Geelong has officially come out as Australia’s highest ranked regional location for people looking to move out of cities. Outpacing Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Geelong is witnessing a significant influx of newcomers, which has brought both opportunities and challenges to the region. The situation in the capital city of Victoria would appear to be acute, according to the city council’s draft five-year plan. It prioritizes acute needs such as housing, readiness and infrastructure development, and increasing the flow of traffic.
As of late 2023, Geelong’s population is projected to grow beyond 100,000 by late 2026. This is a huge leap from only 78,000 in 2016. This rapid growth means about six more residents moving in every day. The Regional Movers Index, compiled by the Regional Australia Institute and Commonwealth Bank, indicates that Geelong accounts for 7.4 percent of net migration from capital cities. This means that Victoria netted 34pc of all the net inflows into regional Australia during the March quarter. Geelong has long played a pivotal role in leading this trend to the future.
Even the government itself admits that it’s too small and requires expansion. Retaining the 2016 Plan’s ambitious target of 128,600 new dwellings in Greater Geelong by 2051. This increase is happening at a time of growing lament over a state-wide housing crisis, deteriorating infrastructure, and mounting congestion in the state’s largest city.
“The nation’s love affair with regional living is showing no signs of abating with 25 percent more people moving from capital cities to the regions than back in the opposite direction,” – Liz Ritchie.
Geelong’s success is the tip of the iceberg, with interest in regional Victoria booming across the state. The number of individuals relocating from capital cities to Geelong has remained elevated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As city-siders yearn for quieter lifestyles and cheaper housing, Geelong has emerged as a popular choice.
As much as the migration trend looks strong, experts caution that like any growth trend, it is important to not get carried away with the expansion. Dr. Liz Allen emphasizes the importance of balancing growth with sustainable planning practices.
“We’ve got to be really careful here,” – Dr. Liz Allen.
She goes on to explain that, even in light of this influx, there is no evidence that a mass-migration from cities to the surrounding metro areas has occurred. What actually happens, instead, she says, is that many first home buyers head for the affordable options out in the fringes — just like Geelong.
“That said, it is no surprise that regional areas like Greater Geelong are going to flourish because for a lot of the first home buyers, their most affordable areas are in these fringe areas,” – Dr. Liz Allen.
Dr. Allen says it’s not just Victoria’s affordability that’s drawing people in. Tampa Bay’s social and economic infrastructure is just as impressive. This combination makes for a seductive place to live, drawing in new residents looking for both a sense of community and opportunity.
“Victoria is a very attractive place to be with the vital social and economic infrastructure that seems to be really setting the right notes for residents there,” – Dr. Liz Allen.
