really good analysis of the populations of nsw and victoria above.

and similarly to that woodward park's location in liverpool. large block of land, the venue currently has a swimming centre, >10 netball courts, enough room to fit 3 football fields, close to liverpool station, along the main road so theres easy access and only a 10 minute walk to a top notch shopping centre.

Corio??? Well if violence at football matches is unavoidable as the media portrays I guess it makes sense to play games in areas where you'll get beaten up anyway. A bloke gets beaten up...he had it coming he was walking through Corio, move along everyone no scandal here.

Big highway inbetween Corio 'the suburb' and Corio 'the administrative border' - stadium would be yonks away from any residential area.

Besides, any true resident of Geelong knows that if you want to get beaten up/mugged/stabbed/shot you go to Norlane ;)

The refinery works for me. It's probably the best location for anyone making the trip from Melbourne.

Of course, I'd love for them to build a stadium on the peninsula, but I can't see that happening. They would choose to build a lot more houses instead of an arena of sorts. ;)

Gyfox has constantly referred to the need for stadiums to be built in centralised areas that have that are close to pubs/restaurants etc. Does Corio meet this requirement? If they are going to build a new stadium and upgrade transport around it, the government would want to see some money going back into the economy somewhere else, the same way Parra/SFS has a bunch of pubs/restaurants around it that get filled every match day.

Unless Frank Lowy leaves a lot of money to the game, can't see new stadiums being built anytime soon. (Based on those pics paladisious posted, Kardinia actually looks decent)

Townsville's population set to overtake Geelong

ANTHONY TEMPLETON •
Townsville Bulletin •
December 26, 2013 12:11PM

TOWNSVILLE is Australia's 10th fastest growing city and could overtake Geelong's population in coming years.

Population figures from the Australia Bureau of Statistics, released earlier this month, show Townsville has been performing strongly in terms of population growth, recording 2.5 per cent growth during the 2011-12 financial year.

Townsville was the 13th largest city but growing at the 10th fastest rate in the country.

Geelong, the 12th largest city in Australia, grew by only 1.2 per cent in the same period.

Economist Colin Dwyer said Townsville consistently had higher than average population growth.

"In the past it has created jobs via economic growth that has encouraged net migration," he said.

"Our net natural increase is good, thousands of babies are born each year adding positive dimension to our community.

"Combine these qualities, with an envious lifestyle with abundant sunshine and an active and connected community and we can continue the population trend."

Mr Dwyer said Townsville's population could hit 200,000 within two years.

"Given revised ABS population figures and (an estimated) population growth of 2.4 per cent and consistent economic activity, Townsville is likely to crack the 200,000 mark towards the end of 2015 or early 2016," he said. "This will also likely and see Townsville overtake Geelong and become the 12th largest city in Australia."

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the increased Defence presence and a strong diversified economy were large contributors to the city's growth.

"A lot of that growth is based on movements in and out of the city due to the army and Defence presence growing, which has provided steady growth in terms of population," she said.

"One of the strengths for Townsville to attract (new residents) is the affordable cost of housing.

"And Kirwan, Deeragun and Oonoonba are some of the fastest growing areas in the state, which is where council has had to focus over the past few years."

Jamie Bott, 24, and his partner Roxanne McBryde moved up to Townsville about four years ago for the job opportunities and the lifestyle.

"When I first moved up here I was transferred to be the second in charge at the old bakery but now I am out working in the mines," Mr Bott said.

"Townsville has been perfect for us, we started driving up here in an old lancer with nothing but the clothes on our back and now we are building a home and have a daughter.

"The only way I will leave this place is in a box.

"I don't miss life in Ballarat at all, it's always freezing and everyone is miserable."

Mr Dwyer said Townsville needed to develop policies to foster population and economic growth into the future.

"We can't relax on the progress of our city and region," he said.

Investing in a Geelong Croatia entity is akin to investing in Balkan stage coach shares.

The above report clearly shows how one of the Qld population centres is surging ahead. Unlike Geelong that are about to lose hundreds of jobs at Ford affecting thousands.

Like I said, Qld is going up and Vic down. The priorities are clear.

Edited by paulc: 17/1/2014 01:52:26 PM

As it stands at this point in time, no. However, won't always be the case - lots of spare land that hasn't been allowed to be built on due to various safety requirement around the refinery. With that gone, there is no reason why that land can't be built on and in turn, revitalised in to a restaurant/pub area, servicing the stadium. Fuck all out there currently, would imagine the residents in the suburbs around there would like something like that instead of trudging in to the CBD and whatnot. Not to mention the train line right in the heart of it already means that people can pop in and out pretty easily from wherever - that's half the battle, is getting people there!

