Pollies on path to bay’s beauty
A CONTINUOUS walking path from the heart of Corio to Corio Bay would provide greater access to under-utilised and unheralded coastline.
Federal and council leaders have teamed up to push the project, which is aimed at increasing the recreational use of the relatively unknown jewel of the bay.
“Corio, and the north of Geelong, is disconnected from the beauty of the bay,” federal Corio MP Richard Marles said.
“Whereas Geelong has discovered the beauty of the bay around the city and waterfront ... I don’t think that’s enjoyed in anything like the same way out here in the north.”
The creation of a continuous path from Corio would require a missing link from Stead Park through to Seabeach Pde to be built.
Mr Marles said the new trail could follow the Rollerama Creek through to the existing path, which leads north along the water past the sites of Viva Energy and Geelong Grammar.
Geelong City Windermere councillor Anthony Aitken said the area’s industrial roots had resulted in an underdevelopment of community infrastructure compared with other suburbs in Geelong.
“But with the transformation that is occurring ... a lot of this industrial area is being turned over to more community, residential and recreational uses, so it’s imperative we start looking at these types of linkages,” he said.
“If you go down to the bay it’s actually a beautiful and natural environment.”
The pair, along with Windermere’s Kylie Grzybek, will be pursuing funding for a feasibility study into the project.
“Any opportunity to get people walking, active and part of their community is definitely something we’re up for,” Cr Grzybek said.
Mr Marles said: “I think a feasibility study to see what it would take to get this going would be a really useful step forward.”
“Whereas Geelong has discovered the beauty of the bay around the city and waterfront ... I don’t think that’s enjoyed in anything like the same way out here in the north.”