A new northern plaza at Kardinia Park’s redevelopment will pay tribute to First Nations People in Geelong through its name.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos announced the name Djilang Plaza, meaning Tongue of Land, representing how Geelong and the Bellarine sit on the bay’s edge.
Mr Dimopoulos said the name will recognise the history of the region’s First Peoples and strengthen the connection between the community and land.
“Djilang Plaza is a fitting way to recognise the Wadawurrung people who have forged a connection with this land for thousands of years, helping it become what it is today,” he said.
“The redevelopment of Kardinia Park will transform Australia’s premier regional venue into an even greater place for sport and major events.”
Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said the plaza’s name would become “synonymous with Kardinia Park for generations to come”.
“The word Djilang helps represent and encapsulate thousands of years of history with the Wadawurrung people in Geelong and the wider region,” she said.
Djilang Plaza faces onto Moorabool Street outside gate one at the northern end of the stadium, with the Kardinia Park redevelopment looking to increase the overall stadium capacity to 40,000 people.
The Kardinia Park redevelopment will feature a two-tier northern stand, a new northern entry plaza, a sports museum, an indoor cricket hub, a function room, and technology upgrades.
