Drysdale Anzac honoured in bypass road renaming

THE latest road to be renamed as part of the Drysdale Bypass project honours Anzac Corporal Horace Stanley Waterson, who was killed in action during World War I.

Cpl Waterson moved to Drysdale as a child, where he attended Drysdale State School and the Drysdale Methodist Church. He served in the Commonwealth Army and was killed in action in Belgium in 1917.

The council’s decision to rename a portion of Clarendon Road in Drysdale to Waterson Place comes after the second round of public feedback in 2019 where residents voted against the alternative, Jiggins Road.

The road, between Andersons Road to Buccleugh Street, is one of nine roads which legally require name changes after being shortened by the Drysdale Bypass project.

The Drysdale Bypass runs for 6km between Jetty Road and Whitcombes Road and aims to improve safety along the Bellarine Peninsula and ease congestion.

The City of Greater Geelong council resolved in January to further consider a potential change to Waterson Place, including the impact on residents and relevance of the name Waterson to
the area.

The city found five owners would be affected by the change, in comparison to 24 if the north end of Clarendon Street was renamed.

Council has already approved the renaming of seven other roads that have been truncated by the project, following community consultation.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said it was “pleasing” the Drysdale local will be “remembered for his sacrifice”.

“Council further considered the impacts of the name change, which in unfortunately unavoidable due to state policy.”

Cr Trent Sullivan said they appreciated the feedback from residents they had received during the process.

“Council looked into the impact on residents and the length of home ownership on both ends of Clarendon Street, while considering the potential road renaming.”