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Central Geelong

Attracting people, business and investment through revitalisation.

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Map showing the central Geelong precinct

Central Geelong is undergoing a remarkable transformation as it is revitalised with projects aimed to enhance the quality of life in Central Geelong to attract more people, business and investment.

Djilang is the traditional Wadawurrung name for Geelong, meaning a ‘Tongue of Land’.

At the heart of Geelong is Central Geelong, located on Corio Bay.

Vision

By 2050, Central Geelong is home to 16,000 people and 60,000 jobs. It is the heart of Djilang (Geelong), Victoria’s second largest city, with strengths in health, services, education, and events. People are connected to its waterfront, high amenity lifestyle and clever and creative culture.

Milestones

Central Geelong Framework Plan

The Central Geelong Framework Plan - A plan for the heart of Djilang (2023) sets a clear vision over 30 years to guide growth and development to support 60,000 jobs and 16,000 residents in Geelong’s city centre by 2050.

The Plan guides the movement, use and development in the city as a hub of jobs, residents, learning and events. It supports the continued improvement to the city’s streets, public spaces and public transport.

The Plan includes built form controls that provide for 1.67 million square metres of new floorspace to accommodate future residential and commercial growth. By managing the form and scale of buildings, high quality design outcomes will drive the evolution of Central Geelong’s character overtime while protecting its existing assets and respecting its past.

The Framework Plan will be monitored and reviewed as needed enabling it to continue to deliver the necessary growth and development expectations over time.

Central Geelong Framework Plan PDF 15.05 MB (opens in a new window)

Revitalising Central Geelong Partnership

The Revitalising Central Geelong (RCG) Partnership meets regularly and is comprised of officers from state government departments and agencies, the City of Greater Geelong and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

The RCG Partnership has managed the delivery of the 2016 Action Plan, and now is coordinating the delivery of the Central Geelong Framework Plan.

Projects already happening that have been supported by the RCG Partnership include the next stages of the Malop Street Green Spine, the Arts and Culture precinct, laneway breakthroughs, the future Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre and other projects through the Geelong City Deal.

Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan PDF 513.48 KB (opens in a new window)

Some of the key outcomes achieved so far include:

Arts and Cultural Precinct Masterplan PDF 28.26 MB (opens in a new window)

West End Action Plan PDF 13.68 MB (opens in a new window)

Projects

Open all

The Market Street Laneway Breakthrough is located at 184-186 Ryrie Street. This pedestrian link connects Market Street to Union Street, creating a welcoming passage that reflects the site’s history, and enables people to dwell and walk through this new space.

We will continue to work with the Greater Geelong City Council to deliver artwork in the laneway and activate the space.

The laneway breakthrough is the second laneway delivered as part of the Geelong’s Laneways Action Plan which aims to create new pathways and improve connectivity throughout the city. The award-winning Denny’s Place was the first.

Central Geelong Market laneway

Laneways Action Plan PDF 9.54 MB (opens in a new window)

The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre(opens in a new window) is under construction and will open in 2026. Funded through the Geelong City Deal, the purpose-built convention and exhibition space, incorporating a 1000 seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.

The Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct Project has been divided into two stages. Stage 1 is now complete with the 440 metre wave attenuator, Wangim Walk opened for public access in 2021.

Stage 2 is underway which includes a new Victorian Sailing School and public realm upgrades.

This project is part of the Geelong City Deal with the Royal Geelong Yacht Club making a significant financial contribution.

The Moolap Coastal Strategic Framework Plan (Moolap Plan)(opens in a new window) was approved in 2019.

Implementation of the Moolap Plan includes the preparation of an Environmental Management Masterplan to guide the design and management of the wetlands and former saltworks. The Management Masterplan will identify the long-term layout, design, works, infrastructure, buildings and facilities, management, tenure and funding.

Geelong’s laneway network was expanded as Dennys Place was extended from Malop Street through to Little Malop Street.

Laneways make it easier to move around and improve the connectivity of a city. The Dennys Place passage better links the Malop Street Green Spine, the city’s waterfront and the university precinct with Little Malop Street’s thriving shops, food outlets and nightlife.

The Dennys Place laneway also improves pedestrian access for thousands of office workers from the WorkSafe and NDIA head offices as they frequent the popular Little Malop Street alfresco precinct.

This project won the 2025 Victorian and National Awards for Small Project Architecture from the Australian Institute of Architects.

The Green Spine project creates a vibrant linear park along the length of Malop Street, connecting Johnstone Park and Eastern Park.

Completed elements have been funded through the Geelong City Deal. The Green Spine connects Johnstone Park to Eastern Park and the Botanical Gardens via six blocks along Malop Street.

The project reclaims Malop Street as a pedestrian and active transport zone, providing enhanced alfresco and social opportunities, a safer cycling route spanning the length of the Green Spine, and delivering a unique and distinctive streetscape showcasing Geelong’s UNESCO City of Design status.

Some phases of this project are yet to be delivered. Details on when these phases will be delivered will be announced when known.

This project is being delivered in a series of blocks:

Block 1 – Gheringhap Street to Moorabool Street (north side complete)

Block 2 – Moorabool Street to Yarra Street (complete)

Block 3 – Yarra Street to Bellerine Street (south side complete)

Block 4 – Bellerine Street to Swanston Street (TBC delivery)

Block 5 – Swanston Street to Fitzroy Street (TBC delivery)

Block 6 – Fitzroy Street to Garden Street (TBC delivery)

Geelong Authority

The Geelong Authority, established in 2015, provides timely and independent advice to the Minister for Planning on planning matters occurring within Central Geelong and the Geelong region. The current priority is to advise on the government’s key housing policies and support growth, development, liveability, and prosperity in Central Geelong.

The Geelong Authority is bound by the Terms of Reference.

Geelong Authority Terms of Reference 2021 PDF 130.79 KB (opens in a new window)

The members are:

More information

Please email geelong@transport.vic.gov.au for further information.

Transport

Updated 26 February 2026

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