an allocation of a further $50,000 to the City of Greater Geelong led ‘New Spirit of Progress’ from the City of Greater Geelong in the 2019-20 Budget to support the on-going operations of this partnership.
Carried.
As there was no further business the meeting closed at 9:43pm on Tuesday, 12 February 2019.
Signed: _________________________________________
Councillor Bruce Harwood (Mayor)
Date of Confirmation: _____________________________
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