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

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

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

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

14% (2023)

Tree canopy remains at 14% - no change since 2017 due to canopy needing to develop over a number of years.

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

Note: This refers to the protected natural habitat managed by the City of Greater Geelong.
Source: City of Greater Geelong.
Frequency of data: Annually

1,405 hectares (June 2023)

The quantity of protected natural habitat increased 69.21 hectares from June 2022.

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

Note: Figure amended from previously reported due to change in data source.
Source: Australian Urban Observatory.

81.2% (2021)

67.8% (2018)

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

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

485 sites - 1026.497 hectares (June 2023)

There was an update in data collection methodology during 2020, including the consolidation and reclassification of suburban open space land parcels. Caution should be applied when comparing results from January 2021 onwards with past results.

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

1,988 (2021)

The number of people living in Central Geelong increased +422 since 2016. The next census will be conducted in 2026.


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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.

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