Bellarine Historical Society wins the Sir Rupert Hamer Records Management Award

Located at the Old Court House, in High Street, Drysdale, The Bellarine Historical Society has taken out the Sir Rupert Hamer Records Management Award for its work in digitising and indexing original school registers.

The win has been detailed by Margaret Linley in the Echo (Thursday May 27, 2010, p 7). The society was awarded the prize for the work they did in saving records from Marcus Hill Primary School in 1993. The records have now been digitised and indexed by the Public Records Office of Victoria.

More information about the Bellarine Historical Society is available by phoning (03) 5255 5233.

Clifton Springs Sulphur Spa Bathhouse

An article in the latest issue of the Bellarine Peninsula Independent by Kim Waters entitled: "Bathhouse push" (May 28, 2010 p. l) outlines residents' plans for a sulphur bathhouse to be built on the Clifton Springs foreshore.

The proposal is being put forward by the Save Our Spring Street Open Space (SOSOS) group which has the backing of more than 100 local Clifton Springs residents.

Read more at: Bathhouse push.

Annual Curves Food Drive starts tomorrow

Curves Bellarine, women's gym in Drysdale, is collecting non-perishable food stuffs for the Drysdale Family Support FoodBank Plus for the month of June.

Curves members who participate will receive a reusable Curves grocery freezer bag for free.

Non members who want to donate a bag of groceries, can join Curves for free between June 1 and 19, 2010 - a saving of $249 joining fee.

For more infromation contact Curves Bellarein on (03) 5253 3029 or email curves@mybellarine.com.au

More comment on: Pedestrian Crossing - High Street Bellarine Rail Trail

Following on from my blog post about the Bellarine Rail Trail crossing at High Street , Kim Waters from the Independent has published an article "Trail cross fears". In the article, Drysdale Leopold Pony Club officials have also voiced their concerns about the hazards of crossing High Street.

Read more at: "Trail cross fears".

CSIRO surveying home buyers on sea level rises

CSIRO is conducting a national online survey to determine would-be house-buyers’ attitudes to the effects rising sea levels could have on their investment decisions.

According to CSIRO researcher Dr Nick Abel, the survey will help local and state governments make policy decisions on future coastal property and infrastructure developments.
"We are asking people about what they think about purchasing properties in coastal areas," Dr Abel said.
"We are also interested in their perspectives on sea level rise and how this influences their choices in purchasing properties coastal areas.

The survey on Housing and Sea Level Rise should take you about 10-15 minutes to complete.

St James Church Car Boot Sale This Saturday

St James Anglican Church in Collins Street, Drysdale is having a car boot sale this Saturday (29 May) from 8am - 12 noon. Car booters $5, browsers free.

Come along and help raise money for the Church hall restoration.

70% of Curlews Parks Release One Land now sold

The Curlewis Parks estate at Jetty Road in Drysdale has sold 70% of its initial land release - the Ashworth Park Precinct.  Land is still available from $142,000 a block.

For more information email info@curlewisparks.com.au or phone 0425 869 940.

Bellarine Secondary College Ocean Grove Campus Open Night

The Bellarine Secondary College years 7 and 8 campus is  having an information night on Thursday 27 May from 6.30 - 8.30pm at the Ocean Grove campus - 70 Shell Road.

Parents and prospective Year 7 students are encouraged to attend.

On Friday 28 May, the Drysdale Campus will be open to new students and families with tours of the school running at 9.15am and 11.15am.

Bellarine Ferry Proposal Forum

Kurt Reiter has called a forum to discuss/debate the benefits and views on the Portarlington / Melbourne commuter ferry proposal.

The ferry forum will be held on Wednesday June 2 at 7pm and webcast at Kurt Reiter's website the following day.

More information is available from "Reiter calls ferry forum" by Alison Martin in the Bellarine Times, May 25, 2010 p.3.

Victorian Community History Awards 2010

The Victorian Government is calling for applications for the Victorian Community History Awards  2010.  A total prize pool of up to $40k is available in the following categories:

• best collaborative/community work
• best print/publication
• best audio-visual/multimedia
• best exhibit/display
• best walk/tour
• best community research, registers and records

If you have created a piece of community history in Victoria since January 2009, the Victorian Government would like to hear from you.

Entries close 5pm Wednesday, 30 June 2010.

Winners will be announced in Melbourne at an awards ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday 19 August 2010.

