GREECE IS THE WORD
Election vow: 5km Euro revamp from Gardens to Rippleside Katos would be Minister for Geelong and planning kingpin
A GREEK-STYLE overhaul of an extended waterfront precinct will be the mission of a new Minister for Geelong if the Coalition wins next year’s state election.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy confirmed South Barwon MP Andrew Katos would get the Geelong portfolio in a Guy Coalition Government and be tasked with overseeing the generational development of the 5km-long waterfront project.
Mr Guy and Mr Katos went on a partially taxpayer-funded trip to Greece last month to see firsthand how Greece’s second city Thessaloniki had revitalised its waterfront on the Aegean Sea.
The Coalition leader said he wanted to build on the Kennett Government’s work at Steampacket Place in the 1990s to encompass a longer, revitalised waterfront from the Botanic Gardens boat ramp to Rippleside.
A GREEK-STYLE overhaul of an extended waterfront precinct will be the mission of a new Minister for Geelong if the Coalition wins next year’s state election.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy confirmed South Barwon MP Andrew Katos would hold the Geelong portfolio in a Guy Coalition Government, tasked with overseeing the generational development of the 5km-long project.
Mr Guy and Mr Katos went on a partially taxpayer-funded trip to Greece last month to see first-hand how Greece’s second city Thessaloniki has revitalised its waterfront on the Aegean Sea.
The Coalition leader said he wanted to build on the Kennett Government’s work at Steampacket Place in the 1990s to en- compass a longer, revitalised waterfront from the Botanical Gardens boat ramp to Rippleside.
“I will commission the new Minister for Geelong to take charge of the full redevelopment of the Geelong waterfront,” Mr Guy told the Committee for Geelong dinner last night.
“Thessaloniki waterfront isn’t a few hundred metres long, it isn’t just a dozen or so metres wide, it’s huge.
“Five kilometres in length, designed by renowned architects Nikifioridis-Cuomo, the 240,000sq m project was worthwhile taking the time to visit and to learn about.”
Mr Guy said the Thessaloniki design contained 2353 new trees, 118,432 new plants, 23ha of green spaces and 11,600sq m of playgrounds
He told the Geelong Advertiser last night that the city had the opportunity of proper design in order to handle the anticipated population growth.
“Geelong has the potential of consistent forward planning that Melbourne lacks and needs, we have a vision for Geelong that doesn’t just make it an extension of Melbourne,” Mr Guy said.
Taxpayers contributed $25,000 for the Greece trip.
Mr Katos will hold the role of assistant shadow Geelong minister in Mr Guy’s team in the lead-up to the 2018 poll. If elected, it will be the first time Victoria has had a region-specific minister.
Mr Guy also said a future Coalition government would examine which major projects it would prioritise in the region, listing Barwon Heads Rd, a convention centre, and redevelopment of GPAC as potential targets.