Major design work starts on Drysdale’s town square redevelopment

SQUARE SPACE

THE CITY of Greater Geelong 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 speciality 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.

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said the pleasing thing about the design was that it had been shaped by community feedback, and ensured the country “town square” feel would be retained.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the community use the improved space once it’s completed.”

Its proposed construction will be completed in three stages, beginning with the Woolworths expansion (stage one), followed by construction of the alfresco area (stage two), and then Wyndham Street and the lawn area (stage three).

The council will fund and deliver stages two and three of the project, with $200,000 allocated in the proposed 2018-19 budget for stage two.

The project’s forecast further funds will be sought in future budgets.

Cr Peter Murrihy said the town square redevelopment added to strong recent investment in Drysdale, which also included the new sports precinct, and the planned Drysdale Integrated Children’s Centre.

The town square was one of seven redevelopment sites recommended in the Drysdale Urban Design Framework, produced in 2012.