Geelong maps waterfront future

GEELONG’S jewel by the bay is set for a polish, with a fresh vision unveiled to shape the waterfront’s future.

Released for public consultation on Wednesday, the draft master plan sees the waterfront divided into five distinct precincts, an approach the plan says will ensure each space retains its “unique character”.

Once adopted, it will replace the 2011 iteration of the master plan and guide works along the Corio Bay foreshore over the next 20 years.

The Western Beach Restoration precinct stretches from Rippleside Park to the Western Beach Boat Club, an area identified in the draft master plan as “underutilised” with a “strong potential for renewal”.

 

 

Among the improvements suggested for the precinct are improved pedestrian and cycling connections, safety enhancements such as new lighting and signage, and environmental restoration.

The Convention and Creativity precinct will take in the expanse from the Western Beach Boat Club to east of Cunningham Pier, which the draft master plan proposes transforming into “a vibrant hub of cultural, recreational and community activity” anchored by the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

Upgrades including an expanded multicourt and improved playground are tapped for the area’s youth precinct, as is the redevelopment of the Western Boat Club maritime area. A “flexible, terraced space”, meanwhile, will host events and activities and provide “spill-out space” for the convention centre.

The area stretching from Steampacket Pier to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club will form the Central Celebration precinct, “the heart of Geelong’s waterfront activity”.

 

 

The draft master plan states the precinct is “already a vibrant and successful space”, with future efforts to be focused on “subtle upgrades” that will improve pedestrian access, refine event infrastructure and better integrate open spaces.

Works along Eastern Beach and Eastern Beach Reserve – the Heritage Leisure precinct – will focus on expanding the recreational facilities and amenities available to visitors, which the Limeburners Nature precinct – the area from the reserve to Limeburners Point – will focus on ecological restoration, public access and the area’s Wadawurrung cultural significance.

Speaking to the plan on Tuesday evening, Cr Anthony Aitken described the waterfront as “the jewel of Geelong”.

“The waterfront was transformed in the late 1990s, but there still are a number of investment opportunities that exist,” he said.

 

 

The most “glaring”, Cr Aitken said, is the privately-owned Cunningham Pier.

“The pier as it exists now is essentially closed, but it actually opens up an incredible opportunity for someone, an investor, with vision and significant funding to be able to take full advantage of what Cunningham Pier could be.”

Cr Eddy Kontelj said the city would value community feedback because the document was “a really important plan going forward for the next decade as we continue to develop our city”.

“What we can’t do is just take it for granted that the waterfront will continue to be pristine and as attractive as we always want it and like it to be if we don’t put work into it – and it certainly needs some work,” he said.

The final plan will be presented at the December meeting for endorsement.