Labuan Square transformation design

LOCAL residents are urged to have their say on a concept design to transform Norlane’s Labuan Square with seating, gardens, public art, technology and new toilets.

The City of Greater Geelong has unveiled the new plan for community to consider and provide feedback by November 29 so it can be considered before the design is finalised.

The council has been working with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Norlane Community Initiatives and local stakeholders to plan the redevelopment of the public space.

Labuan Square is recognised as a valuable local community place to shop, meet friends and socialise and the city wants the redeveloped public space to meet the needs of the community.

More than 170 community members shared their thoughts on what they valued about the square and what improvements they wanted.

Ideas provided through a public survey for Labuan Square included a focus on sustainable landscapes, space to play and socialise, technology and public art, all of which have helped with
the development of the concept design.

The concept design aims to create a vibrant, green, attractive, friendly, accessible and safe public space by improving pedestrian access and amenity and slow cars through the Labuan Square area.

Improving the overall look and feel around Labuan Square with more tree and seating, while also upgrading footpath and crossing conditions, and improving bike riding infrastructure and connections for those travelling to the square.

Gardens, lawn area, timber seating, a timber sculpted animal to sit on, water hole seat planters, and an “urban canopee” featuring self-supporting trellis system for growing vines to provide shade in summer and part shelter in winter, are also planned.

The proposed plan would replace the existing toilets with gardens and trees and a new toilet facility would be built in the Forster Street car park which has easy access from Labuan Square.

Technology would include a smart pole with lighting, CCTV and free Wi-Fi, with relocatable sculptures and ongoing programs to encourage more art on shops to further improve the area’s visual appeal.

People can share their views on the concept design via the council’s geelongaustralia website.