Walk on water: wave attenuator opens on Geelong waterfront

THE latest feature on the Geelong waterfront will allow people to take a 440-metre journey over the waters of Corio Bay.

The $10.1 million wave attenuator – which has been named Wangim Walk, “boomerang” in the Wadawurrung language – is among Australia’s longest on-water walkways and is expected to be a drawcard for the Geelong community and visitors to the region.

Funded under the $382.48 million Geelong City Deal, the project provided work for 18 separate consultancies and ongoing construction activities engaging up to 30 contractors at any given time from six separate companies.

Several of the Geelong region’s political leaders officially opened Wangim Walk in a ceremony on Friday last week.

They included Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson, Geelong Labor MP Christine Couzens, Lara Labor MP John Eren, City of Greater Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher and Royal Geelong Yacht Club commodore Stuart Dickson.

Senator Henderson said Wangim Walk served a critical purpose as a wave attenuator, protecting the thousands of craft that use the Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s facilities and visit for Geelong’s world-renowned sailing events, international championships and festivals.

“The opening of Wangim Walk signals a new era for the Geelong waterfront and will help to unlock an exciting future for the precinct,” she said.

“I have no doubt the walk will also be a major tourism drawcard which will help drive our economic recovery – it’s an incredible experience to walk out over the water.”

Ms Couzens said Wangim Walk would be a major attraction for Geelong residents and tourists to the waterfront, giving them the chance to see Geelong from a new perspective.

“Continuing to deliver Geelong City Deal projects such as Wangim Walk is so important for the future of our regional economy,” she said. “The collaboration between the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will make Wangim Walk an iconic Geelong attraction.”

Mr Dickson said the club was delighted to deliver a standout new feature for the Geelong waterfront that would contribute much to the regional economy and community for years to come.

“Wangim Walk belongs to the community and we look forward to the pleasure it will bring to all those who live in the city and region or come to visit our beautiful bay and waterfront,” he said.

“Venturing out over Corio Bay will be a spectacular addition to Geelong’s tourism experience that will provide ongoing benefit to the visitor economy.”

Cr Asher said the Geelong community welcomed the opening of Wangim Walk and the further transformation of the harbour precinct.

“This provides another great space in our city for locals to connect and pursue recreational activities that make Geelong such a great place to live,” she said.

The wave attenuator is part of the City Deal’s $19.35 million Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct Project, which includes the development of the new Maritime Education Complex, incorporating the Victorian Sailing School and the yacht club’s Off The Beach Centre.