For further information  please phone Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 or visit the Community History Awards.

Equathon this Sunday - entries still open

The Bellarine Times (25 May 2010 issue, p.3) reports that entries for this Sunday's Equathon have been extended for local competitors.  If you want to compete in this event, please contact Beverley Darby as soon as possible.

The Equathon consists of 3 phases: swimming, show jumping and a cross country run.

If you want to register - please contact Beverley on 0410 547 391 after 7pm.

Need for Pedestrian Crossing - High Street Bellarine Rail Trail

I went for a bike ride on the weekend and had the misfortune to want to cross High Street in Drysdale at the Bellarine Rail Trail intersection.

Sunday morning - beautiful sunny day, not many people around - except those that were around, were driving their cars on High Street - so hard to get across the road!

Time for a pedestrian crossing here, before, a cyclist, horse and rider or pedestrian gets run over and killed.

Geelong Council has Potato Shed Masterplan on Agenda for Tuesday 25 May meeting

Below is an excerpt from the City of Great Geelong's Agenda for its meeting on May 25, 2010

POTATO SHED MASTERPLAN DETAILED BUSINESS CASE

Portfolio: Arts and Culture - Cr Abley

Education and Youth – Cr Farrell

Source: Community Services / Arts & Culture

General Manager: Irene McGinnigle

Index Reference: Subject: Bellarine Multi-Arts/Arts and Culture

Summary

This report provides an overview of the Business Case process for the Potato Shed Multi-Arts Centre and presents options for its development.

Further expansion of the Potato Shed facility was anticipated in the April 1998 Bellarine Peninsula Multi-Arts Facility Business Plan.

The Potato Shed was built as a joint venture by the City of Greater Geelong,

Bellarine Secondary College and the Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation (on behalf of the Catholic Regional College now St Ignatius College Geelong) with the State Government providing additional funding from the Community Support Fund. A Committee of Management under Section 86 of the Local Government Act oversees the venue.

A Demand Analysis and Business Plan process was undertaken in 2008 to determine current and future needs of the Potato Shed. The findings were that the facility is an exemplary model of partnership with over 90,000 visits per year. It is currently consistently operating close to capacity, 7 days a week, 14 hours a day and is not able to accommodate all bookings. With population on the Bellarine Peninsula expected to grow by another 55% in the coming 20 years, it will not be able to sustain its success without expansion.

Following the Demand Analysis, a two stage Masterplan was developed.

At the Council meeting of 28th October 2008, Council noted the Potato Shed Masterplan and endorsed the development of a Detailed Business Case for Stage One as proposed by the Masterplan.

The Detailed Business Case commenced in October 2009 with a Critical Review of the Demand Analysis and Masterplan. The Review substantiated the findings through rigorous testing and further highlighted the critical need for development of the facility.

Based on the Critical Review, Concept Plans have been revised. Two options have been developed:

• One – A ‘value managed’ option, developing the facility according to a reduced Concept Plan. Cost estimate $8M capital.
• Two – An architecturally ‘optimum’ design option, developing the facility according to a full Concept Plan. Cost estimate $10M capital.

In the unique spirit of collaboration that is a hallmark of the venue’s success, it is proposed that funding for the upgrade be sought in partnership with St Ignatius College and Bellarine Secondary College.

Recommendation

That Council:

1) Note the Potato Shed Masterplan Business Case;

2) Endorse Option 1 of the Masterplan Business Case as the preferred development option conditional on securing external funding.

The full agenda for the Geelong Council meeting on May 25, 2010 is available in pdf format. (This document requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Neighbourhood Watch meeting Today in Drysdale

The next meeting of the Drysdale Neighbourhood Watch is at the SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre is at 2pm today.

Meetings are held on the 4th Monday of every month.

The area coordinator is Angella Chisholm - Phone 0417 641 724

Drysdale Neighbourhood watch is located withing Region 2 Division 2 is made up of 3 local government areas, namely the Wyndham City Council, Greater Geelong City Council and Surf Coast Shire

Bellarine Community Choir in Drysdale May 26

The Bellarine Times (page 6, 18 May 2010 issue) article "A polished performance" reports that Faye Dumont is presenting a special one-day workshop with the Bellarine Community Choir in Drysdale on Wednesday May 26 before they perform at the Portarlington Celtic Festival on the long weekend in June.

