PARK SET TO OPEN

New-look public space to be revealed in time for Nightjar markets

THE barriers around Johnstone Park will come down by the end of the month — just in time for the return of the weekly Nightjar markets.

Geelong’s central park has been largely off limits for several months, due to a range of improvement works.

A $1.85 million raingarden — a feature of the redevelopment — was due to be completed in November last year.

But the City of Greater Geelong is blaming a series of heavy downpours over the past three months of 2017 for the delay.

“The final stages of the raingarden project involves the planting of garden beds and turf sewing,” investment and attraction director Brett Luxford said.

“Newly turfed areas will be fenced off to allow roots to establish.

“(It) is in the final stage of construction and is due to open to the public by January 31.”

Mr Luxford said the council was upgrading other elements at the park, but they would not impede on the use of the basin for the Nightjar festival, which begins on February 2.

The Nightjar market, which is being held on Thursdays during January in Torquay, will operate in Johnstone Park every Friday night in February.

The ancillary works include resurfacing walkways, upgrading the irrigation system to distribute the water collected by the raingarden and new lighting.

“New lighting will make the park brighter at night and will complement the CCTV network,” Mr Luxford said.

“Strengthening and resurfacing the forecourt will allow it to be used for community events and activities.”

The creation of the tiered raingarden began last April.

The project consists of a series of terraced ponds that filter stormwater, removing nitrogen, oils and other pollutants that would otherwise flow into Corio Bay.

The filtered stormwater will be stored in a submerged 350,000-litre tank and used to irrigate Johnstone Park and surrounds.