World-first bridges are a win-win

Festive spirit

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Geelong.

In case you haven’t been down to the Waterfront lately, our famous floating Christmas tree is now glittering on Corio Bay, after being towed into place last week.

This familiar sight has given me a warm feeling and it’s almost as if we’re back to normal life as I look at the tree and smile.

Council decided to bring forward the tree and other festive initiatives, so that perhaps you (and your kids, friends and loved ones) might experience that pleasant feeling and morale boost too.

After the past 20 months, we deserve to enjoy some festive fun earlier than usual.

The main event though will be when the tree is fully decorated with 400 LED lights and ready to light up, which will happen in the coming days.

Once it begins, the sound and light show will run every 15 minutes from 8.30pm to midnight each night until Friday, January 7.

The tree will stay up for those few weeks past December 25 so that our Orthodox friends can get involved during their Christmastime.

And of course, the tree is a source of pride and joy for the whole community – including those who don’t celebrate Christmas.

I love that the tree is in my ward and each year, I buy coffee for my wife and we go sit and watch the show.

The floating tree is one of a wide range of fun attractions included in our Christmas program – please visit geelongaustralia.com.au/christmas to see everything on offer.

Other highlights include the projections on City Hall, street entertainment and the Giant Selfie Trail across 22 locations.

Age-defying bridges

Have you been to Cowies Creek at Seagull Paddock in North Geelong lately?

It’s well worth a gander down there to check out the two new age-defying bridges.

As chair of the council’s Innovative Solutions portfolio, I’m all about clever and creative solutions that are financially sustainable and protect our environment.

And so it was really interesting to see these two bridges in person, because they’re made from a world-first geopolymer designed to be maintenance-free for at least 100 years.

Given that traditional bridges cost the City of Greater Geelong around $500,000 to inspect, repair, maintain and replace each year, creating a maintenance-free option is a mind-blowing prospect.

Geopolymer uses up to 80 per cent fewer greenhouse gases in production than concrete, so it’s a win-win when it comes to our climate change action goals.

What makes this project even more exciting is that it’s the result of experts from our own backyard coming together to innovate.

It’s been an outstanding collaboration between the City of Greater Geelong, Austeng, Rocla and Deakin Uni.

Congratulations to all on the end result – it’s just another feather in the cap of our UNESCO Creative City of Design designation!

Taking shape

Recently I visited the St Joey’s Cricket Club in Newtown to check on the status of a project that’s been in the works for some time.

Construction is underway on a new pavilion, which council proudly part-funded through a $350,000 community grant announced in February.

Having met with the club and school about this project a number of times, I can tell you that about 16 junior cricket sides and eight senior sides will benefit from the new building, which will include unisex toilets and change rooms.

Umpires and supporters will also have access to the modern-day facilities.

It’s still early days with the frame being constructed but it signals the culmination of a lot of hard work and collaboration.

I can’t wait to see the finished product!

For further info about council’s community grants program, please visit geelongaustralia.com.au/grants.

Cr Peter Murrihy