Greater Geelong is making waves overseas as we position ourselves on the world stage as a Clever and Creative city-region.
Our UNESCO Creative City of Design has been approached to host international delegations after we welcomed delegates from 17 cities for May’s UNESCO City of Design Subnetwork Meeting 2023.
More than 20 Malaysian delegates are destined for Geelong for a benchmarking trip following the subnetwork meeting to discuss architecture and environmental design.
A delegation from New Zealand councils is set to spend time here to learn about our region’s experiences, challenges and strategies to manage rapid growth. The group is interested in hearing how the Geelong City Deal was developed and visiting a major project.
We’re also looking to build a greater connection with Devonport City Council following the relocation of the Spirit of Tasmania terminal to GeelongPort. Representatives from Devonport will tour our cultural facilities including the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre shortly and use the trip to explore mutually beneficial arrangements between our two cities.
When the City hosted His Excellency Mr Darius Deguitis, Ambassador of Lithuania in early May, the networking and cultural exchange allowed us to share with him contact details of the Geelong Manufacturing Council for further discussions.
Our interactions with a range of international delegates and companies have led to business opportunities being discussed surrounding moving operations to our growing region.
The City has an agreement with Korea’s Changwon City to collaborate on trade, education and culture and to promote investment and employment opportunities. Hanwha Corporation is based in Changwon City and its subsidiary Hanwha Defence Australia will build and maintain military vehicles in Geelong for the Commonwealth Government’s $1-billion Land 8116 project.
Geelong has a regular wetlands exchange program with fellow UNESCO City of Design Nagoya due to Little tern seabirds laying eggs in the Japanese city and migrating to Australia. Following COVID disruptions, junior high school students will again visit our region’s beautiful wetlands early next year, as well as cultural and tourist sights.
Mayor Trent Sullivan
Greater Geelong’s reputation as a forward thinking, industrious and innovative region is going from strength from strength.
Visits from delegates, exchange programs and business collaborations are leading to favourable outcomes for our thriving economy by financially supporting cultural, tourist, hospitality and accommodation providers.
While business collaborations and attracting global businesses such as Hanwha to Geelong create huge economic benefit through ongoing direct and indirect jobs as well as significant supply chain opportunities for other local businesses.
It’s vital that we maximise opportunities, strengthen existing relationships and build new ones, as the return on investment is significant and will contribute to a more liveable city-region.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken - Strong Local Economy portfolio chair
Geelong’s transformation over the years has caught the attention of cities around the world.
Our location, natural environment, existing defence industry capability and proven track record in manufacturing, engineering and advanced materials make us an attractive region to collaborate with.
We have strategic assets such as Victoria’s second international airport at Avalon and the largest bulk port in the state to provide access to local, national and global export markets.
Council is finding that these exchanges are not only learning opportunities but are allowing us to share our local networks with other cities and companies – the e