policy
Geelong City Deal and Rail Projects Deliver Infrastructure Updates
Central Geelong residents see ongoing rail reliability improvements and committed transport funding from the active Geelong City Deal.
How we reported this
The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds track duplication, a $933.6 million rail infrastructure project, has been completed. It removed two level crossings and concluded a 72-day construction blitz aimed at improving train reliability for commuters on that line.
The Geelong Authority's 10 Year Report, released May 28, 2026, records over $1.4 billion in public facilities delivered and $799.5 million in construction currently underway for Central Geelong projects. Council adopted the Municipal Road Management Plan on October 28, 2025, to set updated governance for road infrastructure delivery.
Geelong City Deal commitments
The Geelong City Deal remains active with $370 million in new investment committed across transport, tourism and education. This includes a $171.2 million Convention and Exhibition Centre and a $10 million Queenscliff ferry terminal. These elements target connections between Geelong and nearby areas including the Bellarine Peninsula.
The proposed Bellarine Link road extension, intended to connect the Geelong Ring Road to the Bellarine Peninsula, remains on ice with no current project team or clear timeline, even though it has been identified as critical for future growth.
Local service and access implications
Completed rail works affect daily travel between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds by removing level crossings that previously interrupted road and rail movements. Residents using trains on this corridor now operate under the post-construction timetable that followed the 72-day blitz.
Active City Deal funding supports continued work on the Convention and Exhibition Centre and Queenscliff ferry terminal. These projects sit within the broader $370 million package and link to existing transport routes serving central Geelong and surrounding suburbs. The October 2025 Municipal Road Management Plan provides the governance framework for any future road works under council responsibility.
Next steps for listed projects rest with the timelines already set in the Geelong Authority's May 2026 report and the Geelong City Deal commitments. The Bellarine Link proposal has no current project team or timeline attached.