Clean-up time for Drysdale

DILAPIDATED buildings would be removed and pedestrian access improved under a proposed Drysdale Town Square redevelopment concept plan.

City of Greater Geelong councillors will this week vote on a recommendation to support the concept plan to redevelop the Drysdale Town Square and to update the council on the progress of implementing the recommendations of the Drysdale Urban Design Framework.

If the motion is passed, 563sq m of land would be sold to Woolworths to better connect the carpark to the supermarket.

The development would occur in three stages — with stage one consisting of the Woolworths redevelopment, stage two would see the development of an alfresco dining space, while the third stage would include works on Wyndham St and the lawn area.

The need to redevelop Drysdale’s town square was identified during the council’s 2012 development of the town’s urban design framework.

Council documents state the concept seeks to remove dilapidated infrastructure, improve pedestrian access and site level issues, and provide seating and space for community events.

The council consulted with the community about the proposed redevelopment in 2016-17 and received 80 submissions, including 63 suggested design changes.

Community feedback — including retaining a rotunda, a time capsule and park spaces — has been incorporated into the redesign. Councillors will vote on the redevelopment concept at tomorrow’s community focus meeting.