Geelong trade down by 50 per cent due to Malop St closure

A Geelong business owner says his trade has dropped by 50 per cent due to the Green Spine construction project, which has closed a Malop St block until the end of the year. HAVE YOUR SAY.

Malop St will be closed until the end of the year due to construction of the Green Spine project. Picture: David Smith

A Geelong business owner says his trade has dropped by half due to a major construction project that will see a busy CBD road closed until early next year.

Chung Vinh Phat Asian Groceries owner Andrew Le said said sales at his Malop St shop had “dropped majorly” since construction for the Green Spine project started last month.

He said he

“It’s decreased by 50 per cent,” Mr Le said.

“I thought it wasn’t going to affect us as much but it’s really impacting the shop.”

Construction work recently started on the south side of Malop St, between Yarra and Bellarine streets.

Once complete, central Geelong will be transformed into a linear park connecting Johnstone Park and Eastern Park.

Geelong residents have blasted the project, with one labelling it “an absolute waste” of money.

Andrew Le says business at his Asian grocery store is down by 50 per cent. Picture: David Smith

Mr Le said there was constant, loud construction noises all day.

“You can’t hear anything,” he said.

Mr Le’s store relocated from Moorabool St to Malop St just three weeks before the construction began.

He said he had not been able to put his A-frame sign out the front of his store, as the construction has crept onto the footpath, and had to wheel his bins over the other side of the road for collection.

The construction also caused a stir with Geelong Advertiser readers.

“The entire Green Spine is not only a blight on our city’s thoroughfare but a major cost of finances that could’ve been directed to more useful outcomes. The only result of this infrastructure will more traffic delays and motorists frustration,” one commented.

“What a complete waste of money and time,” another said.

A third reader commented: “The poor shop owners are going to suffer let alone the public that want to shop in those shops that are barricaded off. Use some common sense.”

Third stage concept images for the Green Spine project on Malop St between Yarra and Bellarine streets. Picture: Revitalising Central Geelong

The block’s westbound car and bike lanes are closed and are not expected to reopen until December.

Construction on the north side is “subject to future funding and approvals”, according to Revitalising Central Geelong, a state government website.

There are several stages to the project which has been divided up into six blocks.

The north side of the first stage between Gheringhap and Moorabool streets has been completed, however the completion of the south side is subject to future funding.

The second stage between Moorabool and Yarra streets has also been completed.

The project is jointly funded by federal, state and local governments and is part of the $500m Geelong City Deal.

The City of Greater Geelong’s acting chief executive Kaarina Phyland said: “Making Central Geelong a more appealing place to spend time through increased greenery and improved

pedestrian and bike access will have the long-term benefit of attracting more people to live in and visit the area.”

A Victorian government spokesman said: “The Green Spine construction schedule has been developed to support local businesses to remain open while the works now underway between Yarra and Bellarine streets are completed.”

Originally published as Geelong trade down by 50 per cent due to Malop St closure