Real Estate Developers and Residents Agree: Foreshore Development is Great for Geraldton
Announcement posted by Geraldton Heights Estate 20 Nov 2013
4Land Property Group reveals how Foreshore development benefits Geraldton.
Geraldton, WA, November 20, 2013 - Since 2004, the development and redevelopment of the Foreshore has been a priority in Geraldton. The Foreshore connects Champion Bay with the Geraldton CBD and has received funds from the WA and Australian Governments.
The Council of Geraldton-Greenough has made Foreshore development a priority with the goal of achieving some lofty goals. The Council believes that a strong Foreshore can create a stronger CBD and wants to better utilise the coast and the Foreshore infrastructure to create more engagement with local citizens. The Council also wants to streamline the decision-making process for Foreshore development.
A survey done 4 years ago by the Council showed that over 70% of citizens are in favour of the development as long as it enhances their lifestyle as opposed to over-commercialising the Foreshore. The survey also showed that Geraldton residents like to visit the Foreshore on a regular basis, as 78% said they had visited within 30 days of being surveyed and over 50% said they had been there within the previous 7 days; 40% of those said they got there on foot or by bicycle.
Over 70% wouldn't mind seeing another café or two, more than half wanted better facilities for families and for children, while 90% wanted any development to refrain from blocking the views of the ocean. Most residents said “yes” to more public squares, more shelter, more public toilets, more shade, more barbeques, a pontoon, a fishing jetty and more parking spaces.
Generally, the main takeaway from the survey is that the people of Geraldton value the Foreshore. They want to see it grow to accommodate population growth, property investment and increased tourism but they don't want to see it over-commercialised.
Geraldton has been working under two projections for population growth: the conservative one for Geraldton and the much more aggressive projection for the Mid West region. Geraldton is projected to have a population of between 46,000 and 58,200 by 2026, according to the WA Department of Planning. On the other hand, the Mid West region is projected to grow from a current 55,000 to approximately 80,000 by 2021.
The Mid West region is transitioning from an agricultural region to one that has mining, science and the Oakajee Deepwater Port and Rail infrastructure, which is expected to produce 2,000 jobs in the construction industry alone. By 2033, the consensus is that the Mid West will double in population.
Madeleine McErlain, Marketing Manager for Geraldton Heights Estates, believes in Geraldton and thinks the aggressive predictions are closer to what will happen than the conservative ones.
According to Ms McErlain, “The conservative prediction was based on past statistics and doesn't take into account the opportunities that are presenting themselves in Geraldton and the Mid West region. We have already had a mining boom, a slight trough and a lot of projects are planned for the area. Not only will the construction industry thrive due to the Oakajee Project, but there will have to be more construction workers to help build infrastructure for the influx of new residents.”
Ms McErlain continued, “This represents a wonderful opportunity for Geraldton as the hub of the Mid West and a vibrant Foreshore is a big part of our hub status.”
Ms McErlain concluded, “What's good for the Foreshore is great for Geraldton.”
4Land Property Group offers real estate and house and land packages in their Geraldton Heights community. For more information, please call (08) 9301 4445 or visit their website: http://www.geraldtonheights.com.au/.
The Council of Geraldton-Greenough has made Foreshore development a priority with the goal of achieving some lofty goals. The Council believes that a strong Foreshore can create a stronger CBD and wants to better utilise the coast and the Foreshore infrastructure to create more engagement with local citizens. The Council also wants to streamline the decision-making process for Foreshore development.
A survey done 4 years ago by the Council showed that over 70% of citizens are in favour of the development as long as it enhances their lifestyle as opposed to over-commercialising the Foreshore. The survey also showed that Geraldton residents like to visit the Foreshore on a regular basis, as 78% said they had visited within 30 days of being surveyed and over 50% said they had been there within the previous 7 days; 40% of those said they got there on foot or by bicycle.
Over 70% wouldn't mind seeing another café or two, more than half wanted better facilities for families and for children, while 90% wanted any development to refrain from blocking the views of the ocean. Most residents said “yes” to more public squares, more shelter, more public toilets, more shade, more barbeques, a pontoon, a fishing jetty and more parking spaces.
Generally, the main takeaway from the survey is that the people of Geraldton value the Foreshore. They want to see it grow to accommodate population growth, property investment and increased tourism but they don't want to see it over-commercialised.
Geraldton has been working under two projections for population growth: the conservative one for Geraldton and the much more aggressive projection for the Mid West region. Geraldton is projected to have a population of between 46,000 and 58,200 by 2026, according to the WA Department of Planning. On the other hand, the Mid West region is projected to grow from a current 55,000 to approximately 80,000 by 2021.
The Mid West region is transitioning from an agricultural region to one that has mining, science and the Oakajee Deepwater Port and Rail infrastructure, which is expected to produce 2,000 jobs in the construction industry alone. By 2033, the consensus is that the Mid West will double in population.
Madeleine McErlain, Marketing Manager for Geraldton Heights Estates, believes in Geraldton and thinks the aggressive predictions are closer to what will happen than the conservative ones.
According to Ms McErlain, “The conservative prediction was based on past statistics and doesn't take into account the opportunities that are presenting themselves in Geraldton and the Mid West region. We have already had a mining boom, a slight trough and a lot of projects are planned for the area. Not only will the construction industry thrive due to the Oakajee Project, but there will have to be more construction workers to help build infrastructure for the influx of new residents.”
Ms McErlain continued, “This represents a wonderful opportunity for Geraldton as the hub of the Mid West and a vibrant Foreshore is a big part of our hub status.”
Ms McErlain concluded, “What's good for the Foreshore is great for Geraldton.”
4Land Property Group offers real estate and house and land packages in their Geraldton Heights community. For more information, please call (08) 9301 4445 or visit their website: http://www.geraldtonheights.com.au/.