Kardinia Park northern plaza to become gathering area once redevelopment is complete

As the state government provides an update on the GMHBA Stadium redevelopment, the name of the new northern entry point can be revealed. HAVE YOUR SAY.

Artist impression of the new northern entry point to Kardinia Park.

The name of the new northern entry point to Kardinia Park has been revealed, with stadium management saying the decision was ultimately an easy one.

Djilang Plaza is an area that will face Moorabool St outside the Polly Farmer gate and become a gathering area for fans arriving from the CBD and South Geelong station.

The naming of the area comes as the state government confirmed the $142m GMHBA Stadium redevelopment would be completed in time for the Cats’ round one Saturday night clash against St Kilda on March 16.

Meaning “tongue of land”, Djilang is the traditional Wadawurrung name for Geelong and represents the unique way Geelong and the Bellarine sits on the edge of Corio and Port Phillip bays.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust (KPST) boss Gerard Griffin said the plaza would recognise the history of the region’s First Nations people in an area they have been connected to for thousands of years.

“It’s basically an old corner of the block of land that was pretty tired, dark and dingy, that’s going to become something really lovely,” he said.

“We’re really thrilled we’re calling it Djilang Plaza – it’s amazing the number of sports precincts around Australia that were First Nations meeting places, so we’re acknowledging the place that all of this sits on.

“It just works beautifully.”

The naming process involved consultation with key stakeholders, including the Wadawurrung traditional owners, before being approved by the KPST board.

The KPST manages the stadium on behalf of the state government, which has entirely funded the redevelopment that, in addition to the new plaza, includes a new two-tier northern stand capable of holding 14,000 people, a sports museum, indoor cricket hub, and function rooms.

Technology upgrades will also see improved mobile and wi-fi coverage on site.

Once complete, the stadium’s capacity will be 40,000.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive Gerard Griffin. Photo: Alison Wynd.

The redevelopment provides KPST with the ability to bid for a range of bigger events, such as concerts and international sporting events.

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said Djilang Plaza was a fitting way to recognise the Wadawurrung people.

“The redevelopment of Kardinia Park will transform Australia’s premier regional venue into an even greater place for sport and major events, it’s so exciting we can honour the entire community through the project,” he said.

Geelong MP Chris Couzens said the word Djilang represented thousands of years of history and would now become synonymous with Kardinia Park for generations to come.

The redevelopment was significantly delayed after defects were identified in 1200 tonnes of steel that was imported from Qatar.

Originally published as Kardinia Park northern plaza to become gathering area once redevelopment is complete