Seeking the missing link

WITH 2026 under way, I’m hitting the road to advocate for crucial infrastructure upgrades for Deakin Ward and its surrounds.

First and foremost is a much-needed extension of the Geelong Ring Road linking Baanip Boulevard from the Surf Coast Highway to Barwon Heads Road.

This project forms stage 1 of the Bellarine Link, proposed as part of Victoria’s Big Build, which would eventually connect the Geelong Ring Road to the Bellarine Highway and Portarlington Road.

The first stage alone would have profound benefits for our region, which is why it’s listed in the City of Greater Geelong’s Hallmark Priority Projects for 2026.

The Armstrong Creek growth area, including Armstrong Creek, Charlemont and Mount Duneed, is the fastest growing part of Geelong and will one day be home to up to 65,000 people.

We need a road network equipped to handle the increased traffic resulting from this rapid population growth, and the Bellarine Link is a critical component in achieving this.

The first stage of the project would slash journey times for local residents travelling into Geelong or towards the Bellarine Peninsula or Surf Coast.

It would also alleviate traffic on heavily-used thoroughfares like Boundary Road and Reserve Road, cutting travel times to local schools, sporting and community facilities and on other short trips, and reducing wear and tear on these roads.

Finally, this project will help get trucks off these roads by providing a better heavy vehicle route.

This was an issue that residents at Lifestyle Communities Mount Duneed, a gated community for over 50s, raised at last November’s Council meeting.

The opening of the Boundary Road-Baanip Boulevard intersection has been fantastic for residents living in the newer part of Mount Duneed, significantly improving accessibility.

But unfortunately, some truck drivers are now using Boundary Road as a shortcut to the ring road following the opening of this intersection.

Completing stage 1 of the Bellarine Link connecting to Baanip Boulevard would encourage truck drivers to use this route rather than Boundary Road.

Duplicating the existing Baanip Boulevard would also make it a more attractive route for truckies.

While duplicating Baanip Boulevard is technically outside of the scope of the Bellarine Link extension, Major Road Projects Victoria’s community engagement for the link in 2021 revealed a “strong community desire” to duplicate the existing road.

That same public engagement indicated an overwhelming majority of the community want the Bellarine Link, with 91 per cent of respondents supporting stage 1.

Stage 1 is an important first step in a larger infrastructure upgrade that would have far-reaching impacts for our entire region.

A fully completed Bellarine link would reduce travel times between the existing Geelong Ring Road and parts of the Bellarine Peninsula by up to 15 minutes.

It would also allow truck drivers to bypass central Geelong on their way to the Bellarine Peninsula, getting trucks off Ryrie Street and out of our CBD.

The Victorian government has already completed traffic modelling, environmental investigations and a business case for the Bellarine Link.

So, what’s holding it back? Put simply, funding.

That’s why, in the lead up to the state election in November, I’ll be urging all candidates for our local South Barwon electorate to commit funding to this crucial road

infrastructure project.

Cr Andrew Katos

Deakin Ward,

City of Greater Geelong