Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to commend the work of the G21 Geelong Region Alliance. G21 brings together five councils located in my electorate of Corangamite—led by mayors, Darryn Lyons in Greater Geelong; Rose Hodge in Surf Coast; Lyn Russell in Colac Otway; Helene Cameron in Queenscliffe and Jenny Blake in Golden Plains. G21's CEO is Elaine Carbines, who is also a great advocate for our region. The G21 mayors and board are working very hard to champion some great projects, and for the past two days have been in Canberra meeting with the Prime Minister and a range of other ministers.

At the top of their list is a new Yarra Street Pier and cruise shipping terminal to be constructed in Corio Bay on Geelong's magnificent waterfront. Twenty years ago, the Liberal state government—including my mother, Ann, as the local member—transformed the waterfront, triggering many millions of dollars in private investment. The Yarra Street Pier would be a huge boost for jobs, tourism and our local economy. What a wonderful way to visit our jewel in the crown, the Great Ocean Road! I am a strong advocate for this project and am working closely with Councillor Lyons and G21 to lobby our government to turn their dream into a reality.