A fantastic foreshore

IT’S HARD to beat a barbie by the beach.

Sharing a snag with the St Leonards community was a great start to this week, as we celebrated the completion of a key project in the town.

I joined Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker to officially open a range of new facilities on the St Leonards foreshore.

The new infrastructure includes an open-sided shelter with a barbecue, picnic seating, a new concrete path and adjacent landscaping.

It is a fantastic space to socialise, and to take in the relaxing atmosphere of the beach.

For those looking to shake off the sand or refresh after being in the ocean, there are also two open air changerooms and two cold water outdoor showers.

The $430,000 project was fully funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the City.

It is heartening to see an ongoing commitment – from the three levels of government – to continually improve the civic and recreation facilities in St Leonards.

The work along the foreshore follows a range of upgrades in the town centre, to make the retail and commercial hub a more attractive and welcoming place.

This multi-year project – which had funding from all governments – delivered new lighting, paving, seating, hundreds of plants, and CCTV.

It also provided a better connection to the foreshore, through pedestrian crossings and pavement improvements.

Along with the $670,000 upgrade to the skate park on McLeod Street, which was completed late last year, there are a number of new facilities that residents and visitors can enjoy in the town.

If you want to show someone what makes Geelong so great, then take them to Pako Festa.

This local institution highlights the distinct cultural qualities of our community in the best possible way.

The food, the fashion, the music, the performances, and the people – it all comes together for a unique celebration.

Pako Festa is by the community, for the community, which is why it is such a showcase of our local region.

The event returns Saturday, February 24.

Council is proud to provide $100,000 in funding to help the organisers, Cultura, deliver Pako Festa.

I’m looking forward to walking the length of Pako St and taking in all the atmosphere and positive vibes.

There is obviously a wide range of attractions, but I’d like to give a shout out the Geelong GRID Series artists, who will be performing on the day.

The GRID Series (Grass Roots Indie Development) is an artist development program run by Creative Victoria, in partnership with the City and the Victorian Music Development Office.

It provides a platform for fledgling artists to advance their careers and contribute to our thriving local music community.

The five artists – LENNi, Daisy Kilbourne, Baraka The Kid, Wild Gloriosa and Ridzyray – will perform on the Geelong Arts Centre stage, located in the Adroit Chill Out Zone on Hope Street.

If you want to get more of the Pako Festa experience, then I also recommend visiting the National Wool Museum.

The Cultural Bridges: Celebrating Four Decades of Pako Festa exhibition is a wonderful display of Geelong’s multicultural communities through the decades.

It is showing at the National Wool Museum until mid-July.

Cr Trent Sullivan

Mayor, City of Greater Geelong