Geelong and Wyndham councils have announced their Avalon advocacy requests for the November state election.
In conjunction with the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Committee for Geelong and Committee for Wyndham, the plan calls for greater investment in both the international airport and industrial precinct.
Mayors of both cities want the state government to eventually outline a three-year program of matched funding between the public and private sectors.
The establishment of a $1 billion regional infrastructure fund is one of the suggestions.
Geelong and Wyndham are also pushing for better road connectivity, with the upgrade of Beach Road between the Princes Freeway, the airport and the commercial precinct.
Further down the line, campaigners from both sides of the You Yangs want to see the Avalon Airport Rail Link delivered to connect Avalon to the Melbourne-Geelong rail corridor.
The airport is already ramping up operations, ending its six-year, post-Covid international flight hiatus, with Jetstar services to Bali resuming in March.
Defence and manufacturing activities have ramped up and a new freight facility was opened late last year.
Avalon Airport chief operating officer Dave Moreland said that having these requests met could create thousands of jobs for both areas.
“Avalon Airport stands at the forefront of Victoria’s international future; emerging as a dynamic passenger and freight gateway that is reshaping aviation and visitation, expanding industrial capability, and creating thousands of new jobs,” Mr Moreland said.
“With the right investment, Avalon will unlock world class global connectivity, build a thriving industrial and logistics hub, strengthening Victoria’s global competitiveness, while providing significant economic benefits to the region.”
Wyndham mayor Josh Gilligan said Avalon is primed to improve global connectivity for one of the country’s fastest growing regions.
“Wyndham and Geelong are among the fastest-growing regions in Australia, and Avalon Airport is central to connecting our community to the world,” Cr Gilligan said.
Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj echoed the sentiment and added that it could be a super charge for the entire state.
“With the right investment, Avalon will become our state’s second international airport, driving jobs, freight capacity, and connectivity for millions of Victorians,” Cr Kontelj said.
“This is about unlocking economic potential and ensuring regional Victoria thrives alongside metropolitan Melbourne.”
