The Victorian Government has snatched control of an award-winning road project in the centre of Geelong, to prevent the "reckless" local council spending $2 million to rip parts of it up.

Key points: Stage one of Geelong's green spine was completed in 2018 at a cost of $8 million

Stage one of Geelong's green spine was completed in 2018 at a cost of $8 million Last month Geelong council voted to spend $2 million to rip up a bike lane and reinstate turning lanes and parking spaces for cars

Last month Geelong council voted to spend $2 million to rip up a bike lane and reinstate turning lanes and parking spaces for cars Today the State Government followed through on its threat to seize control of the road, ensuring the green spine project would remain untouched

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville said the State Government's decision to declare Malop Street a Designated Road Project under Victoria's Road Management Act would allow Geelong's green spine project to remain untouched.

"I won't stand by and watch a reckless council take a wrecking ball to our beautiful green spine," she said.

"Spending $2 million ripping up work already done in Malop Street is a backwards step and waste of money."

Ms Neville said the green spine was an important part of the Revitalising Central Geelong Action Plan and "fundamental" to securing the economic success of the city.

Stage one of the green spine was completed in 2018.

It cost $8 million and transformed a 200m stretch of road, which runs between Geelong's two main shopping precincts, into a pedestrian and bike-friendly street lined with gardens, alfresco areas and trees.

It reduced space for motorists in order to build separated bike lanes on each side of the street.

Although it is only stage one, the plan is to have it join up with future stages to create a green spine running through the city.

But last month Geelong council voted to spend $2 million of ratepayers' money to remove one bike lane so they could reintroduce turning lanes and parking spaces.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher voted to rip up the bike lane, which narrowly passed 6 votes to 5. ( ABC News: Nicole Mills )

At the time, Mayor Stephanie Asher, who voted in favour of the changes, said the separate bike lanes were causing too much traffic congestion.

Today, Cr Asher said the State Government's decision to seize control of the project was "very disappointing, but not unexpected".

"Minister Neville had flagged as much to me when we spoke," Cr Asher said.

"With responsibility for this street now resting entirely with the State Government for the duration of the project, we look forward to seeing them move quickly with the next stage, which is awaiting the release of funding," she said.

Cr Asher said one of the biggest causes of congestion was the city's bus network and the location of the much-maligned bus interchange - which has been a hot spot for anti-social behaviour.

"Critical to the continued development of the green spine, and the CBD as a whole, is a decision from the State Government on bus routes," Cr Asher said.

"Council has been asking the State Government for decisions around location of the bus interchange for as long as I can remember.

"I am more than happy to back the State's preference, but the indecision is crippling Geelong."

She said conversations with retailers and public transport users groups about revitalising central Geelong always came back to the location of the bus interchange.

"Most want it moved," she said.