Time for action in Geelong’s CBD

Starting with a petition in September 2024, I have been advocating for the state government to use its powers to act. A petition with more than 1,000 signatures led to a conversation with Committee for Geelong chief executive officer Michael Johnston, who along with Simon Loader of Tract consulting, had been working on their concept to revitalise the Geelong CBD.

We put our minds to what could be, and last week the “Market Square Concept Plan” was publicly delivered by the Committee for Geelong. This visionary plan could be accomplished via a state government-led project, potentially delivered by Regional Development Victoria, or it could be a joint venture between our local government and a private development partner. Who knows, even the elusive owners of Market Square might think this idea has merit and help our town by delivering it.

The vision proposes demolishing the existing shopping centre and refurbishing the heritage buildings and clock tower on Moorabool, Malop, and Little Malop Streets. It also includes creating a 5,000sqm green public space, hosting weekend markets and live events, and extending the Little Malop Street dining precinct across Moorabool Street. A high-rise apartment building on the current car park site, with more than 300 apartments plus car parking and mixed-use spaces. This will deliver essential housing stock for central Geelong.

With the discussion growing, Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj last week convened a forum to determine why none of the 20 approved planning permits for CBD developments are breaking ground. It was great to see so many developers, policy makers, and politicians together, listening and discussing the issues. Overwhelmingly, it was understood the reason these potential developments are not being built is not planning issues, but rather the realities that the value proposition for apartments in Geelong CBD is not there. Simply, the current sad state of our CBD does not entice people to pay enough for apartments to warrant the costs of construction.

This led to the discussion on what could be done. Rob Adams, an architect and urban designer shared what the City of Melbourne achieved in the “Postcode 3000” project. Simple things, such as planting trees to provide beautiful canopies along streets to make liveability much better, the City of Melbourne taking a risk to acquire certain key buildings and repurpose or redevelop them, with public spaces and key components improved, ultimately most of these ended up being sold back to the market for profit, not costing the taxpayer for the outcomes.

Others spoke of transport around the city, suggesting trackless trams, and noting issues with the current bus network and a lack of connectivity to other locations, such as the Kardinia Park sports precinct or even to surrounding townships, such as Bannockburn which currently has no public transport. Also discussed was the simple stuff; way points from the train stations so that tourists and visitors can find their way to our best retail and hospitality strips, more lighting at night to make people feel safe, and a gangway for passenger ships so they could dock directly at Yarra pier.

We also heard from politicians, and it was clear that it’s an election year! Their speeches were, to be frank, off the point. Although each read out a commitment their parties had made to the region, most projects had nothing to do with the Geelong CBD. I was amused when one politician started their speech at 9.11am, emphasising how they had “come to listen”, and then as soon as their speech was completed, promptly left at 9.23am.

Geelong people, it’s time we made the politicians listen. They need to stop and realise what’s important. Our CBD needs significant investment now from all levels of government. When the state government can announce $1.6 billion to be spent on a Regional Rail link, why can’t we get that sort of commitment for the CBD of the second-largest city in the state?

Lastly, head to the Committee for Geelong website, and view the design vision for Market Square and get involved in the discussion. Support people such as Michael Johnston and Stretch Kontelj who are providing leadership.

GARETH KENT – DIRECTOR, PRESTON ROWE PATERSON

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