City, Market Square owners, federal MP hold talks

THE City of Greater Geelong is reporting some progress in its ambitions for Market Square, following a recent meeting between the city’s mayor, the shopping centre’s owner and manager, and the local federal MP.

In a statement earlier this week, the city described the talks between Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj, Market Square owner Phil Wong of Davinski Nominees, Knight Frank associate director of asset management services Lurline Lett and Corio federal member Richard Marles as “a productive and very positive conversation” that “enabled everyone to exchange views about the future of Market Square”.

According to the statement, all parties noted the “the site’s significance for central Geelong’s revitalisation” and Market Square’s owners “confirmed their ambition to develop the site and discussed options for further steps forward”.

Another meeting between the parties has already been organised.Cr Stretch Kontelj said central Geelong revitalisation was a priority.

“When I ran to be mayor, I flagged central Geelong’s revitalisation as a key issue of mine, which is why I’m getting on with getting all the stakeholders together so we can move on this,” Mayor Kontelj said.

“I first worked with Phil Wong in 1998, so this meeting was a great opportunity to get reacquainted.

“Mr Wong has indicated to me that the time is now right to move on this, and he is confident we can work together.

“I want to thank Mr Wong, Davinski Nominees, Knight Frank and Richard Marles for their time and I look forward to the next meeting.”

Mr Marles also spoke positively about the meeting.

“Redeveloping the iconic Market Square precinct is an essential element to revitalising the CBD in Geelong,” he said.

“I’m very pleased that both parties are committed to developing the site, which will further enhance our beautiful city.”

The city has created a draft Market Square Masterplan with MGS Architects that aims to, according to the city, “guide development and progressively reinvigorate the city block bound by Malop, Yarra, Ryrie and Moorabool streets”.

The city’s preferred “Malop Heart” option for the block would create:

A north-south pedestrian “Eat Street” with outdoor dining, creating an extension of Union Street through the site

A new plaza on Malop Street that benefits from northern light

An adaptable central open space to support outdoor events and markets

A tower development of between five and 12 storeys above parking, with the potential to include a supermarket.

Conversion of Union Street to slow traffic speeds with more greenery planted.

The city cannot unilaterally bring the concepts within the masterplan to life as most of the block is privately owned, including Market Square itself – a fact the masterplan acknowledges – but MGS Architects state the city “believes it is worth advocating for the considered transformation of such sites in recognition of the strategic importance of this location to the whole of Geelong”.