Bay traders harbour pier eviction fears

HIGH-FLYING businesses on Geelong’s waterfront face being moved from their longstanding bases to accommodate a proposed Royal Geelong Yacht Club expansion.

Several prominent operators, including Geelong Helicopters and party boat Hygeia, are at risk of being forced from their sites due to the Safe Harbour Precinct project.

More than $19 million in funding from all tiers of government has been secured for the $30 million two-stage project, featuring a curved floating pier and modern marina.

The 6m pier, called a wave attenuator, would follow a similar alignment to the old Yarra St Pier.

That would see it absorb the Fisherman’s Basin area, now occupied by the joyflight, cruise and fishing charter operators and a seafood outlet.

A City of Greater Geelong report states several businesses had raised concerns about the project’s potential to impact on their operations.

Council’s investment and attraction acting director, Tim Ellis, acknowledged Geelong Helicopters faced being moved from the prominent base it has held since 2005.

“Any changes to Fisherman’s Basin infrastructure should be carefully considered as part of the master plan process,” Mr Ellis wrote. “It is likely the helicopter business will need to be relocated to allow this project to proceed.

“The relocation of the helicopter will prove challenging, but options such as a floating helipad could be possible subject to further investigation, consultation and funding.”

Geelong Helicopters owner Anton Westerink said the prospect of moving from the helipad was a “real worry” and threatened the company’s ongoing viability.

The tourism operator flies daily from its highly visible waterfront base, and also by appointment from Barwon Heads Airport. “We need the waterfront site to basically survive,” Mr Westerink said. “I don’t know where we’re going to go if we get kicked off our spot.”

Mr Westerink said despite multiple meetings he was still in the dark about major aspects of the proposal and was bereft of solutions.

“The biggest problem has basically been a lack of information,” he said.

“But we want to work with the yacht club and find a solution for both of us.

“I think we need all of those microbusinesses at the waterfront if we want the waterfront to survive.”

The yacht club aims to com- mence works in March and has secured enough money to pay for the redevelopment. However, it is yet to complete a precinct master plan and obtain necessary permits.

Commodore John Kint said the club was conscious of the potential impacts on traders and was continuing consultations with business operators at Fisherman’s Basin.

The next meeting between all parties will be held on Thursday, he said.

“RGYC is confident that the final design establishes no net loss of facilities for these traders, moreover their operations will be enhanced by infrastructure improvements,” Mr Kint said.