Geelong explores options for vibrant CBD heart

AS THE completion of the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre nears, the City of Greater Geelong is continuing to explore ideas to fast-track the revitalisation of the city’s CBD.

Councillors, elected state and federal representatives, landowners, investors and developers came together earlier this month for a high-level forum to discuss the critical issues affecting central Geelong and share ideas to overcome them.

Questions, however, remain about how the city will navigate the redevelopment of the Market Square precinct, which has been owned by Davinski Nominees since 1996, with calls increasing in recent years for the state government to compulsorily acquire the site.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the council had “recommenced positive dialogue” with the Singapore-based group and was keen to work with them and other key players to redevelop the site.

“Market Square’s redevelopment is crucial for CBD revitalisation.

“We need more people living in central Geelong, and a multilevel, mixed-used redevelopment of Market Square has the potential to transform the culture of our CBD.”

The forum comes as Committee for Geelong has unveiled its own vision for “a vibrant city heart for Geelong” to the public, developed with the support of Tract Consulting, WT Partnership and Preston Rowe Paterson.

It proposes the demolition of the precinct’s existing shopping centre, refurbishment of the site’s heritage buildings and clock tower, and the creation of a 5,000sqm green open public space, capable of hosting weekend markets and live events, that would extend the Little Malop Street dining precinct across Moorabool Street.

A high-rise apartment featuring more than 300 apartments and mixed-used spaces has also been proposed for the precinct’s current car park site, which Committee for Geelong said will deliver “essential housing stock” to the CBD.

Committee chief executive Michael Johnston said central Geelong required a “bold and creative step”.

“Our city centre needs to be opened up to create a better flow, linking the waterfront and Westfield, the Little Malop entertainment and cultural precincts, the health services precinct, and the Ryrie Street dining and retail strip,” Johnston said.

“This vision provides this by creating the large public open space our city lacks.”

He said Geelong lacked a “city heart”, with Market Square the only place that “makes sense” for this to be located.

“The green heart will feed off the green spine and create urban renewal that can accommodate increased residential living in central Geelong.

“We know there are several projects that can’t get off the ground in the current environment, and this is a circuit breaker, a project that would unlock over $1 billion in investment.”