Australian Cultural and Creative Activity: A Population and Hotspot Analysis: Geelong and Surf Coast

Geelong and the Surf Coast are treated here as one entity although there are marked differences between the two communities. Sitting on the home of the Wathaurong Aboriginal group, this G21 region is geographically diverse. Geelong serviced a wool industry on its western plains, while manufacturing and its seaport past has left it as a post-industrial city. The Surf Coast has benefitted from the sea change phenomenon. Both communities have fast growing populations and have benefitted from their proximity to Melbourne. They are deeply integrated with this major urban centre. The early establishment of digital infrastructure proved an advantage to certain sectors. All creative industries are represented well in Geelong while many creatives in Torquay are embedded in the high profile and economically dominant surfing industry. The Geelong community is serviced well by its own creative industries with well-established advertising firms, architects, bookshops, gaming arcades, movie houses, music venues, newspaper headquarters, brand new and iconic performing and visual arts centres, libraries and museums, television and radio all accessible in its refurbished downtown area. Co-working spaces, collective practices and entrepreneurial activity are evident throughout the region.