The City of Greater Geelong is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth.
Sufficient land supply, infrastructure and housing strategies are critical for the liveability and prosperity of the region.
In the urban growth area Armstrong Creek, the population now sits around 15,000.
The seven precincts in the master-planned urban area are expected to provide about 22,000 homes for up to 65,000 residents.
To prepare for this, the City is overseeing the early design and inclusion of key community facilities and infrastructure in the Armstrong Creek area.
The new Armstrong Creek East Community Hub, which is the largest integrated child and community centre in Greater Geelong, opened earlier this year.
The $15.24m City and Victorian Government-funded project is hosting kindergarten, day care, maternal and child health services and a variety of community groups and organisations.
It is adjacent the Armstrong Creek School, which combines primary (P-6) and special (P-12) school elements on the one campus.
The East precinct is also home to the first sports pavilion in Armstrong Creek.
The $3.6 million pavilion is part of the East Precinct sporting reserve, located on Central Boulevard, which will support netball, football, soccer and cricket.
The City has allocations in its 2019-20 Budget for transport, community infrastructure, sport, recreation, environmental and drainage projects in Armstrong Creek.
They include:
Sparrovale Wetlands project - $3.89 million
Construct the sustainable wetlands system, which will provide an end of line drainage solution for Armstrong Creek's growth area
Harriott Road drainage outfall - $1.5m
Design and construct a stormwater drain from Barwon Heads Road to the proposed Sparrovale Wetlands
Regional active open space planning and design, Armstrong Creek - $500,000
Acquire land to accommodate soccer, hockey, tennis, play areas and active transport connections in Armstrong Creek
Armstrong Creek Deviation Channel - $478,060
Land acquisition funded via development contributions to facilitate the delivery of the Armstrong Creek South precinct
Charlemont Road South upgrade - $250,000
Upgrade Charlemont Road South, Armstrong Creek to address growth area development and increased traffic volumes
Armstrong Creek West Community Hub - $250,000
Scope and design for the Armstrong Creek West community hub
Armstrong Creek West Neighbourhood Activity Centre sports pavilion - $150,000
Scope and design the Armstrong Creek West community sports pavilion
Boundary Road and Baanip Boulevard traffic signals - $150,000
Design plans for the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Boundary Road and Baanip Boulevard
Armstrong Creek Town Centre community facilities master plan - $80,000
Master plan to determine future community needs for civic, cultural and sporting facilities in the Town Centre.
Greater Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood
The development of Armstrong Creek as an attractive and relatively affordable place to live is another reason why Geelong is such a highly sought-after location.
With that growth comes the rising demand for high-quality infrastructure. The City is creating a sustainable community by providing early access to key social and recreation facilities.
This allows residents to more quickly make local connections and for stronger community ties to develop.
