OUR BAYFRONT ‘BOMBSITES’: CLEAN UP THE WATERFFRONT: Bay trail dream languishing

By Noel Murphy
PLANS to open Corio Bay’s shoreline to cyclists and pedestrians through a pathway complete with tunnels, flyovers, boardwalks and bridges have fallen to the wayside.
Seven years after they were raised, and despite federal, state and local government support, Corio historian Ferg Hamilton’s plan is no nearer completion.
He sought a continuous trail around the bay linking Bob McGovern walk at Rippleside park with a heritage walk and park at Hovell’s Creek. The trail would include tracks at North Geelong and North Shore and link Lara to Eastern Park.
Mr Hamilton’s proposal would also recognise pioneers who settled Geelong’s north with bollards and storyboards.
His idea joins other failed plans to beautify, improve or redevelop degraded shoreline sites in areas including Western Beach, Osborne Park, Rippleside and Eastern Park.
MPs Richard Marles and John Eren have championed Mr Hamilton’s plan in federal and state parliaments respectively, while Mayor John Mitchell has also given it his backing.
“I’ve prepared and presented many plans to City of Greater Geelong and others,” Mr Hamilton said.
“In 2008 I was invited by COGG to present the plan to Inspiring Place Pty Ltd in Hobart. This group stopped over in Geelong to address and consider various plans submitted by many groups.
“The only feedback I received was verbal. The plan showed great merit for little cost.”
Cr Mitchell said the trail was identified within a Barwon South West regional master plan the City endorsed in 2009.
“Funds for a feasibility study are required as the management of the bay is quite complex, including private property, state-owned/managed land, industry and the port of Geelong,” he told the Independent.
“If funds were made available, council would be happy to work collaboratively with all the landowners to start the planning process for this aspirational trail.”
Mr Marles said he had pushed the plan since 2005 and had spoken to every landholder along its course.
“They’re all happy in principle, subject to being able to still use their land properly.
“The council needs to finance a feasibility study, a matter I’d suggest is only in the tens of thousands, so we know how much we have to do and the cost.
“This is a huge opportunity to put Geelong on display. It really should be on the mayoral agenda.”