Shop in Malop to help

YOU can’t stop progress, as Bill Heslop was fond of saying in Muriel’s Wedding. It’s got a certain ring to it. But while progress might not be able to be stopped, and should not be stopped, it often has its victims.

Such is the case with the roadworks on Malop St.

It is heartening to see constant upgrading works being undertaken in the Geelong CBD.

But it is impossible not to feel for the businesses whose access, and foot and road traffic is being diminished by the regular works.

The works on Little Malop are no longer interfering with trade.

But, as we report today, the works on a key section of Geelong’s Malop St will be closed for several months from tomorrow to allow for a total rebuild of the road.

The rebuild of the road will be welcomed by drivers, but following a two-month closure of the prominent shopping strip last spring, which saw traders suffer huge downturns in trade, it will be another blow to traders.

It is no doubt in recognition of this reality that the council has waived al fresco permit costs through to 2019 and subsidised coffee vouchers for traders to give to their customers.

Geelong is flourishing at the moment on key indicators ranging from population to new employment.

But our inner-city is yet to catch up. Rival centres from Pakington St to Waurn Ponds are challenging the function and purpose of our nice organised grid.

We can all do our bit by making an effort to support the Malop St businesses over the coming weeks, even if it means walking the extra couple of blocks from a car park away from the demolition zone.

The best result will be that when the dust settles we have an excellent new road, thriving businesses that have not had to shut their doors and a continued roll out of the multimilliondollar green spine.

You can’t stop progress, but we can do our best to ensure it doesn’t hit local traders too hard.