July 2023 update

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback in April and May 2023. The City engaged MosaicLab, local community engagement practitioners to lead the process and report on their findings as part of Stage 1 engagement. Together we produced an engagement summary report and full report.

PDF versions of the documents can be found below and Word versions in the Document Library on this page.

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Waterfront Masterplan - Stage 1 Engagement Summary

Waterfront Masterplan - Stage 1 Engagement Report (Full version)

Waterfront Pier and Carousel

Help us shape the future of the Geelong Waterfront

The Geelong Waterfront is an iconic site on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung People. In preparing to update the masterplan, the City of Greater Geelong is engaging with people living, working in, and visiting the area to discover what they value and envision for its future.

The updated masterplan will set the vision and guide works along the Corio Bay foreshore over the next 10 to 20 years. It will provide urban design integration with several major projects including the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct Project, along with connections to our Wurriki Nyal Civic Precinct and Mercer-Gheringhap Streetscape Upgrades.

Your contributions will help the City understand the importance of the Waterfront and how we can best plan for the future.

A masterplan is a long-term plan that provides a vision and establishes principles and actions to guide future development and public improvement along the waterfront. The plan provides community members and developers with information about what is expected in the area and will focus on ways to:

  • Preserve a site’s unique character;
  • Support investment;
  • Promote desired change;

The process of developing a masterplan involves research, engagement with key stakeholders and the community, planning, technical assessments, including economic analysis and costings, as well as the testing of ideas. The process will result in a document that reflects a multitude of perspectives. Short-, medium- and long-term goals will be identified and costed to support the delivery of the masterplan over the next 10-15 years. The masterplan will provide a clear framework for the physical, economic and social transformation of the waterfront.

The masterplan will not include detailed design, planning scheme amendments or built form guidance.

It is time to update the 2011 masterplan. The new plan will help the City set the vision and direction for the next 10-20 years. The plan will be used to lobby for future funding and will also guide the City in enhancing and managing the space.

Across its three precincts, the Waterfront serves a diverse mix of uses - an operating marina, a venue for sports and events, a destination for retail, hospitality, recreation, and learning, and is a significant cultural and historical site. It is a priority that this engagement is informed by an increasing understanding and appreciation of Waduwurrung stories and cultural heritage.

Some of the considerations and challenges in the area include; diverse users may want different things for the precinct, ageing infrastructure, response to climate change and flood / stormwater impacts, and working within planning and heritage requirements.

2011 Masterplan - Scope & Precincts

The 2011 Geelong Waterfront Masterplan includes the Waterfront between Rippleside Park and Limeburners Point, and areas along The Esplanade, Western Beach Road, and Eastern Beach Road. The masterplan features three distinct precincts. The current masterplan review will continue to reflect these precincts.

  • The Western Precinct begins at Rippleside Park and covers the Bob McGovan path down to the Western Beach Boat Shed.
  • The Central Precinct begins at the Western Beach Boat Shed through to the Geelong Ferris Wheel, including significant features like Cunningham Pier, the Skate Park & Playground, Steampacket Place, The Carousel and Visitor Information Centre, the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and many other features.
  • The Eastern Precinct starts adjacent to the Geelong Ferris Wheel and continues east around past Limeburners Point, featuring the historically significant Eastern Beach facilities.
Revival at Eastern Beach

We would love to hear from you

Your thoughts and contributions are a vital part of our planning. It helps us make decisions to ensure that the Waterfront meets the needs of the community and visitors now and into the future.

Please visit any one or more of the multiple options below to have your say:

  • Take our online survey below. You can request a hard copy by contacting the officer listed in the 'Contact Us' section of this page,
  • Contribute ideas and photos with each other in the Ideas and Inspiration section below, and/or
  • Drop a pin on the interactive maps to share your ideas, or tells us what needs to be addressed,
  • Come and chat to our team. For more details see below.

This stage of the engagement ran from Friday 14 April 2023 - Wednesday 31 May, 2023.

  • Survey

    The survey closed on Wednesday 31 May, 3023.

  • Ideas and Inspiration

    The 'vision' board closed on Wednesday 31 May, 3023.

    Click through to view people's ideas and photos 

  • Contribute to our interactive maps

    The map closed for comment on Wednesday 31 May, 2023.

    Visit the precinct maps to view where the community has told us the issues and opportunities lie along the Waterfront.

Come and talk with us

We know that people use the Waterfront in different ways. We have created workshops which will focus on the different user groups. Click the button below for the workshops which suits you best. Want to meet us onsite for a chat? Click on the Listening Post button to find a date that suits you. Don't hesitate to contact us if you are unsure so we can assist you.

  • Conversations with business have been completed

    Thank you to those who participated.

  • Community conversations have been completed

    Thank you to those who participated.


  • Listening Posts are complete

    Waterfront listening posts were held on:

    • Monday, 17 April
    • Friday, 28 April
    • Sunday 7 May


    Thanks to everyone who came and had a chat with us.