THE CITY centre’s Malop, Little Malop, James and Star streets and Shorts Place will receive a breath of fresh air under a $3 million package announced by the State Government yesterday.
The handout will bolster a $4.5 million program already committed by City Hall aimed at opening the city centre and attracting new investment and jobs to Geelong.
“A focus of the project will be to open up the city’s laneways, enhance the pedestrian environment and beautify streets,” Premier Denis Napthine said.
“It will also improve CBD connections with the train station, the arts precinct, Johnstone Park and the health services and hospital precinct.”
The project has been divided into four components: the Malop Street capital works project, the Dennys Place Breakthrough, the Laneways connectivity and the Myers Street capital works.
Up to 42 jobs would be created during construction with potential for 45 direct and 40 indirect jobs after construction, due to enhanced business opportunities.
“The revitalisation project will have numerous social, economic and environmental benefits for the City of Greater Geelong,” Dr Napthine said.
“It will enhance liveability, create new opportunities for property and business investments, expand demand and supply of goods and services, and attract visitors and new residents.”
Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons said the targeted streets and laneways offered “a rare development opportunity and lend themselves to forming a hub of restaurants, cafes, bars and creative arts based businesses”.
“Amongst the works to be funded will be new paving, street trees, lighting, public seating, wayfinding signage and public art,” he said.
“This part of Central Geelong has the potential to mirror the laneway atmosphere of Melbourne but without the traffic and congestion hassles.”
