Exclusive: New entry to shun northern suburbs. This way, please

Hamish Heard
A new entry to Geelong will divert traffic away from the city’s northern suburbs, councillors announced yesterday.
They said an “entrance icon” and a Visitor Information Centre would frame the new official gateway to Geelong on Ballarat Road after completion of the city’s bypass.
The new route would usher motorists away from the city’s traditional Melbourne Road entrance where an oil refinery and public housing greet visitors.
Councillor Tony Ansett said the leafy boulevarde and elevated bay views for motorists entering Geelong via Ballarat Road would make the city “far more attractive” to visitors.
Cr Ansett said City Hall would vie for State Government funding and allocate money from its own coffers for the project.
“Those negotiations will start just before Christmas, otherwise we’ll miss the boat,” Cr Ansett said.
“The image people get of Geelong is very industrial at present but when they enter via the Ballarat Road they will see aspects of Geelong which tell them why people love to live here.”
Cr Bruce Harwood, who holds council’s tourism portfolio, said councillors had been in informal discussions about enhancing Ballarat Road to become the gateway to Geelong.
“Ballarat Road is looking to be the primary entrance to the city, so we’ll certainly be looking at options to enhance that area as well as looking at locations for the information centre,” Cr Harwood said.
The intersection of Ballarat Road and the bypass would be the “logical” site for the information centre.
Geelong Otway Tourism chief Roger Grant predicted visitors would naturally use Ballarat Road as the city’s gateway after completion of the bypass.
“People will decide for themselves the best way to enter Geelong,” he said.
“The view coming down Bell Post Hill gives visitors a better look and feel for the city and also allows them to enjoy Pakington Street.
“Also, when you look at all the traffic lights coming in through Corio, (Ballarat Road) would probably be a faster option as well.”
Mr Grant said the bypass would make redundant the existing Vis-itor Information Centre at Corio.
Geelong Otway Tourism was already investigating a move to the Ballarat Road bypass intersection, he said.