An inclusive, diverse, healthy and socially connected community


The Greater Geelong community values

  • Access to quality education, health services and affordable housing;
  • A strong sense of community;
  • Support for vulnerable community members;
  • A range of employment opportunities.

Success will be achieved by

  • Young people connected to local decision-making;
  • Public areas and local services that are accessible to all levels of ability;
  • A variety of affordable options for people to rent or buy a home;
  • Support for the most vulnerable community members;
  • Local participation opportunities for new arrivals to the city-region;
  • Equity in the provision of community infrastructure;
  • Support for Wadawurrung leaders to ensure their connections to the city-region are maintained, and their connection to the community is strengthened.

Barwon Health - University Hospital Geelong

Latest project


Clever Creative - Youth Council

The City has encouraged a new voice for young people with the creation of the first Youth Council.

The new Youth Council is made up of 12 young people aged between 12 and 17 years old, includes three representatives from each of the four council wards.

Initial priorities for the Youth Council include social and community connections, mental health and wellbeing, and capability (such as skill development, education and employment). The young people will provide advice to the Council on specific issues, plan and run a Youth Summit and provide advice on priority work for the Youth Development Unit.

The introduction of a Youth Council was one of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Jury and the initiative comes on top of further youth development programs aimed at skill development, employment, mental health and wellbeing and leadership. Programs include DRUMBEAT, Girls Go Extreme and teen mental health first aid.



View all previous projects


Measures of success

  • Progress towards the target
  • Progress away from the target
  • No change
  • Baseline data only
What we’re aiming for by 2047 Current trend towards success Current data

Social equity - No Greater Geelong suburbs in the bottom 20% of the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD).

Source: Census of Population and Housing, Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Frequency of data: Every five years

12 Greater Geelong suburbs are in the bottom 20% of the IRSD (2021).

The number of Geelong suburbs in the bottom 20% has decreased by one since 2016. The next census will be conducted in 2026.

Employment in areas of disadvantage - Workforce participation in the most vulnerable suburbs is higher than the state average.

Note: most vulnerable suburbs are those in the bottom 20% of the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD).
Source: Census of Population and Housing, Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Frequency of data: Every five years

As in the 2016, all suburbs in the bottom 20% of the IRSD have a lower workforce participation rate than the Victorian average (2021).

The next census will be conducted in 2026.

Perception of multiculturalism - An increase in the proportion of adults who agree that multiculturalism makes life better in their suburb.

Source: City of Greater Geelong Preventative Health Survey
Frequency of data: Every four years

66% of residents believe that multiculturalism makes their suburb better (2021).

This was a new measure added in 2021. The next survey is due in 2024-25.

Social support - An increase in the proportion of adults that are a member of an organised group (sports, religious, school, professional, community or action group).

Source: City of Greater Geelong Preventative Health Survey
Frequency of data: Every four years

56% (2021)

This was a new measure added in 2021. The next survey is due in 2024-25.

Self reported health - Over 50% of residents reporting their health as very good or excellent.

Source: City of Greater Geelong Preventative Health Survey
Frequency of data: Every four years

54% (2021)

While remaining over 50%, the proportion reporting their health as very good or excellent declined in 2021 (down 5%). The next survey is due in 2024-25.

Self reported mental health - A decrease in the proportion of adults experiencing high or very high psychological distress.

Source: City of Greater Geelong Preventative Health Survey
Frequency of data: Every four years

20% (2021)

There was an increase in the proportion of our adult community experiencing high / very high psychological distress since 2017 (+10%). The next survey is due in 2024-25.


Tell us your Clever and Creative story!

We would love to hear from people about their individual or organisational work, and how it is contributing, or will in future contribute to the city-region’s clever and creative future.

Tell us your story