WTF: Copping an eyeful, welcome to the weeds, and turn the lights on

A mother and son were waiting at a Little Malop St intersection when a digital billboard captured their attention – as it is designed to do. Find out more in this week’s WTF.

WTF: 31/10/24

They’re the little – and sometimes not so little – things that can really irk us. We’ve asked the people of Geelong to point out the problems that irritate and exasperate and have us all saying, woah, that’s frustrating!

POLE POSITION ON CENTRAL STRIP

A digital advertisement for After Dark Gentleman's Club in central Geelong. Picture: Supplied.

A Geelong mum faced some awkward questions from her 11-year-old son during a recent trip to the CBD.

Making their way to Westfield via Yarra St, the pair were waiting at the Little Malop St intersection when Gawk’s digital billboard captured their attention – as it is designed to do.

Rolling ads promoted Geelong United’s entry into the WNBL competition, a big four bank, the state government’s investment in renewable energy and, ahem, the city’s sole strip club.

A scantily clad woman gripping a dancing pole while flinging her head back is not something you usually see on a stroll through the centre of town, particularly at midday.

The mum told us that while she was far from a prude, the ad for After Dark Gentleman’s Club might be better displayed, dare we say it, after dark.

Wayne Carey attended the launch party of After Dark Gentleman's Club in April.

Gawk’s general manager Peter Upton said the company was a member of the Outdoor Media Association and complied with all relevant guidelines.

A spokeswoman for Ad Standards, which oversees complaints, said the industry’s code of ethics prohibits “the harmful use of sex, sexuality or nudity in advertising”.

The code also requires that such content be appropriate for the relevant audience.

“If anyone is concerned that the content of an ad is in breach of the rules, they should lodge a complaint via the Ad Standards website,” the spokeswoman said.

The mum did not lodge a complaint and there is no suggestion any breaches have occurred.

After Dark, located on Little Ryrie St, opened in April, replacing AC’s Striptease.

Front and centre at the launch party was Wayne Carey, whose image was used on material promoting the event.

“It’s come across my desk, it’s been renovated and the opening is this Saturday night and I’m going to have to go have a look,” he said at the time.

“Give a little bit back to the community. I’m going to poke my head in for about seven hours.”

WELCOME TO THE WEEDS

Weeds on the footpath on the Melbourne bound side of the Separation St Bridge on Melbourne Rd. Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong was proudly named a finalist in Keep Australia Beautiful’s 2022 Victorian tidy town contest.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

The north bound footpath on the Separation St bridge on Melbourne Rd in North Geelong caught the eye of one local resident, particularly what was between its cracks.

“The weeds, they’re everywhere,” Russell Clarke said.

Weeds on the footpath on the Melbourne bound side of the Separation St Bridge on Melbourne Rd. Picture: Alan Barber

“It’s a disgrace, no one’s done any work on it for ages.

“We’re supposed to be a tidy town.”

Mr Clarke said the bridge presented an unwanted first impression for visitors to Geelong.

“Welcome to the weeds,” he said.

Much like the concrete, we’re a bit in the weeds with this one.

According to council, the bridge is the responsibility of VicRoads, who have been contacted for clarification.

LET THERE BE LIGHTS

The new intersection of Baanip Blvd and Boundary Rd is still not open. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mount Duneed is a labyrinth.

Those living in the residential area adjacent to Baanip Bvd are geographically next door to Waurn Ponds, but due to a lack of exits, it can take a long time to physically get there.

That’s why a new intersection at the west end of Boundary Rd had residents ecstatic upon its announcement.

The problem? It was meant to be open more than a month ago.

Geelong council confirmed the likely time frame for the intersection had been pushed back to the first quarter of next year.

The new intersection of Baanip Blvd and Boundary Rd is still not open. Picture: Alison Wynd

But don’t shoot the messenger, council have held up their end of the bargain – the civil works are complete.

They just need the lights to be turned on.

Civil works are done, with the works just waiting for approval from a power authority.

Here’s to hoping it’s done before the premiership cup is lifted again in 2025.

Originally published as WTF: Copping an eyeful, welcome to the weeds, and turn the lights on