Osborne master plan in works

THE Geelong community can now have their say on the Osborne Park precinct (pictured) as the City of Greater Geelong prepares a master plan for the area.

Following a council decision in July to retain Osborne House in public ownership, the council made a commitment to develop a master plan to determine the future uses of the precinct.

The North Geelong Osborne Park precinct includes the historic Osborne House and stables, sports reserves and the Vietnam Veterans war memorial.

Osborne House was built in 1858 and reflects the history of Geelong through pastoral, maritime and civic eras and is considered important to Geelong’s history and its future.

The council said it hoped the master plan would include funding opportunities for restoration work on Osborne House.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said Osborne House had been a huge part of the community since 1858, but the council was now looking to activate the precinct.

“We’re looking for community feedback to find out what they’d like to see happening there, and how it might look into the future,” he said.

“We want people to think big and think about what it could mean for the whole region.

“We want to make sure what we do here meets community expectations, but also demonstrates Geelong as a clever and creative city.”

A draft master plan will be presented to the community in May 2019 for further feedback.

The survey is available at geelongaustralia.com.au/yoursay until February 11.