The 2025-26 Annual Report highlights how the organisation balanced future-focused initiatives with the delivery of essential services across the region.

Innovation and fresh thinking drove new approaches to sustainability, infrastructure, recreation and heritage preservation.

Highlights included a trial to replace the decaying waterfront bollards with 3D-printed replicas, the Better for Geelong compost initiative, the opening of the Ocean Grove District Ride Centre featuring tracks made from recycled crushed concrete, and the restoration of the historic Hitchcock Memorial Gates at Johnstone Park.

The year also delivered several landmark firsts across community health, culture and inclusion.

In October, more than 18,400 people attended the inaugural ROAM Geelong arts and cultural festival, while the launch of the Geelong City Market brought thousands of people into the CBD to support local producers, makers and entertainers.

Significant firsts also included the opening of the Biyala Community Hub in Armstrong Creek, providing new community, allied health and kindergarten services, and the adoption of the City's first Rainbow Action Plan 2025-29, creating a framework to strengthen inclusion and wellbeing for LGBTQIA+ people.

The opening of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre marked a major milestone for the region, creating new opportunities for tourism, business events, jobs and economic growth, while cementing Greater Geelong's reputation as a premier destination for events and conferences.

The year also marked the first measure of progress against the Council Plan 2025-29, which guides the City's priorities across infrastructure, community wellbeing, economic development, the environment and governance.

All 31 major initiatives identified for delivery in the first year were on track, demonstrating strong progress towards the Plan's objectives.

Alongside these achievements, the City maintained its focus on delivering the services, projects, infrastructure and investment that support everyday life across Greater Geelong.

Across 2025-26, the City:

• DELIVERED 31 core services including 9,475 pothole repairs, 4,721 drainage maintenance requests and emptied 206,000 residential bins each week.
• COMPLETED $148.1 million of capital works projects including Rippleside Inclusive Playspace, Rossack Drive rehabilitation works, Portarlington Recreation Reserve upgrades and the Norlane Community Centre redevelopment. 
• ENGAGED with more than 8,633 community members across 84 engagement projects and established three new community advisory groups.
• PROVIDED 271 Support at Home Packages, kindergarten services, long day care for 1,956 children and funding for 15 libraries.
• AWARDED 237 Community Grants worth $2,598,012.
• SECURED $25,908,337 in grant funding for local projects.
• RECORDED an operating surplus of $90.8 million and a total income of $635.9 million.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM

As one of Australia’s fastest-growing regional communities, we know that standing still is not an option.

The Annual Report 2025-26 highlights a year of progress, from innovative projects and important firsts to the infrastructure, services and facilities our community relies on every day.

The work undertaken this year will help create lasting benefits for our community and set us up for continued success in the years ahead.

City of Greater Geelong CEO Ali Wastie 

The achievements outlined in the Annual Report 2025-26 highlight an organisation that is focused on finding better ways to serve the community while continuing to get the fundamentals right.

Importantly, these outcomes have been achieved while carefully managing our finances and positioning the City to respond to the opportunities and pressures that come with rapid growth.

As we look ahead, we will continue building on these foundations and turning the vision of the Council Plan 2025-29 into lasting outcomes for Greater Geelong.

To view the Annual Report 2025-26, visit: https://geelong.link/AnnualRpt