Master plan in works for recreation reserve

ARMSTRONG Creek residents can now peruse the City of Greater Geelong’s plans to transform a vacant site into a recreation and community hub, with areas for sport, exercise, social gatherings and play.

The draft Coastside Drive Recreation Reserve Master Plan covers 13.5 hectares of land, situated on the corner of Coastside Drive and Horseshoe Bend Road.

More than 2,600 people will be within a five- to 10 minute-walk and nearly 35,000 people live within a five- to 10-minute drive.

The master plan proposes:

Four soccer pitches, with the ability to support cricket matches

Sports pavilion, including change rooms, public toilets and undercover viewing areas

District play space, with a drinking fountain, shelter, barbecue area and bike racks

Accessible path network throughout the reserve, as well as a 2.5-metre-wide shared bicycle and pedestrian path Open space, and

Protection and enhancement of natural vegetation, including a potential nature walkup to 150 car parks.

Play equipment will be designed to provide for a diverse range of ages groups and abilities. As part of the engagement, the city is asking community members to use an interactive tool to show their top priorities for inclusion. Options include nature play, obstacles, climbing equipment and slides.

The city is also engaging with state sporting associations, local sporting clubs, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and community advisory groups.

Consultation has already taken place with state sporting associations to confirm their support for the types of sporting fields that are proposed to be delivered in Armstrong Creek.

The council expects to adopt a final master plan later this year.

Detailed design is due to begin next year, with construction starting in 2027 and finishing in 2028 (estimated).

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the city was investing $18.4 million into the planning and implementation of the draft Coastside Drive Recreation Reserve Master Plan.

“We want the Armstrong Creek community’s feedback on this proposed recreation and community hub that blends high quality facilities with the natural environment.

“The master plan’s aim is to promote a sense of place and community, prioritise accessibility and active transport, provide integrated facilities and protect and enhance the native flora.”

While the landscape master plan identifies the spaces nominated for a community hub, school and residential and commercial development, these are separate projects and outside of the scope of the $18.4 million recreation reserve master plan implementation project.

The school is being constructed and is due to open in 2026, along with the community hub and kinder services next door.

To have your say, visit a drop-in session tomorrow (Saturday, August 9) from 10am to noon or head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/CDRRDMP before 11.59pm on August 24.