About Greater South East Melbourne

 

Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) advocates for jobs, infrastructure, investment, liveability, sustainability and wellbeing for the southeast and everyone who works and lives in the region.

GSEM includes the shires of Cardinia and Mornington Peninsula, and the cities of Casey, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Kingston, Knox and Monash.

South east Melbourne is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia’s fastest growing city and is one of the country’s most important economic centres.

The Greater South East Melbourne region has more than 1.5 million residents. It stretches from the northern borders of the City of Monash and Knox, to Fort Nepean on the tip of the Mornington Peninsula, to the edge of Gippsland in Cardinia Shire.

The south east produces $85 billion in Gross Regional Product and is one of Australia’s largest manufacturing regions, with more manufacturing jobs than greater Adelaide and Western Sydney.

 

Employment

The region is home to two National Employment and Innovation Clusters, one at Monash (75,000 jobs) and the other at Dandenong (55,000 jobs). Another 9,000 people are employed in Carrum Downs.

More than 470,000 are employed in the region but more than 232,000 workers commute to jobs opportunities outside south east Melbourne. Employment growth in the GSEM region is not keeping up with population growth, resulting in congestion and inadequate public transport services.


Population growth

South East Melbourne has two rail lines and a freeway but our growing population is bringing new challenges.

The region’s population is predicted to surge to 2 million by 2036. It is important to make the most of existing infrastructure while planning and building for future population and jobs growth.


GSEM’s vision

GSEM’s vision is for job creation, job retention, future proofing the community and ensuring liveability and sustainability. Jobs growth and congestion-busting strategies are needed to keep the region working, moving and thriving.

 
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The GSEM Board

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Chair: Simon McKeon

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Simon is an Australian businessman, philanthropist and sportsman. He is Chancellor of Monash University and has served as Chairman of AMP, CSIRO and MYOB. Previously, he had a lengthy career with Macquarie Group culminating in being Executive Chair of its Melbourne Office. He continues to be retained by Macquarie as a consultant. He presently serves on the Boards of NAB and Rio Tinto and continues a widespread involvement with the non-for-profit sector, including serving as Chair of Summer Housing. On 25 January 2011, he was named the 2011 Australian of the Year.

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Margaret Fitzherbert

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Margaret is the CEO of the McKinnon Institute for Political Leadership, a partnership between Monash University and the Susan McKinnon Foundation. She was a state MP between 2014 and 2018 and a shadow assistant minister. Prior to her election, Margaret held senior communications roles in the private sector, was a federal government adviser and an industrial advocate. Margaret has served on a number of not-for-profit boards over the last 20 years, including as chair of Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital. She has published widely on women and politics, and her first book was shortlisted for a NSW Premier’s History Award.

James Merlino

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James Merlino is a former Deputy Premier of Victoria, Acting Premier and former Opposition Leader. During his time in the Victorian Parliament – where he served from 2002 to 2022 – he also held several ministerial portfolios, including Education; Mental Health; Disability, Ageing and Carers; Coordination of Education and Training: COVID-19; Emergency Services; and Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.

Greater
by name,
greater
by nature

At GSEM we envisage a future with great jobs filled by skilled and educated people who are healthy, happy, and able to arrive and depart easily to and from destinations acrosss the city, state, country and the globe. And it’s all done sustainably.