Highton Village redevelopment
Mr CHEESEMAN (South Barwon) (09:56): Over the last few months the Highton community has been strongly campaigning to save their beloved Highton Village from the Geelong council’s planned redevelopment. Some of the council’s plans include putting a four-storey multi-use building and parking garage on top of existing car parking spaces, ripping up the existing Highton Library and removing the iconic clock tower, among other radical changes. These alterations will result in Highton Village’s small-town character very much changing. Residents only want small-scale repairs and upgrades undertaken to improve the village, such as fixing the footpaths and uneven pavers. Highton locals want the distinctive character of the village, which is at the heart of the Highton community, preserved for many years to come. I am proud to be a part of this campaign opposing the Geelong council’s plans. I have held numerous street stalls to discuss these issues with residents, who overwhelmingly love the Highton Village as it is. I have assisted the community, and particularly community activists such as Graham Hobbs, in collecting thousands of signatures against this proposed redevelopment. I call on the Liberal-dominated Geelong council to cease and desist with their plans to redevelop this village.