Council ready to splash the cash on waterfront improvements
GEELONG council is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to unlocking the “immense” potential of its greatest asset, unveiling a $500,000 spend-up to improve its waterfront.
The City of Greater Geelong’s recently released 2021-22 budget proposal revealed $250,000 in funding to develop a new Eastern Beach master plan, and $250,000 for upgrades to St Helens Park.
Infrastructure improvements, security and refurbishment of the promenade were at the top of the Eastern Beach wishlist for CBD councillor Eddy Kontelj.
“Eastern Beach is a wonderful asset, there’s no doubt about it,” Cr Kontelj said. “We know during certain parts of the year the visitation and tourism are immense, but the potential is even more so.
“What we really want to do is develop a master plan that will help us expose the potential of land and water in that whole area, and then start to chip away at a master plan.
“That will look at infrastructure, whether it be the toilets that we know need attention, whether it be facilities for those that are visiting the area like the trails, barbecues, obviously security as in the promenade itself. The promenade itself needs work, we know that it’s been several decades since that last refurbishment was done, that needs play equipment, exercise equipment.
“We saw the flak, and rightly so, around what happens on Australia Day and Christmas and Easter, and I think our plan will also be to look at security and things of that nature.”
The CoGG’s proposed $250,000 for upgrades to St Helen’s Park in Rippleside includes “amenity improvements, improvements to park areas, footpaths and beaches”.
Cr Kontelj said the council needed to enhance the waterfront from Osborne House all the way to Limeburners Point.