City needs ‘east link’

By John Van Klaveren
ONLY a bypass link to the Bellarine Peninsula will solve Geelong’s east-west traffic snarls, according to new regional plans.
Municipal alliance group G21’s regional growth plan and regional economic strategy both identified ring road completion as crucial.
The plans said connections with the Surf Coast, Bannockburn and Colac were also important.
The road project would remove a “significant degree of traffic and freight” through Geelong to help the city centre’s “reactivation”.
G21 head Elaine Carbines said east west-traffic issues were restricting growth in central Geelong.
The G21 plans said a central Geelong reactivation project identified development of high-density residential spaces and “advanced services activities”.
The project would target opportunities for state and national business headquarters and increased commercial investment.
The plans said generating higher volumes of foot traffic would require effective management of car traffic and the removal of “car-pedestrian interface issues”.
“East-west traffic through central Geelong servicing the Bellarine Peninsula is a challenge to the pedestrianisation of central Geelong,” the plans said.
“(This) is a major part of the reinvigoration plan for the heart of the region.
“VicRoads projects the Fellmongers Rd (Breakwater bridge) east-west access to be at capacity in 12 to 15 years. This will necessitate a further east river crossing to provide for effective intra-city traffic management.”
The plans said failure to complete the ring road would hamper regional growth and development, including a potential increase in tourism from seven million to more than 10 million visitors annually.