Building facilities for all

ONE of the best things about the sprawling Greater Geelong region is its diversity.

Whether it’s the peaks of the You Yangs, the beautiful beaches of the Bellarine, the winding rivers that meet at Fyansford and the north-facing bay adjoining our city centre, we have it all.

Delivering for all corners of the municipality – to provide the facilities and services where residents need them – helps ensure all parts of our city are great places to live and visit.

In the far north-west corner, Council is really excited to have recently completed a major upgrade of the Anakie Recreation Reserve.

The Anakie Football Netball Club has been based at the reserve for almost a century.

As well as being a welcoming club for all levels of players, the club rooms serve as a key social hub for the rural township.

The $2.85 million redevelopment has seen a new pavilion replace the old social rooms.

The pavilion, fully funded by the Council, includes a large club and social space, a kitchen, gym, cool room, accessible amenities, a timekeepers’ room, and administration office.

It has been built next to the stand-alone change rooms, which were constructed as part of stage one of the facility’s redevelopment in 2017.

Alongside major investments across Norlane (Northern Aquatic and Community Hub), Lara (Recreation Reserve), Corio (Shell Reserve) and Batesford (Bell Park Sports Club), Council is investing heavily in the sport and recreation sector in our northern suburbs, to ensure everybody in our community has equal access to the best facilities.

Importantly, this also means we are supporting girls participation in local sports by providing modern, appropriate and accessible facilities that are inclusive and will give our next generation of female sports stars the best opportunity to thrive.

It is vital that Council leverages support for its community-led initiatives with support from other levels of government.

The rejuvenation of Labuan Square is a fantastic example of how much more influential these upgrades can be, when all parties work together.

Council supported improvements to the streetscape in Norlane – with better surfaces, play items, furniture, and gardens.

On the back of this commitment, and significant public input, the Victorian Government provided support via two separate grants.

It was fantastic to see the community using the more attractive and vibrant space, at the official opening of the space in early August.

Council ($405,000) and the Government ($326,000) have delivered a wide range of upgrades, in collaboration with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Norlane Community Initiatives.

These include:

• The above-mentioned streetscape improvements, which also feature smart nodes, CCTV and free public Wi-Fi
• Additional amenities, such as a toilet, shelter, and children’s waterplay fountain; and
• A fantastic public mural, by Nikki McKenzie, Norm Stanley and Tarryn Love, which highlights First Nations creativity and culture.
• Both the landscaping and the art installations reference the nearby Cowies Creek, providing a unique, local touch and a strong sense of community pride.

This upgrade is a big step towards the reactivation that this part of Geelong deserves.

Through their Lab Square Commons café, Norlane Community Initiatives is already making the area a safe and welcoming gathering place.

The café is open Tuesday to Thursday, and is providing a social outlet for many locals.

We encourage other creative businesses and social enterprises to make Labuan Square their home, which will attract even more people to the area.

With thousands of visitors accessing the nearby Spirit of Tasmania terminal each week, there is a great opportunity to create an exciting new era for Labuan Square.

Cr Sarah Hathway

Windermere Ward, City of Greater Geelong