Residents fight wheel

Andrew Mathieson
PLANS for a giant ferris wheel on Geelong’s waterfront have run foul of nearby residents despite a council survey showing overwhelming public support for the proposal.
A statement from City of Greater Geelong said residents had lodged 44 formal objections to the sky wheel project, citing concerns about noise, traffic and visual impact.
The statement did not list any submissions in favour of the wheel.
Applicant Hi-Lite Amusements plans to relocate a 45-metre-high wheel to Eastern Beach this summer until at least 2011.
The sky wheel, which has been operating in Melbourne, was trialed for three months in Geelong during the summer of 2006/2007.
A spokesman said City surveys during the wheel’s last visit found that about 80 per cent supported a permanent ferris wheel on the waterfront, with 93 per cent nominating Ritchie Boulevard as the preferred site.
The Hertiage Victoria-listed site at Eastern Beach was the home of a former Hi-Lite amusement park for more three decades.
The spokesman said the survey of nearby businesses and residents found that support was based partly on expectations of more families visiting the waterfront and an improved “atmosphere” with reduced anti-social behaviour.
Peter Dorling, the executive director of lobby group Committee for Geelong, backed the ferris wheel proposal.
“We are fully supportive of it and (the trial) was a great exercise,” he said.
“I didn’t know anyone in Geelong who didn’t love it. Whether you went on it or not, it just gave Geelong’s waterfront a bit more life and colour.”
Mr Dorling said the ferris wheel proponents approached the committee to discuss their plans last year.
He urged council to consider the concerns of residents opposed to the ferris wheel.
“You got to be a bit careful to give a bit of privacy to the people with homes on the other side of the road,” he said.
“But I thought the site they picked last time was terrific. I think being on the old Hi Lite Park site adds some nostalgia to it and I think that’s great.
“Geelong has been accused of shunting its heritage in the past and this is one way to keep it alive.”
City planners will prepare a report on the objections for councillors.