Eastern Beach, Victoria

:" Eastern Beach is a specific beach in Geelong, not to be confused with Waterfront Geelong."

Eastern Beach is a popular swimming and recreation area in Geelong, Victoria on the shores of Corio Bay. Built during the 1930s in the Art Deco style, a shark proof swimming enclosure is provided, as well as a children's swimming pool, kiosk, dressing room pavilion. A number of Art Deco buildings in the area are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Beginnings

Eastern Beach was not always the beach it is today. In the early years of Geelong the area was considered an eyesore, with steep cliffs running from the northern town boundary to the shores of Corio Bay.

Redevelopment plans were first proposed in 1914 by the City of Geelong. Work was to include a one mile (1.6 kilometre) long sea wall from Yarra Street to Limeburners Point, land reclamation, and flattening of the cliffs along the beach. Further plans were drawn up for a chalet at the beach, which later appeared in the form of the kiosk building.

Work begun in September 1927 when contracts were let for construction of the concrete stairway, terraces and dressing sheds. J.C. Taylor and Sons were the successful contractor. This stage of the works was opened on December 20, 1929 by then mayor Cr Sol Jacobs.

The shark proof swimming enclosure and children's pool were opened by Mayor of Geelong Cr Sol Jacobs on March 28, 1939. The enclosure covered 8.5 acres (3.5 hectares) and could accommodate 10,000 bathers. The Eastern Beach precinct development cost 40,000 pounds ($80,000) at the time of construction, but was seen by the council of the time as being an investment in the city.

A tramway extension opened in October 1940 to Bellarine Street to cater to beach goers. The line was lifted in 1956 along with the rest of Geelong's tramways.

Later Years

Eastern Beach begun a slow decline from the 1960s. Increased motor car ownership allowed Geelong residents easier access to ocean beaches, and the popularity of Eastern Beach declined. Later decades of neglect saw the area fall into disrepair.

This decline was arrested in 1993, when the City of Greater Geelong announced plans for the restoration of the area. Partial funding of the works came from public 'purchasing' a plank in the swimming enclosure boardwalk. The enclosure was rebuilt, and the swimming pool, kiosk, and change rooms refurbished. The Beach House restaurant was also opened on the upper level of the kiosk building.

The late 1990s saw the original diving tower reinstated at the ocean end of the swimming enclosure after an absence of many years. However, the rebuilt structure was altered from the original design, omitting access to the topmost level due to injury concerns.

The Eastern Beach redevelopment was the first stage of the Waterfront Geelong developments that have continued along the shore of Corio Bay.

Eastern Beach hosts many festivals and concerts year round and also hosts the annual Geelong Carols by the Bay concert hosted by Denis Walter.

References

*Peter Begg (1990). "Geelong - The First 150 Years". Globe Press. ISBN0-9592863-5-7