Managing Risk to Shape Geelong’s Future
- Michael Johnston
- Jan 29
- 2 min read
Risk is often talked about in negative terms- something to be avoided, minimised or contained. But in a growing region like Geelong, understanding risk is not about fear, it’s about foresight. It is also about recognising that good growth doesn’t happen by accident, it happens when communities, governments and industries are willing to examine what’s changing around them, and respond with clarity and purpose.
During the second half of 2025, the Committee for Geelong undertook a significant piece of work; developing a Regional Risk Profile for Geelong. This is the first time we’ve brought together a structured, forward‑looking picture of the risks that could shape Geelong’s trajectory, and equally, the risks we face if we choose not to act.
We approached this by using our Future Geelong pillars - Live, Move, Work, and Play - as the organising framework. New pillars of Lead and Together were added to highlight the importance of strong, coordinated leadership, while addressing inequality.
These pillars, which reflect the core drivers of our region’s long‑term prosperity, provided the lens through which economic shifts, demographic changes, environmental pressures, technological disruption, and social expectations were considered.
The result is a profile that doesn’t simply catalogue threats; it highlights where opportunity and exposure intersect.
A key theme that emerged is this: inaction carries its own risks.
Whether it’s the pace of technological change, the strain on infrastructure from rapid population growth, or the increasing frequency of climate‑related events, the cost of delay is often higher than the cost of decision‑making.
The profile underscores the importance of planning now for challenges we know are coming — housing, transport, skills, climate resilience — so that the Geelong of 2050 can flourish, not falter.
Importantly, the Regional Risk Profile is not an end in itself; it will directly inform the Committee for Geelong’s next strategic framework, guiding our advocacy and partnership work across government, business and community.
The profile sets the foundation for conversations we must have openly and collaboratively: What kind of region do we want to become? What trade‑offs are we willing to make? And how prepared are we to invest in long‑term outcomes, rather than short‑term fixes?
Without understanding risk, we limit ourselves. We avoid opportunities to be brave.
Risk, when understood clearly, becomes a tool for leadership. A chance to be bold.
With this context in mind, Geelong’s leaders can guide our region forward — not by avoiding uncertainty, but by embracing the responsibility of shaping our future with eyes wide open.
