Bid for bayfront ‘spa’

KIM WATERS
A waterfront mineral springs spa and bathhouse could net Geelong $6 million in annual tourism spending, according to council.
The “unique drawcard” was included on a list of council funding priorities for 2011.
A document listing the funding priorities said council would seek expressions of interest in the proposal to “establish Geelong as a mineral springs spa destination”.
The facility would have benefits including “increased health and well-being opportunities for the local community” and “improving Geelong’s appeal as a weekend destination”, the document said.
“The City has been working with Tourism Victoria and the Victorian Mineral Springs Committee to prepare the project for an expression of interest to the market for commercial development.
“It is rare for such a resource to be available in the heart of a major city and this presents a unique opportunity to add another draw card to the waterfront.
“The facility will use mineral water emanating from the coastal geology at Eastern Park and will establish Geelong as a mineral springs spa destination.”
Other funding priorities included a convention and exhibition centre and a new library and heritage building in central Geelong.
Council economic development portfolio holder Rod Macdonald said the funding priorities document highlighted “significant” need for the convention centre and library and heritage centre projects.
Cr Macdonald also listed council’s push for a Yarra Street pier cruise ship destination and a “national transport and logistics precinct” as other funding priorities.
“After the library and heritage centre one of our major projects is to drive the conference and convention centre, which will be a major boost for our regional economy and have a significant impact on business development and job opportunities in the region.”
Cr Macdonald said council had “tentatively” placed some of the priority projects for funding in City Hall’s 2011/2012 budget.
Most of the projects had been on the cards for “quite some time”, he said.
“We’ve been speaking for some time now with both state and federal Governments and they’re aware of our priorities. We’ve had a lot of discussions within the tourism industry and focused on the cruise ship destination in more recent times.”
Other funding priorities included extending Geelong’s ring road to the Bellarine Peninsula, revitalisating the city’s Western Wedge precinct, and developing Armstrong Creek’s urban growth area and a marine industry project.