Tents back at beach
TENTS have again sprung up at Eastern Beach — just a week after Geelong council installed signs to ward off campers flouting local laws.
Two large camping tents were visible at the popular waterfront location on Saturday evening.
An image of the tents was posted to social media, prompting frustration from some Facebook users.
“Eastern Beach is a public place but not a camping ground,” Mari Varga wrote.
“There are swimmers and lots of tourists around and I don’t think it is a good look for the city’s centre.”
Another user, Judyth Anne, commented: “Last time I had a walk down there it looked like a camping ground. What is going on?”
The tents were set up near mobile ‘No Camping’ signs that were installed this month after a group of about 30 camped out at the waterfront.
The City of Greater Geelong swung into action after the popular reserve was turned into a makeshift tent city over Christmas and New Year.
An extended family from Broadmeadows was seen camping at the site on and off for several weeks.
Earlier this month, Concerned Swimmers of Eastern Beach group spokeswoman Jenny Clark said the surge in illegal campers was annoying for local residents.
“They put their volleyball net up and they consume it (the area); no one else can go o near the barbecues or the shelters,” she said.
“It’s making the locals very cross.”
Cr Peter Murrihy said the City had been working with police to monitor the area and do what was needed to make sure there was no further camping.
SECTIONS of roads and footpaths in the heart of Geelong will close this week in preparation for the demolition of the unsafe Belchers Corner building.
The preparations started last week and demolition works are expected to start early next month.
The council’s director of planning, design and development, Gareth Smith, said Ryrie St was closed briefly yesterday so a crane could bring in concrete barriers.
“The full road closure was a safety measure put in place due to the size of the crane and the work required,” Mr Smith said.
Both Ryrie and Moorabool streets will be affected by upcoming closures.