Green Spine

Block 1 north side

Stage: Block 1 Stage 1 north side complete

Project duration: 2021

Block 1 south side

Stage: Subject to funding and approvals

Location: Malop Street between Gheringhap Street and Moorabool Street

Funding partners: The delivery of the north side of Block 1 was 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 delivery of the south side of Block 1 is subject to future funding and approvals, and we will keep you informed as the project progresses.

One hectare of new green space has been added to the CBD with construction of the second stage (Block 1, Stage 1 north side) of the Green Spine project complete between Gheringhap and Moorabool streets.

Featuring a landscaped triangle park, cultural heritage features from the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, new trees, garden seating and alfresco areas. The single lane bike path on the north side of Malop Street also continues through this block.

A rich mix of native, indigenous, and exotic plantings has been used throughout the space which is complemented with public art and alfresco spaces. The mix of trees includes deciduous trees that allow shade in summer and increased sunlight infiltration in winter, addressing urban heat impacts and allowing the city to become more resilient to climate change impacts with a connected and strengthened ecosystem.

Along with its appealing, natural public spaces, Malop Street plays an important social and economic role in central Geelong. Local businesses are benefiting from the CBD becoming a destination for visitors and shoppers, with more people choosing to spend time in the city centre.

Thank you for your patience while we completed the works.

Stage: Block 2 complete

Project duration: 2017 - 2018

Location: Malop Street between Moorabool Street and Yarra Street

Stage one of the Malop Street Green Spine between Moorabool and Yarra streets was completed in July 2018.

The Green Spine project is designed to transform Malop Street into a vibrant street and linear park, with an 8-metre-wide botanical walk, featuring stunning indigenous and exotic plants and a series of interconnected gathering spaces beneath a canopy of large trees.

The Malop Street Green Spine project is creating more spaces for people to meet and socialise. The separated one-way bike lanes and meandering walk provide for safe active transport, supporting the health and well-being of the community.

The project contributes to central Geelong’s ‘City in a Park’ principle, creating a new linear park linking Johnstone Park with Eastern Park, and making central Geelong’s streetscape a great place not just for shopping, but for relaxing and enjoying.

Developed following intensive community consultation, the creative vision for the project is underpinned by smart sustainable features such as storm water filtration, and shade and wind breaks that will further enhance the city’s liveability.

Stage: Preliminary works

Duration: 2023

Location: Malop Street between Yarra Street and Bellerine Street

Construction of Block 3 is expected to start by mid-2023.

Block 3 from Yarra Street to Bellerine Street will seamlessly connect with previously completed blocks, balanced between vehicles and active transport, with single lanes in each direction for cars and separated lanes for cyclists improving safety.

Block 3 will see the continuation of the botanic walk along both the north and south sides of Malop Street complemented by native vegetation and planting, separated bike lanes for improved cyclist safety, and rehabilitation of the road consistent with Block 2.

The design aims to enhance the street environment by creating a functional and attractive community space for retail and dining, business, active transport, and cultural activities. The design elements will tie together the unique existing business and trader features, and retail/commercial functions.

Traffic and parking changes

A key objective of this project is to support active transport in Geelong and balance the need of vehicles, active transport users and pedestrians in central Geelong.

Two-way traffic will be maintained along Malop Street and the road layout and active transport design elements will be consistent with Blocks 1 and 2. The design has also taken into consideration opportunities to improve traffic flow from previous block designs.

Download a copy of the Block 3 Project Fact Sheet here

View the Green Spine Engagement Report

Stage: Concept design

Duration: 2022

Location: Malop Street between Bellerine Street and Garden Street

The delivery of Blocks 4 to 6 of the project is subject to future funding and approvals. We will keep you informed as the project progresses.

Concept designs for Blocks 4 to 6 have been developed to showcase the exciting possibilities for these sections of Malop Street.

The concept designs for Blocks 4 to 6 aim to enhance the street environment as Malop Street transitions from retail to residential.

The design elements will flow from Blocks 1-3, with the continuation of the botanic walk along the south side of Malop Street only, including native vegetation and planting. The north side will feature a more traditional streetscape and will continue the avenue of trees established in Block 3.

As these blocks transition to residential properties, the design will extend the neighbourhood character feel with car parking on both sides of the street for the health precinct and residents and improved pedestrian linkages with Little Malop Street.

Download a copy of the Blocks 4-6 Project Fact Sheet here