Greening the spine
Work on the Malop Street Green Spine is continuing. Detailed designs for Block 3 are now finalised, informed by early 2022 feedback on the concept designs for Block 3 to 6.
A big thank you to everyone who completed our survey, attended an online information session, sent us an email or had a chat with us. We received lots of valuable feedback on the concept designs and wanted to share some of the key themes.
The full Green Spine Engagement Report is now available, including the final designs for Block 3.
Key theme – the environmental benefits are important
- A significant number of respondents to our community survey told us that they would be highly likely to use the botanic walk.
- Many respondents said that improving the local environment, biodiversity and climate change resilience in central Geelong was one of the most important project objectives.
- Many respondents considered ‘connecting to nature’ to be one of the top three preferences for community activity zones.
- There was strong support to create more green space that would make central Geelong a more attractive place to live.
Our observations:
With central Geelong’s population expected to increase to more than 12,000 over the next three decades, the social infrastructure that supports this growth has never been more important.
The Green Spine project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the Geelong community with improved access, facilities and safety features for pedestrians and bike riders.
The built environment significantly affects our health and wellbeing. Access to connected active transport options including safe pedestrian pathways and separated bike lanes increases our likelihood to be active and can lower our risk of medical issues, improve our mental health and reduce social isolation.
The Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan aims to have 50% of trips in central Geelong made by bicycles, walking or public transport.
Key theme – supporting health and wellbeing is critical
- A significant number of respondents to our community survey told us they would be highly likely to ride their bike along Malop Street once the project is complete.
- Many respondents to our online community survey told us that currently they typically walk to, from and through Malop Street, and indicated that they would be highly likely to use the botanic walk once complete.
- More than half of respondents consider support for the health and well-being of the community to be one of the most important project objectives.
Our observations:
After a challenging couple of years, outdoor spaces have become integral to our social lives, and the Green Spine aims to meet the needs of the community by providing open and safe green space, including functional furniture and security features, for outdoor dining, shopping and gathering.
The Green Spine project also aims to increase demand for retail and services and establish Malop Street as a creative and vibrant city destination set amongst an urban forest.
Key theme – strong support for new and improved shared community spaces
- A significant number of community respondents let us know they would be highly likely to suggest Malop Street as a destination for visitors to Geelong once the Green Spine is complete.
- A significant number of community respondents told us they were highly likely to visit Malop Street for cafes and dining at project completion.
- A significant number of community respondents indicated they were highly likely to visit for shopping and retail at project completion.
Our observations:
Research also shows that retail environments with greenery have a mitigating effect on stress, mood and discomfort and can impact overall consumer spend and store profitability. Consumers were more inclined to enter a shopping area when it contained vegetation and the presence of greenery led to higher exploration rates. Spaces with greenery are often regarded as destination places to be visited and enjoyed.
Improved walkability can impact on placemaking, increasing retail spend, rental income, land value and economic development. International research has shown that walking interventions can increase the number of people entering shops and trading by up to 40%. When using the sales receipts to compare retail activity before and after street redesign in New York City, transforming streets into pedestrian plazas led to an increase of 172% in sales.
On a more local scale, research for the City of Melbourne found that a 10% increase in walking connectivity results in a 10% increase in the value of the economy within the Hoddle Grid.
The Green Spine project aims to increase demand for retail and services and establish Malop Street as a creative and vibrant city destination set amongst an urban forest.
Key theme – support for the local economy
- A high proportion of respondents to our online community survey told us they were highly likely to visit Malop Street for cafes and dining at project completion.
- A significant number of respondents indicated they were highly likely to visit for shopping and retail at project completion.
Stay informed
General project enquiries
rcg@geelongcity.vic.gov.au or call 5272 4131
Current work enquiries
Page last updated: 27/09/22