Sustainable development that supports population growth and protects the natural environment

The Greater Geelong community values

  • Green spaces and corridors, including farmland and recreational space, between urban areas;
  • Easy access to open space and parkland near homes;
  • The uniqueness and significance of natural bushland, coastlines, wetlands, rivers and beaches;
  • Sustainable development that responds to climate change;
  • Design that makes best use of technology for better and more sustainable living;
  • Development that enhances the identity of diverse neighbourhoods;
  • Design excellence and innovation in new buildings and public spaces;
  • Creating high amenity neighbourhoods that are well connected and sustainable.

Success will be achieved by

  • Revitalisation of Central Geelong;
  • Meeting the housing needs for projected population growth and future households;
  • Renewal of underutilised urban areas and buildings;
  • Preserving, enhancing and growing our natural areas;
  • Creation of urban forests throughout streets and parks;
  • New models of higher density sustainable living with access to public green space.


You Yangs

Latest project


Community–Owned Renewable Energy (CORE) Geelong

Community–Owned Renewable Energy (CORE) Geelong, established by Geelong Sustainability, is aiding in the region’s transition to a sustainable energy future by encouraging community participation and investment in renewable energy.

Recent successes include the installation of a crowd-funded 9.25kW solar system at the South Geelong Primary School as well as a 156kW solar system at the Multicultural Aged Care Services site in North Geelong. The latter will reduce carbon emissions at the site by 210 tonnes annually, the equivalent of planting 1470 trees or taking 60 cars off the road.

For more information on Community-Owned Renewable Engergy (CORE) Geelong, visit the Geelong Sustainability website.



View all previous projects


Measures of success

Indicator Current data

Suburban tree canopy – Suburban tree canopy is greater than 25%.

Source: City of Greater Geelong. Frequency of data: Every two years

14% (2017)

14% (2015)

Area of measurement has increased as urban area has grown.

Natural habitat – An increase in the quantity of protected natural habitat.

Source: City of Greater Geelong. Frequency of data: Annually
 898,712 hectares (2018)

Biodiversity – An increase in biodiversity with no loss of species and vegetation.

Source: To be determined
 This measure will be excluded at this time due to a lack of available data.

Public open spaces – In urban areas, 95% of dwellings are within 400m of public open space.

Source: City of Greater Geelong. Frequency of data: Annually
 This data will be available in the Our Progress 2019 report.

Suburban open space – No net loss of open space by suburb.

Source: City of Greater Geelong. Frequency of data: Annually

549 sites with a total area of 2,177.9 hectares (2018)

530 sites with total area of 2,147.6 hectares (2017)

Central Geelong – 10,000 people living in Central Geelong.

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

1,599 (2016)


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