IT’S a strange sight that greets joggers, walkers and dog-exercisers along the Barwon River just now – a large metal barge, excavator, rubbish skip, two tall ferrous studs and a dinghy steadily moving their way along the watercourse.
A riverbed dredging exercise undertaken by City Hall, the works will allow Geelong to continue to host major events such as the Head of the Schoolgirls rowing regatta.
The regatta is one of Geelong’s most celebrated sporting events and draws more than 10,000 spectators with 1200 athletes competing.
It also presents a tidy economic impact for the city and local traders – around $2 million a year.
The one-kilometre stretch of river is being dredged to a consistent depth of 1.9 metres to create a fair course for all rowers.
It’s also expected to bolster the Barwon’s prospects for other rowing and watersports events.
