Hopes for mall overhaul

LITTLE Malop St mall will be upgraded if City Hall approves funding for the project in its upcoming budget.

The City of Greater Geelong has revealed it will try to find funds to overhaul the troubled precinct after considering high-level State Government-commissioned plans.

But it’s understood the Government has not received any applications for additional funding to implement the proposed master plan.

During the past few weeks, police, council and homelessness provider Neami National have made concerted efforts to find accommodation for those sleeping rough and to try and quell anti-social behaviour in the inner city.

There has been growing concern about safety in the precinct this year

Neami National spokeswoman Rebecca Hannon said the agency had been providing Geelong rough sleepers with access to emergency accommodation and health services since February.

She said strike teams had reached out to rough sleepers.

“In the short time that the service has been running, it has already been able to support a number of rough sleepers into long-term housing,” Ms Hannon said.

“Neami National is also supporting people over the longer term, with supports that help people to remain housed and address individual needs such as connections with community and daily living skills development.”

Geelong police say that patrols have been ramped up in the mall.

Acting Senior-Sergeant Janet Gleeson said that in March police issued 60 penalty notices for behaviour offences, filed eight briefs for offences, executed three warrants that led to remands, carried out drug diversions and seized weapons.

She said the operation, as well as the work of Neami National, had stopped people loitering in the area or committing offences.

“We hope this has shown people that they need to behave with respect in the mall. We want people to be able to feel safe,” she said.

Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said key groups had worked hard to make the mall more socially inviting and find better accommodation for rough sleepers and the benefits were starting to show.

He said the council was committed to investing in central Geelong. “We want the CBD thriving,” he said.

City’s director of investment and attraction, Brett Luxford, said the council was liaising with business owners and Market Square on redevelopment options.