Geelong's Arts and Cultural Precinct Public Realm Improvements Project has transformed the streets in the precinct to support events, alfresco dining and activation from the surrounding cultural facilities and other businesses.

Focusing on Police Lane, Aitchison Place, and the western end of Little Malop Street, the project has seamlessly integrated with the open forecourt of the surrounding buildings and enhanced green spaces in Johnstone Park and around Geelong Arts Centre.

Concept design of Geelong Arts Centre

Revitalising the laneways will draw in more crowds more often, creating safer and more accessible new surfaces, landscaping, and other streetscape improvements to enhance a more people-focused precinct.

The laneways’ design evolved out of a series of collaborative workshops with precinct stakeholders to revitalise the streetscape and better support the needs and functions of the cultural, historic, and creative spaces in the precinct.

The Traditional Owners of this land, the Wadawurrung Peoples, are recognised for their ability to care for Country and their deep spiritual connection to it. The project team worked with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to weave their rich culture and heritage into the site to enhance the public realm experience. This is reflected in the materials used, the landscape design that focuses on native flora and fauna, and mapping of Country, watercourses, and important cultural trails.

The revitalisation of the laneways in the precinct was completed in mid-2023 to coincide with the opening of Geelong Arts Centre's Little Malop Street Redevelopment.

Stage: Complete

Duration: 2021-2023

Location: Police Lane, Aitchison Place, and the west end of Little Malop Street.

Funding partners: The Arts and Cultural Precinct Public Realm Improvements Project, including the completed renewal of Police Lane and Aitchison Place, is being delivered as part of the $500 million Geelong City Deal, a collaborative plan to transform Geelong and the Great Ocean Road by the Australian and Victorian Governments, and the City of Greater Geelong through the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan.

The project was delivered in collaboration with the Geelong Arts Centre Redevelopment project team.

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For more information about this project, or to give us your feedback:

Australian Government logo, Victorian Government logo, UNESCO logo, City of Greater Geelong logo, Revitalising Central Geelong logo

Page last updated: 08/08/23