If anyone was in doubt as to where Googong was, there is no excuse now.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Googonians are a proud lot and now they are announcing their presence to the world, with a new nearly seven-metre-tall sculpture unveiled at the township's new main entry.
Googong project director Malcolm Leslie said the new sculpture, officially revealed on Wednesday, was the gateway to what would be Googong's main retail and community centre.
Due to open in 2024, Googong Central Town Centre will be similar in size to the Manuka shopping precinct and include two major retail supermarkets, as well as cafes, bars, restaurants, small businesses and specialty retail shops.
![The new sign at the entrance to Googong. Picture: Supplied The new sign at the entrance to Googong. Picture: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/32suSVsqH3pdw6NJyh92X9D/2176273d-1443-4140-890d-69bed98f0e46.jpg/r0_639_3992_2990_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
There are also plans to open a library, fire station, community centre, aged-care facility, and a kindergarten to Year 12 public school in Googong Central.
Mr Leslie said there were 5000 people living in Googong, with the population expected to grow to 18,000 over the next 15 years.
The sculpture features large arches that are a nod to the Molonglo Range and "the microscopic patination of the threatened Golden Sun Moth wings", all reinforcing a sense of place.
![The sign is close to seven metres tall at its highest point. Picture: Supplied The sign is close to seven metres tall at its highest point. Picture: Supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/32suSVsqH3pdw6NJyh92X9D/6372130f-2924-4629-ba53-39fb82ad61d6.PNG/r8_0_1201_669_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"Googong is its own township, it has its own sense of identity and the Googonians who live there are very proud of it," Mr Leslie said.
He was also pleased the township was becoming more accessible.
"Big news for us is the recent road upgrades. Old Cooma Road was duplicated and opened a few weeks ago. And Ellerton Drive Extension is due to open next week. So major, major regional road upgrades that are going to provide really good access to and from Googong," he said.