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Geelong’s iconic waterfront is set for a fresh wave of food, tourism and entertainment experiences, with the City of Greater Geelong inviting local businesses and entrepreneurs to help revitalise the popular foreshore.
This includes mobile food traders, tourism attractions, and water-based activities.
This initiative aims to expand the mix of experiences on offer, with vendors and activities operating throughout the day and into the evening to enhance the vibrancy and activation of the precinct.
Geelong already attracts strong visitation and economic activity, with 6.3 million people visiting the Geelong and Bellarine region in 2024. These visitors contributed about $1.8 billion to the local economy. The waterfront played a big part, bringing in $428 million from over 970,000 customers. Of this, 35 per cent came from visitors and 65 per cent from local residents.
The Geelong foreshore hosts some of Victoria’s most popular events, such as the Festival of Sails, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, and IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong. These events bring thousands of visitors each year and help make Geelong known as a top waterfront destination.
Mobile food traders and tourism operators bring public spaces to life. They boost the local economy by encouraging new businesses, supporting local suppliers, creating jobs and attracting visitors. This EOI aims to attract and support quality businesses offering temporary, seasonal and engaging experiences along the Geelong Waterfront.
Your feedback helps us understand what matters most to the community and what people hope to see to activate our Geelong waterfront. Complete our survey below.
Watch our video to learn more
Waterfront Placemaking Licence Opportunities
Click on the dots below to see which sites are open for Expression of Interest submissions. Red dots show Mobile Food Trader opportunities. Blue dots show Tourism and Recreation opportunities. Green dots show Public Park Recreation Zone. Pink dot shows Activity Centre Zone.
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Tourism and Recreation - Applications have closed.
Community survey
Share your ideas for activating the Geelong waterfront and what you hope to experience here.
EOI Application Information Sessions
Watch the video and read the Question and Answer from the Information Session here
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Expression of Interest commences
Thursday, 30 April 2026
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Timeline item 2 - complete
EOI Application Information Sessions (online)
Will be held on:
- Wednesday 13 May between 11.00am – 12.00pm
- Thursday 14 May between 5:30pm – 6:30pmRegistrations close 12.00pm, Monday 11 May.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Expression of Interest closes
5 pm Sunday, 31 May 2026
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Timeline item 4 - active
Review of submissions
June 2026
Submissions will be evaluated internally by a cross-organisational group of City Officers. During this process, the evaluation panel might ask applicants for more information or invite them to an interview to clarify their submission.
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Evaluation process finalised
July 2026
The evaluation panel will prepare an evaluation report for the Management team with recommendations based on the results of the EOI submissions.
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Timeline item 6 - incomplete
Notification of submission outcome
July 2026
The City will inform the preferred applicants, and all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their submissions, with no less than 3 months’ notice period for existing operators if required.
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Timeline item 7 - incomplete
Business mobilisation of licence-holders and commencement
July - November
Mobile Food Traders and tourism operators' opportunities may commence from November 2026, subject to negotiations regarding individual sites, proposals and operational considerations. The City will respect all current contractual arrangements with existing operators.
Gallery
I need assistance
The National Relay Service is available as a phone solution for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.
- TTY users phone 133 677
- Speak and Listen users phone 1300 555 727
- Internet relay users - visit the National Relay Service website
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If we can assist any other way to help you provide your feedback please contact the project officer below.
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To change the language click the button at the top right corner of this page and select your preferred language.
If you need an interpreter, call 131 450 or visit the Translating and Interpreting Service website for more information.
Who's listening
Have questions or want to learn more contact us below:
| Name | Stephanie Morgan, Property Leasing Officer |
|---|---|
| Phone | 5272 4403 |
| propertyandleasing@geelongcity.vic.gov.au |
The personal information and feedback (collectively the Data) requested on this page is being collected by City of Greater Geelong (City) for the purpose of Expression of Interest - Geelong Waterfront Placemaking Licences and any other directly related purpose (Project).
A de-identified engagement summary report may be published on our website.
If your personal information is not collected, the Project may not be able to be adequately conducted, and the City may not be able to contact you for further questions or to find solutions.
In order to collect and conduct in depth and detailed analysis of the Data for the purposes of the Project, the City will disclose the Data (including your personal information if provided) to its third-party service providers, including Social Point Pty Ltd, Converlens Pty Ltd and Amazon Web Services.
Other than as stated above, your personal information will not be disclosed to any external party without your consent, except as required or authorised by law
Our privacy policy is available on our website. If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to the City, please contact us by sending an email to privacy@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.