For more than 30 years, they have stood as the silent sentinels of our shores. From the Koori family at Eastern Beach to the iconic nun at Rippleside and the surf lifesavers along our beaches, Jan Mitchell’s bollards are more than just timber — they are the soul of Geelong and the Bellarine.

But by January 31, 2026, the chainsaws are coming.

The City of Greater Geelong has announced the permanent removal of six iconic bollards, claiming they have reached the “end of their material life.” Worse still, the Council has confirmed there are no immediate plans to replace them. With 146 of our 156 bollards facing a similar fate over the next five years, our waterfront is at risk of becoming a ghost of its former self.

We, the residents of Geelong and supporters of our city’s heritage, demand better. We are calling on the City of Greater Geelong to:

• Halt the January 31 removals until a guaranteed, funded plan for immediate "like-for-like" replacement is made public.
• Commit to the legacy: Ensure that any replacement bollards honour Jan Mitchell’s original vision, maintaining the historical and cultural character that makes Geelong world-famous. 

Why this matters:
As historian Colin Mockett says: "If you google Geelong, you get bollards." They are our identity, our tourism drawcard, and our history. We cannot allow our icons to be removed under the guise of safety without a plan to bring them back.
Whether we update their imagery to reflect Geelong today or keep their historical designs, we must not let these icons disappear completely. 
Don’t let the Council erase our history. Sign the petition to Save Our Bollards.