MALOP OPEN AGAIN

GREEN SPINE MILESTONE

GEELONG’S Malop St is flowing to traffic again after a four-month shutdown.

Work on the renovated shopping strip between Moorabool and Yarra streets finished yesterday, allowing full access to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

The Green Spine project saw the 120-year-old roadway restored, complementing an eight metre wide footpath, extra trees, garden beds, seating and public art.

The $8 million initiative also created separated bike lanes on either side of the street.

Geelong’s acting mayor Peter Murrihy said the works had been completed a week ahead of schedule.

“The Green Spine is a positive step in transforming Malop Street, bringing more shoppers and tourists in to experience this unique space in our CBD,” he said.

“The creation of the botanic walk, along with the multiple seating options, makes it a great place for visitors to eat, sit, relax and watch the world go by.”

The multi-staged project had blocked motorists from February, after an earlier twomonth shutdown last Spring.

While the key CBD street has reopened, there is one piece of work still to be done.

The bike lane on the north side of the road will be painted green next Thursday night.

The project is part of a 10year Revitalising Central Geelong plan, which is being jointly pursued by the council and the State Government.

Other initiatives in the plan include the Laneways Project, the Johnstone Park Raingarden and the Little Malop Street Bridge.

The long-term vision for the Green Spine is to have it connect Johnstone Park with the Botanical Gardens.