Geelong council moves to bring back CBD Taskforce to guide city’s decision-making

A group of central Geelong business and property owners out to guide the city into building a multi-storey carpark and bring light rail to the CBD has been reformed with a handy budget boost to boot.

A group of Central Geelong business and property owners will be brought back to continue guiding the council’s CBD decision-making, with a boosted budget of $30,000 per year.

Councillors this week voted unanimously to endorse a terms of reference for a new version of its CBD Taskforce, renaming it the ‘Central Geelong Business Reference Group’ and inviting all previous members to once again join the group.

While the draft terms of reference did not allow for new members to join the group, a last-minute change will invite interested CBD business and property owners to request to join up.

The group is set to receive an annual budget of $30,000, to be used to hire an external facilitator to “prepare, facilitate and provide the reports and documents associated with the group”.

Cr Eddy Kontelj, who masterminded the original CBD taskforce, said he was sure the re-established group would prove invaluable.

“The workshops that were held last year with central Geelong business and property owners offered up valuable insights onpriorities that are important to the business community,” Cr Kontelj said.

“I’m sure continued engagement with the Central Geelong Business Reference Group will see ‘clever and creative’ ideas thatsupport an active and thriving CBD.”

The city formed the 31-member taskforce last year – in a decision that split councillors’ opinions – with the group delivering a report revealing they wanted to enjoy more ratepayer-funded services while having their own rates and fees slashed.

The 32-page report found the group wanted their rates cut, al fresco fees waived and the Central Geelong Marketing levy removed and instead funded by the city or State Government.

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They also wanted the city to fund or facilitate multideck carparking and expand free parking in the CBD, and introduce trackless trams or light rail through the city, along with a free city loop service.

The city’s draft terms of reference for the re-established group call on it to “support Council decision making for matters related to COVID-19 recovery and growth of Central Geelong by providing feedback and advice through a deliberative engagement process”.

“The Reference Group will also provide a platform for prominent, experienced and respected businesspeople to advocate on priorities that are important to the business community in Central Geelong,” the terms of reference note.

The group will be tasked with providing advice on four “priority issues”, including public transport, carparking, central Geelong marketing and commercial rates.

Originally published as Geelong council moves to bring back CBD Taskforce to guide city’s decision-making