Green Spine party kicks off next weekend

THE first stage of the Malop Street Green Spine is complete, and a street party will be held next weekend to celebrate the occasion.

An AFL kicking competition will be the main event at the Gee-Longest Kick, which will also include an AFL clinic for kids, street performers, musicians and bicycle maintenance workshops.

To celebrate the milestone, Revitalising Central Geelong is holding a street party on Sunday August 12 from 11.30am to 1.30pm,.

Open to representatives from all senior AFL Barwon clubs, plus the Cats AFL and VFL teams, the kicking competition will see footballs kicked down the middle of Malop Street, which will be closed to traffic for the event between Moorabool and Yarra streets.

The $8 million stage one of the Green Spine project is an extensive redevelopment and includes a spectacular eight-metre-wide botanic walk on the south side of the street, complemented by more trees and plantings on the north side, separated bike lanes and a complete rebuilding of the roadway.

Co-funded by the state government and the City of Greater Geelong, the Green Spine is a key project in the 10-year Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan

Acting Minister for Planning Lily D’Ambrosio said the project was transforming central Geelong, and restoring one of central Geelong’s oldest roads to meet the demands of a modern city.

“With a series of different alfresco, seating and gathering spaces, the Malop Street Green Spine is a great place for people to relax, meet friends, shop, eat, walk and watch the world go by.”

City of Greater Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood the Green Spine was one of the most significant projects in central Geelong’s history and will help transform the city into a clever and creative city for generations to come.

“It is fabulous to see the vision from the community feedback in the Vision 2 process take form with Malop Street becoming a lively and inviting street and a linear botanic park, connecting Johnstone Park to Eastern Park.”

The Gee-Longest Kick will be held on Malop Street between Moorabool Street and Yarra Street on August 12 from 11.30am-1.30pm.