It’s time to claim back our CBD

WITH GARETH KENT

Geelong CBD is at a crunch point and many years of previous investment are about to be wasted if we do not take action.

Council elections are due to take place in November, and I am encouraged to see that mayor Trent Sullivan is standing again. I was sceptical when mayor Sullivan first took office seven years ago. I wondered what this kid would do and how he would have enough knowledge or experience to make a difference. However, having observed him as a councillor and now the mayor, I am proud that he is our mayor. He brings energy to his post and has an exuberance to serve the people, and he listens! As the mayor of Geelong his office represents all of us, and if that office is disrespected, that disrespect is extended to us.

Recently I invited mayor Sullivan, to speak on ‘PROPped by the Bar’, our YouTube property channel. I challenged Trent, during filming, to go and ‘’knock on the door’’ of the owners of Market Square. To get on a plane, go to Singapore and get their attention. To his credit, he did just that, with our CEO, Ali Wastie. The two of them arrived in Singapore for the pre-arranged meeting, only to be ignored! Stood up! Treated with absolute disrespect! Whether you love our mayor and CEO or disklike them, they stand as representatives of our city. So, to disrespect them in such a way is to disrespect the whole town. I am angry!

I want you to join me and advocate to all levels of government; feds, state and council, to support a compulsory acquisition of Market Square, for the good of Geelong. The government has the power to compulsorily acquire a property for a public purpose and we deserve to see those powers exercised.

Of course, this would mean we would pay the owners compensation. In rough numbers, this is likely to be in the order of circa $90 million-$100 million, and that is based upon the land value of the site alone, putting very little regard to the existing buildings. This purchase would require the backing of the federal and state governments.

My vision would see the land acquired, buildings demolished and a public-owned park, similar to Fed Square in Melbourne established. Critically, this development must provide two or three levels of underground parking, providing at least 1,000 car spaces in the Geelong CBD. Above ground, it should be architecturally designed to demonstrate that Geelong is a City of Design, as per our UNESCO standing. Overall, we are looking for a $200 million-$300 million investment. We are creating our long overdue “Geelong Heart”’ that will change and unite our town with a proper centre.

Imagine a place of art and culture. It should have a stage and screen in the middle and be used for hosting events. It would bring alive the streets of Little Malop, Malop, Yarra and Moorabool, creating much-needed frontage for retail and hospitality. It would provide the much-needed car parking which would in turn fix the biggest problem with the Geelong CBD.

If Geelong had this parking, its 25,000sqm of vacant office spaces would be much more attractive to tenants. It would be easier to shop and boutique retail would return. Businesses would flood back to the CBD, bringing with it people and prosperity.

I imagine the vista along Little Malop between Moorabool and Yarra to be completely transformed, a late-night experience similar to Manly in Sydney, with lights in the trees, hospitality venues opening onto the streets, with late-night boutique shopping. We could tie the square in with our strong local diverse cultures, inviting these groups to host events in the square on alternative weeks.

In addition, the new ‘’City Heart’’ would be a connecting point. It would tie the (under construction) convention centre back into the town, and it would connect that infrastructure with the hospitality and retail sections of the city. It would provide a space for people to spend time and a reason to live in the CBD. This would boost the value of inner-city apartments and make developments near the CBD viable, going a long way towards reaching our required housing targets.

Folks of Geelong, let’s get loud. Let’s make our unhappiness known that these owners would treat our Mayor and our position on this abandoned space with such disrespect. Let’s take possession of this property and fix the problems of the Geelong CBD in one swoop.

Join me in voting on the online petition at change.org by heading to chng.it/SPr5pnZRHx