I agree this is all 'pie-in-the-sky' thinking and won't happen unless a billionaire gets particularly generous - however, it's got a lot of things going for it and, unlike many other areas in Geelong, it's essentially a blank slate as far as I can see. There isn't really anything there that would impede the development of a 'football and cultural area' for Geelong - it's just been unused industrial land for so long and the football club could really stop people looking towards the surfcoast (LOTS of development occurring down towards Torquay) and focus on Geelong again.

The latest projections for the G21 Region based on Geelong is for a population of 400k in 2031. The latest ABS High Series projection for Townsville in 2031 is 325k. You shouldn't believe all you read in the papers. ;)

Definitely a lot of growth! Huge long-term potential in Geelong. I figure that there are other more deserving cities out there who would benefit from an A-League license first, but I'd slot Geelong in at being team #14 or #15 in the comp.

You shouldn't read anything by paulc, full stop.

That article might have been referring to only the inner urban Geelong population. Add in the peninsula, which is officially governed by Geelong, and the population is much larger. Add in G21 and it becomes huge!

:lol:

It's unbelievable that the mods have just allowed his racist bullshit to continue to be posted

My hope for the 20th anniversary of the A - League: Season 2024-2025.
Is this just a dream? The numbers denoted would be the membership numbers.

NSW/ACT

Western Sydney Wanderers - Parramatta Stadium - 25k
Sydney FC - Allianz Stadium - 20k
Newcastle Jets - Hunter Stadium - 15k
Central Coast Mariners - Bluetongue Stadium - 10k
South Coast Wolves - WIN Stadium - 10k
Canberra United - Canberra Stadium - 10k

Victoria

Melbourne Victory - Etihad Stadium - 30k
Melbourne Heart - Aami Park - 10k
Geelong Galaxy FC - Simonds Stadium - 10k

Queensland

Brisbane Roar - Suncorp Stadium - 20k
Western Pride - North Ipswich Oval - 10k
Northern Fury - Willows Sports Complex - 10k

South Australia

Adelaide United - Hindmarsh Stadium - 10k

Western Australia

Perth Glory - NIB Stadium - 10k

New Zealand

Auckland City - Mount Smart Stadium - 10k
Wellington Phoenix - Westpac Stadium - 10k

This would total a 13,750 membership average. If the season's average attendance totals somewhere between 15k to 20k, that would be a phenomenal effort. Also hopefully the confederations of AFC/OFC will merge by then. A 16 team league playing 30 home and away games, with a top 8 post season playoff format would be ideal. Thoughts?

Can we stop with the 'galaxy' name...its fucking terrible

Better than 'Jellies'.

Probably works better if the team is full of 'stars' like LA Galaxy or the Galacticos. Could've worked for the Gold Coast, if Clive hadn't been such a monumental tool.

Gee,long Willies

Geelong Timenosees

Edited by Angus: 19/1/2014 09:59:27 AM

If we're gonna fish where the fish are, needs more Gold Coast. Probably at the expense of Fury.

geelong: warriors, knights or cum guzzlers are all far more acceptable

The Galaxy was originally in reference to all the stars in Hollywood, but who would have guessed the MLS team ended up signing one of the most famous people on the planet themselves?

Also on Geelong, it's been known that after their first season of operation their board will be open to changing the name to public demand, just hope they don't go with something worse!

huh, wtf?

Would people be against a Geelong team being set up with the AFL Geelong? Similar in a way to the jets and knights
or calling the team geelong city/fc with the official nickname the cats like stoke city, like some people have suggested the roar to change

I for one would think it'd be worth co-branding, Blue and White hoops, the works. Not sure if co-ownership is possible or desirable given the legalities of the AFL team, but both parties should see the merit in cooperating where possible.

As a member of the Cats, I'd love for it to happen - the Blue and White hoops are synomonous with the town, and so it'd be natural for any football team representing the city to wear them too. Also opens up sharing facilities at Simonds Stadium, meaning it would get year round use (which the council would love).

Lot of positives that I can see, and I reckon the Cats leadership would be open to it - the big question is whether the fats cats at the AFL (Demetriou and co) would allow it. I highly doubt it, because it would mean they'd be helping a rival code.

I can see co branding with the cats working.

You could offer discounts to AFL cats Members for a membership to the football team. Better still a package that could include a seat a both the AFL and Football Cats games.

Wollongong 2015 or it'll fail.