Intown Geelong - City By The Bay Proposal 1981

City by the Bay concept 1981

The City by the Bay concept was released to the public in November 1981 and was the most amazing planning concept ever seen. The whole waterfront area which had became dormant over many decades was to be revitalized into a tourist mecca and the old dreary city area was to rebuilt into a mix of huge retail malls, leisure and tourist zones. Other than the shopping centres much of the plan did not take off but some 25 years later many of the original concepts have been readdressed and are now part of our shinning waterfront and city precinct.

Some of the highlights of the plan included

Cunningham Pier was to be transformed into a 'Grand Jetty Restaurant' where Smorgys now stands. The pier was also to have covered areas for events and markets, and and what was to be Australia's only first class Aquarium.

Yarra Street Pier (no longer standing) was to be redeveloped with a marina, botel and jetties.

What is now Steampacket place was to be home to 'The Farmer's Market and the 'Gourmet's delight' which was to be an international food court. The area was also to have a huge glass canopy which could be used for skating, theatre, concerts and the like. Where Four Points Sheraton now stands International Pavilion was to be built, this was to be a market and food court.

Where Deakin University now stands a huge hotel and convention centre was to be built. The area around Brougham, Moorabool Streets and the now Harbor was to be home to museums, including the Science and Technology Centre, Industrial Hall and the Children's Museum and a Maritime Museum in the Customs House. The National Wool Museum was also part of the plan which was completed.

A model showing the Aquarium in the front and the convention center at the rear

The city was also planed to have a huge overhaul. The huge brick wool stores along Brougham street were to be transformed into a huge shopping mall which stretched to Ryrie Street and linked undercover with the Steampacket Garden complexes. Interestingly there has been a lot of controversy in Geelong recently with plans for overhead walkways, The City By the Bay Plan had several linking the buildings including one over Moorabool Street. Much of this retail plan became Bay City Plaza and Market Square. Much of Moorabool Street was to become a huge pedestrian walkway transformed with street art, furniture and plantings. Much of this has just been complete.

The City by the Bay plan was to take nearly 10 years with stage one taking five years and with a mix of public and private money exceeding $65 million.

Plans required several streets to be removed or closed off including Corio Street (which happened to make way for Bay City Plaza) Eastern Beach Road, Little Malop Street and even Malop street between Yarra and Moorabool.

2000 additional car parking places were part of the plan and a transit bus to move people around the area was also proposed.

The proposed Moorabool Street Skybridge linking what is now Homehouse to Bay City Plaza

Some of the more notable icons in the city were planed to be removed they included Commonwealth Offices- (Now apartments) Geelong Harbor Trust Building (Still Standing) RSL Club (Now 4 Points Sheraton) Powerstation (Now Coles BCP) Blakinstons Building - (Now Deakin) SEC Offices (Just removed as part of Bay City Redevelopment 2007) Corio Theatre (now Market Square) Harry Hoopers (now Market Square) Jacobs Street Carpark (Now Market Square) Waterside Workers Hall (now Bay City Plaza)
	Malop Street was to be closed off between Moorabool and Yarra Streets. A huge underground car park was to be built under what is now Market Square

See also: The Baylink Plan