The chief executives of Committee for Geelong, Geelong Chamber of Commerce and Geelong Region Alliance (G21) shared their thoughts about treasurer Jaclyn Symes’ budget this week.
And while all three leaders found positive aspects for the region within the budget, such as transport investment, funding for Nyaal Banyul Convention and Event Centre and the Economic Growth Statement, the underlying sentiment of their responses was of opportunities missed.
Chamber chief Jeremy Crawford said the government “misses its cue to invest when the spotlight is on and the region is ready to lead”.
“The budget delivers a cautious path to recovery but lacks the one thing regional Victoria, and Geelong in particular, needs most; big, bold investment in business growth,” Mr Crawford said.
“The 2026 election only gets closer (and) at some point, they need to be bolder. Being bold isn’t being reckless, it’s about being brave.
“Right now, (small businesses) are being asked to do more with less, in a budget that talks of growth but delivers minimal new funding to fuel it.”
G21’s Giulia Baggio welcomed the state government’s commitment to the Melbourne Airport rail link and a bus review for Geelong and the Bellarine, but said there was more work to be done.
“We urgently need a modernised network to encourage more use of public transport and less road congestion, with ‘turn up and go’ services that take people where they need and want to go, which is not currently the case,” she said.
“The development of the Avalon precinct as a significant Victorian transport and jobs hub must be factored into future state budgets, with funding to match the federal contribution announced in the recent election.”
Committee for Geelong’s Michael Johnston said while the lack of new taxes meant the budget had been labelled “responsible… we remain cautious about the impact of rising state debt”.
“As the fastest growing region in the state, it is crucial Geelong continues to attract meaningful investment,” he said.
“There is a reality that the ongoing investment into the Suburban Rail Loop is going to absorb a considerable amount of Victoria’s infrastructure spend for years to come.
“In a period of budget repair, where does that leave Geelong?”
