Calls grow for government to acquire Market Square but local MP Richard Marles says it’s a matter for City Hall

Momentum for government action continues to build after Market Square’s owners snubbed City Hall recently, but Deputy Prime Minister and local MP Richard Marles is staying quiet.

Powerful Geelong business profiles are calling on the local, state and federal governments to pursue compulsory acquisition of Market Square, but Deputy Prime Minister is refusing to weigh in.

Key Geelong leaders have joined the fight to take back Market Square, as support for compulsory acquisition of the battling Singaporean-owned shopping mall grows.

But Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has refused to weigh in on the saga, saying it is a matter for Geelong council.

Momentum for government action continues to build after Market Square’s owners, Davinski Nominees, snubbed Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan and chief executive Ali Wastie during their recent trip to Singapore.

The Committee for Geelong, backed by its member groups, has since met state and federal government representatives regarding possibilities for the site.

Chief executive Michael Johnston said the Committee had participated in Geelong council’s masterplan process for the area, in which it proposed to maximise public open space.

“This is a bold and visionary concept that would create a ‘green heart’ for our city,” he said.

Mr Johnston said this solution would require all three levels of government being involved.

“Getting the vision right is critical,” he said.

“How this can be achieved then flows from that.”

Mr Marles, whose Corio electorate takes in Geelong’s CBD, said he was aware of the proposal but would say whether he supported compulsory acquisition of the site.

“Ultimately that is a Committee cause,” he said

“I am aware of this proposal, but something of that kind is really a matter for the City of Greater Geelong.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles said the future of Market square was ultimately a Geelong council matter. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman.

Gareth Kent, managing director of property consultancy firm Preston Rowe Paterson Geelong, described Davinski’s Singapore no-show as “disrespectful”.

He said there was growing support in the business community for government action.

“It’s time to stop negotiating,” he said.

“As a community, we’ve done far more than we should’ve.

“We can say ‘here’s the acquisition, it’s happened, now see you later’.”

“It needs to happen yesterday.”

Gareth Kent from Preston Rowe Paterson Geelong. Picture: Peter Ristevski.

Mr Kent said the private sector was doing all it could to make central Geelong an appealing space for businesses and the community.

“It (the CBD) is 7.2ha and all that effort goes to nothing if it (Market Square) is left as it is,” he said.

Mr Kent said he and many other business figures were urging all levels of government to compulsorily acquire the site.

He said his recommendations – put to council via the Committee for Geelong – were to create a public-park and underground parking at the site.

“We need a Fed Square equivalent, a connection between the new convention centre and the hospitality sectors of Geelong,” he said.

Mr Kent said he imagined “Geelong’s version of Central Park” with lights in trees, a bustling hospitality scene, benches, cultural events and buskers.

Mr Kent said he estimated the project would cost at least $100m to compensate Davinski Nominees and up to $200m for development.

“It’s not going to be a small ontake but we’re asking for a pittance compared to what’s spent on other construction in Melbourne,” he said.

“It would be a legacy project that would completely change the way the Geelong CBD feels.”

Mr Kent has launched an online petition that seeks support from the community.

It has so far received 160 signatures.

Originally published as Calls grow for government to acquire Market Square but local MP Richard Marles says it’s a matter for City Hall