AusLeisure

The City of Greater Geelong has this week endorsed the Northern ARC Master Plan which will guide development of a vibrant community health and wellbeing precinct in and around the suburb of Norlane over the next the next 15 years.

Currently home to Waterworld Leisure Centre, Centenary Hall and Corio Library, the Master Plan’s endorsement will see the site on the corner of Melbourne Road and Cox Road developed into an integrated arts, recreation, community, leisure and health services hub.

Council will continue negotiations with Barwon Health around a new $33 million Victorian Government-backed medical facility - Barwon Health-North - at the site.

Local Corio Ward Councillor Kylie Fisher, who has been heavily involved in the development of the Northern ARC Master Plan, was thrilled that Council endorsed the master plan.

Councillor Fisher explained “this is potentially the biggest investment in health and community services ever undertaken in the northern suburbs of Geelong.”

She added that the development would create a significant community landmark and asset for northern Geelong, stating “the finished product will provide ‘a real sense of place’ for the local community, something they are proud of and can call their own.”

Major upgrade proposals as part of the Northern ARC Master Plan include:

• Development of a new integrated aquatic and recreation centre to replace the old Waterworld facility 
• A multipurpose community hall 
• A new Corio Library 
• The Barwon Health-North medical facility integrating healthcare and wellness facilities 
• Cafe 
• Outdoor spaces 
• Improved pedestrian paths and trails linking the facilities to surrounding streets and neighbourhoods and better links to Stead Park 

Councillor Fisher said extensive community consultation was conducted though surveying online, at the site and at Corio Village Shopping Centre, saying “this project was identified as a high priority for the local community. Council has been spending money repairing old facilities and patching things up when they need replacing.”

The project is expected to require significant backing from all levels of government.

Here Councillor Fisher concluded “this is a great opportunity for all levels of government to come together to support a project that will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the health and wellbeing of the entire Geelong community.”

The Victorian Government also announced this week that construction is expected to begin on Barwon Health-North in the second half of 2016. This is included in Stage 1 of the Northern ARC Master Plan.

The Northern ARC Master Plan is jointly funded by the City of Greater Geelong and Regional Development Victoria.

From Monday 15th June, site plans and copies of the Northern ARC Master Plan Summary will be available to view at Waterworld, Corio Library and Centenary Hall or online at www.northernarcgeelong.com.au

Images show the ageing but still popular Waterworld. 

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2nd November 2013 - GEELONG LEISURELINK AND TOOWOMBA’S WILLOWS HEALTH WIN TOP NATIONAL FITNESS AWARDS

20th June 2013 - GEELONG LEISURELINK WINS MAJOR AQUATIC AND RECREATION VICTORIA INDUSTRY AWARD

30th June 2009 - GEELONG COMMITS TO AQUATICS AND RECREATION

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