Curlewis residents angry at community health hub delay

Frustrated Curlewis residents say a proposal to delay the development of a community health hub has left them without promised facilities.

Chris Conner, son Liam and Sarah Ludvig at the site where the Curlewis Community Health hub was supposed to be completed by 2023. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Curlewis community child and health hub, expected to be delivered this year, is now not likely to be built until 2031 after council found promised services were not yet needed.

The move, by the City of Greater Geelong, has angered local residents who say the amenities they were promised have not been delivered.

Sarah Ludvig, who lives in the Jetty Rd growth area with partner Chris Conner and his 10-year-old son Liam, sold land in the area when the estate was being developed.

Once complete the hub is expected to include a kindergarten, childcare, playgroup, maternal health services and a multipurpose community space.

“I was selling the dream of Curlewis to people, telling people all the things that were going to put into Curlewis,” she said.

“The information that I was providing to clients that this was going to be completed (by now), but this has now been delayed another 7-8 years.”

Ms Ludvig said there was a “big need” for funding of health and childcare services in Curlewis.

Chris Conner, son Liam and Sarah Ludvig at the site where the Curlewis Community Health hub was supposed to be completed by 2023. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I have no doubt (the project) will extend past 2031 and it won’t be a priority,” she said.

“It’s still not a priority, I sold land to people with families that were wanting these facilities for their children.

“They will be grown up and moved out of home before they are available.”

Residents said they were told the hub, along Oceania Drive, was expected to be completed by council when 1800 homes were delivered within stage one of the Jetty Rd growth area, or by 2022-23.

Amendments to the plans are currently on public exhibition with a revised delivery date of 2031.

The City of Greater Geelong’s acting executive director of planning and design, Joanne Van Slageren, said the hub had been deferred after demand analysis found new kindergarten and childcare services would not be needed in the area until 2031.

“Analysis also found that existing community facilities have capacity to meet needs until this time, including the recently completed Boronggook Drysdale Library and Drysdale Community Hub,” said.

“DCP contributions from Jetty Rd Stages 1 and 2 won’t cover the full cost of the new hub, so a significant council contribution will be required.”

Ms Ludvig said she and other residents wanted council to urgently reconsider the proposal.

“I believe if council came out and had a look at Curlewis and saw the population growth … they would see there is a big need for funds to be diverted into this area,” she said.

The amendment is open for public comment until December 18.

Originally published as Curlewis residents angry at community health hub delay