Drysdale Town Square the focus of meeting

BELLARINE councillors recently met with community groups and traders to discuss then next steps in the redevelopment of the Drysdale Town Square.

Cr Jim Mason and Cr Stephanie Asher lead a discussion at the Springdale Neighbourhood centre on the future location of the rotunda, time capsule, and the planned informal playground, which will help inform the final design of the square.

Tom O’Connor, from Bellarine Community Council, also highlighted issues he felt strongly about, including the redevelopment and expansion of the Woolworths supermarket.

“Specifically, what is the value to the township, to the community, and to the local business groups when there are two new supermarkets only 300 metres away and a further new Woolworths supermarket only two kilometres away in Curlewis,”  Mr O’Connor said. “Our concerns relate to current parking and associated traffic congestion, both during the off-peak and more especially during the high seasonal peaks, and now even more so with the waiver of the required additional car parking spaces.”

Mr O’Connor said the outcome of the meeting was promising with City of Greater Geelong personnel able to take on board more of the community interests and ideas in an unemotional environment.

“There now needs to be a follow-up meeting to gather together more of the latest detail to optimise the benefits for all,” he said.

The city has endorsed an updated design concept for the Drysdale Town Square, clearing the way for major design work to begin.

The redevelopment will remove ageing infrastructure to create a more attractive and inviting space for the local community.

It provides for an expanded Woolworths supermarket and new specialty stores fronting Wyndham Street, along with improved seating, an alfresco dining space, new surface treatments and tree planting.

Access for pedestrians and people with a disability will also be improved.

The updated concept was produced following community consultation during 2016 and 2017.

In response to feedback, the design now incorporates a new rotunda within the town square, replacing the existing rotunda, which has fallen into disrepair, retention of at least four car parking spaces at the entrance to Wyndham Street, a disability taxi space, an informal play space and retention of established trees wherever possible.