Intown Geelong - Baylink Proposal 1988

The Bay Link Concept - 1988

The City By The Bay concept didn't quite take off as was hoped, but the major shopping areas were redeveloped and became Market Square and Bay City Plaza, they were not one giant shopping mall stretching from the bay to Ryrie street instead a much smaller and more realistic size. The National Wool Museum also became a reality with her majesty the Queen opening it in 1988 as well as the Royal Geelong Yacht Club marina. Not much else of the plan became reality at this stage, but much of the land around the foreshore was purchased for future developments.

A new concept named The Bay Link was introduced in 1989 it was not quiet as ambitious as the City by the Bay concept and it re-floated some old ideas and added some exciting new ideas to the precinct. The biggest focal point of the project was a giant tent like structure, inspired by Brisbane's Expo '88. The precinct had many of the features of world class waterfront precincts including Darling Harbor in Sydney and San Francisco's Pier 39. This huge tent was to been erected in the centre of Steampacket Gardens on the foreshore, inside it would house huge community amphitheatre. There was to be a festival type market and international food court also on the square and built onto Western Beach Road There was large public outcry with the closure of Western Beach Road in front of Steam Packet Gardens

The Commonwealth Building which is now the Brougham Apartments was to become the jewel in the crown, a huge IMAX theater project. This controversial plan became a very expensive exercise with the licensing and theatre equipment purchased but never installed. The system was later sold to a Queensland theme park. The IMAX was to be complemented with a huge convention centre next door.

An international hotel was to be built on the land Deakin now occupies, along with a proposed transport museum also in the Deakin Woolstores - Both of these plans were not realized until the Steampacket Place project a decade later with Sheraton four Points and the Ford Discovery Centre becoming part of the project in other areas of the precinct.

Cunningham Pier and Yarra Street Pier were both to be redeveloped with extended marinas and were to house small dining or tourist based businesses.

The whole area was to have a marine themed terracing and landscaping and a boardwalk stretching Steampaket Gardens. Much of the Steampacket Garden's landscaping was complete including the installation of giant palm trees and extensive red brickwork. before being redeveloped in the Steampacket Place project.

Steampacket Gardens was also to be home to a sailing pond which could also be used as a skating rink in the colder months. Very little of the Bay Link Plan actually got of the ground other than the purchase of chunks of land.
See also - City by the Bay Plan