The community's feedback, ideas and aspirations about heritage in Greater Geelong are being reviewed and incorporated into the Geelong Heritage Strategy 2025-2035.
The engagement sought to recognise a broader range of heritage in our region, what heritage means to our community and how to protect and enhance it.
During August and September last year, we had 98 community members complete our online survey and 60 people attend our five 'Come Chat to Us' sessions. We received 197 aspirations for heritage in Greater Geelong.
Most survey respondents were residents and property owners, with one per cent of contributions coming from visitors.
Community members aged between 70-84 made up the majority of respondents at 27.37 per cent, followed by those aged 35-49 at 22.11 per cent of all responses.
Over 39 days, slightly more women took part in the survey at 51.55 per cent.
Council's Heritage, LGBTQIA+, Youth Council, Access & Inclusion and Women in Community Life advisory committees also gave feedback, while one-on-one consultations were held with stakeholders such as the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, heritage property developers and Cultura.
Respondents felt urban development pressures, balancing contemporary needs with preservation, funding and resources, and recognition and preservation of Wadawurrung cultural values were the top challenges facing heritage.
The top three priorities for change are:
- Acknowledging Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and First Nations heritage
- Identification and preservation of heritage sites
- Capturing stories about Geelong heritage places, people, and communities
Aspirations include:
- Better acknowledgement of the region's migrant, holiday, industrial and pastoral heritage
- Adding LGBTIQA+ stories to Johnstone Park and Old Geelong Courthouse (now Platform Arts)
- Interpretive signage at historical sites that cover both the Wadawurrung and colonial history
- Encouraging younger generations to become involved in heritage
Read the full engagement report.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Konelj OAM
Heritage connects us to our past and future.Our heritage is a part of who we are; it's what we inherit, appreciate today and think is important to protect and pass on to future generations.
A big thanks to the community for putting a spotlight on the diverse range of beloved, significant, hidden and unexpected local heritage in our region.
Councillor Rowan Story AM, RFD
Heritage spans buildings, experiences, events, traditions and beliefs.By identifying what is significant to our region and our diverse community, we can deliver a roadmap of medium-and long-term heritage priorities for Greater Geelong.
The City is reviewing every single submission as it drafts the Geelong Heritage Strategy for the next decade, and will make this document publicly available for consultation before Council adoption.
