G21 staff feel brunt of council cuts as ‘new operating model’ is pursued
While the future of G21 has become somewhat clearer, questions remain as to who is going to steer the ship now its operational staff have been cut in the face of “significant budget constraints” among member councils.
Geelong
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The slim workforce of regional advocacy group G21 has been told their time is up, as have a long list of local experts who volunteered their time to push its projects.
G21 chair Melissa Stephens issued a statement on Tuesday to confirm a “new operating model” would be pursued, one which would see G21’s chief executive Giulia Baggio and two staff members made redundant.
Founded in 2003, G21 has been funded largely by its five member councils – the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire, and the Borough of Queenscliffe – on a level proportionate to their ratepayer base.
The decision to switch to a new model was not unanimous, but Geelong council’s clout meant that once it wanted out the decision was effectively made.
The G21 name and board that consists mostly of member councils’ mayors and chief executives will remain.
The board will appoint a sub-committee to map out a future that is expected to see Geelong council dominate discussions.
G21 has more than $500,000 in cash reserves that will finance advocacy work in the near future, but how things operate longer term remains unclear.
“Careful consideration has been given to a different model of operations to ensure viability,” Ms Stephens said.
“As such, G21 will no longer employ a team of dedicated staff or facilitate the various pillars that have been the engine room of many projects over the years.
“Under the new operating model, the board has also decided not to continue to offer general membership.”
Money allocated to G21 in 2025/26 draft council budgets, including $338,750 from Geelong and $43,000 from Surf Coast, is now expected to be withdrawn.
The five pillars – culture and economic development, health and wellbeing, First Nations, sustainability, and planning and transport – were overseen by subject matter experts who volunteered their time.
Among the pillar members were GeelongPort boss Brett Winter, Manufacturing Council chief Jennifer Conley, and head of the local tourism body Tracy Carter.
Bill Mithen, who chaired G21 for almost five years up until November 2020, described the disbandment as a “crying shame”.
He said the organisation’s advocacy work was an “incredible asset” to the region.
“I can only assume G21’s work will fall back to individual councillors or the City of Greater Geelong takes it on,” he said.
“It’s better for the region to speak with one voice and it might mean now that Geelong (council) takes up the baton to keep the dialogue going with Canberra and Spring Street.”
Ms Stephens thanked Ms Baggio for her work over the past four years, which included co-ordinating transport and housing strategies, as well as the G21 Region Plan 2050 that outlined long-term aspirations.
“The alliance has many assets which will continue to be of benefit to the region, including a respected brand and a strong network of relationships,” she said.
“The board will ensure that these are put to good use in supporting regional outcomes.”
Geelong council last week endorsed the signing of an agreement with Wyndham City Council to jointly advocate for projects, among other things.
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