G21 is the alliance of a variety of independent organisations with a shared vision for the Geelong region.
The Alliance includes the municipalities of Colac Otway, Golden Plains, Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe and Surf Coast, the Victorian Government and more than 150 community and business organisations committed to securing a bright and sustainable future for the region.
G21 is a unique, award winning model of regional community capacity building that provides:
- A forum to discuss 'big picture' regional issues across interest groups and municipalities.
- Delivery of projects that benefit the region and cross municipal borders.
- A platform for the region to speak with one voice to all levels of government.
What is G21?
G = group, Geelong and goals. 21 = 21st Century. Accordingly, G21 refers to the group representing the Geelong region in achieving goals in the 21st Century...
G21 is an alliance of five Councils (Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Golden Plains and Queenscliffe) and more than 150 participating local organisations working together towards a common vision: "making the Geelong Region Australia's most desirable destination for living, visiting and investing - renowned for its vibrant, cohesive community, exceptional physical environment and vigorous economy".
Formed in 2002, the heart of G21 is a series of Pillar Groups representing priority interest areas of the Region including: Arts, Culture & Heritage, Community Safety & Security, Economic Development, Environment, Health & Wellbeing, Lifelong Learning, Research, Sport & Recreation, Telecommunications and Transportation. The Pillar Groups range in size from 12 to 25 people and include representatives from diverse business, community and government organisations from all parts of the Region.
The first major achievement of G21 was the development of the Geelong Region Strategic Plan in 2003. Developed through extensive consultation with the G21 Pillars, the Strategic Plan identified twenty-four key projects that needed to happen to enable the Geelong Region to take full advantage of the opportunities presented in the 21st Century. Since its launch in November 2003, twenty-one of the Projects are now underway or complete and are presented in the G21 Region Report 2005 .
The development of the Geelong Region Strategic Plan was an important first step for G21. Apart from achieving some significant Project results, it also demonstrated a spirit of co-operation and goodwill that has gained the attention of communities from around the country, as well as all levels of Government.
The logical next step for G21 was to evolve the scope of the Plan to make it more far-reaching in its application. By combining the lessons learned in the Strategic Plan implementation with the identified need for a Sustainable Regional Growth Strategy, the basis for the second plan was born.
The new G21 Region Plan is now in development. It incorporates all projects from the first Strategic Plan, moves into new territory such as Land Use and Service and Infrastructure Planning and will deliver a new set of priorities for the Region that look towards the year 2040 and achieving sustainable social and environmental outcomes as well as economic generation.
The G21 Region Plan will be developed in three stages and started by bringing together the research and plans we already have in the Region. The ongoing progress of this task, including a Research Register audit list, is available on this web site.
The second stage was an extensive consultation process that is seeking advice and opinions from various interest groups (including, but not limited to the G21 Pillar Groups) on the opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the future of the Region. Consultation forums were held throughout September 2005, followed by a series of review forums.
G21 and the G21 Region Plan - a pictorial overview G21 & GRP 2005
Whilst community consultation is the core role of organisations participating in Plan development, additional targeted consultation forums will be undertaken, as well as direct surveying. An invitation to contribute to the G21 Region Plan will be extended to the public through various local newspapers, as well as via distribution of an information and survey form to community access areas throughout the Region. In addition, anyone with an interest in the future of the Region is encouraged to participate in the ‘HAVE YOUR SAY’ consultation forum on this web site. Overviews and summaries of the consultation results will be posted throughout the development of the Plan.
The last stage of the Plan's development is securing agreement as to what needs to happen and developing an implementation and monitoring procedure to ensure delivery.
Due largely to the success of the first Geelong Region Strategic Plan, development of the new G21 Region Plan 2007 has the full backing of Local Government as well as three State Government Planning Departments in: Regional Development Victoria; Sustainability and Environment and; Victorian Communities. It is a first in Victoria and, we believe, Australia.
The launch target for the G21 Region Plan is September 2007.