"Choir spokesperson, Mani Collis, said Dumont's focus would be on 'polishing' the choir's repertoire for the celitic Festival at Portarlington next month".

More information about the choir is detailed in an article published by the Geelong Independent entitled: Peninsula choir in harmony with need to express musical yearnings, article by Jessica Benton, 15 October 2009.

Drysdale Harvest Basket - Potato Growing

As reported in the Bellarine Times (page 7, 18 May 2010 issue), on Saturday June 5 - the Drysdale Harvest Basket will have Vince Panetta as a guest speaker on the ins and outs of potato growing.

Vince will share his expertise on potato growing and how to use no-dig wooden garden boxes to create gardens.

The Drysdale Harvest Basket meets at the SpringDale Neighbourhood House from 9 - 11am on the first Saturday of the month.

Save Our Springs Street Open Space - SOSOS

A report in this weeks Bellarine Times entitled: "Community plan for open space" (page 7, 18 May 2010 issue) details the activities of a newly formed community group dedicated to having a say in the future use of the only undeveloped parcel of land in Springs Street, Clifton Springs.

The group is currently developing a community plan for the land which they will submit to the Geelong Council.

Residents who would like to have a say can email SOSOS at mcgnj@bigpond.com or write to the group via the Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association at PO Box 581 Drysdale 3222.

Free Weight Management Classes move to Tuesday

Curves in Drysdale is moving its FREE weight management classes to Tuesday nights starting 25 May.

The classes will run from 6 - 7pm at the Curves centre. The classes are open to both members and non-members. Bring a friend! Find out new ways to eat healthy and exercise.

For more information please contact Curves on (03) 5253 3029 or email: curves@mybellarine.com.au

Amendment C146 - Ada Street Drysdale Infill Development - Adopted

The City of Greater Geelong minutes from the meeting on 11 May 2010 have been published.

As previously outlined in Geelong Council to consider amendment, Amendment C146 was up for adoption - the minutes show:

AMENDMENT C146 - ADA STREET DRYSDALE INFILL DEVELOPMENT AREA: AMENDMENT ADOPTION

Cr Katos moved, Cr Macdonald seconded -
That Council
1) Adopt Amendment C146 as contained in Appendix 4-3 to this report;
2) Submit the adopted Amendment together with the prescribed information to
the Minister for Planning requesting approval;
3) Sign and seal the Section 173 Agreement accompanying the Amendment.
Carried.

The land affected by this amendment is bounded by Ada Street, Jetty Road, Thomas Street and Central Road as reflected in the map below:

More information is available from the Geelong Council meeting minutes of 11 May.

Lifeline $2 Pre-Loved Clothing Only Sale

From Monday 17 May til Friday 21 May, Lifeline at Village Walk in Drysdale is having a $2 per piece pre-loved clothing only sale.

All enquiries phone (03) 5223 3754.

Last Drysdale Market until Spring

The last Drysdale Community Market will be held this Sunday 16 May at the Drysdale Recreation Reserve from 9am - 1pm . The next market will be the third Sunday in October.

Clifton Springs Men's Shed profiled in the Echo

Margaret Linley has written a great piece about the Clifton Springs Men's shed called "Haven for blokes" in the Echo (page 7, May 13, 2010).

"Members have varied backgrounds - there's a company director, a school teacher, long-distance driver and a farmer... the group... has a strong community reference, with the men doing ad hoc jobs as the need arises. that included recently clearing out a widow's shed, bundling up a package of mementoes for her grandson, tidying up the yard and doing some heavy-duty gardening..."

The Clifton Springs men's shed started up at the end of 2008, has a membership of 30 at present and annual fees of only $10.

Anyone interested in finding out how to join can phone Doug Doble on 5253 2530 or Bill Williams on 5253 2721

Drysdale Tip fees go up 55%

The Drysdale tip will now charge you $32.50 a trailer load up from $21 - an increase of almost 55%.

Car boot load will increase by $3  and now cost $12.50

The City of Greater Geelong say this is because of the Victorian' Government's Environment Protection Authority landfill levy which has increased by $21 per tonne.

Read more in COUNCIL BUDGET: Rubbish charges set to sting in today's Geelong Advertiser.

Bone Density Testing coming to Drysdale

Is osteoporosis a concern for you? Find out how weak or strong your bones are before they break by making an appointment for bone density testing.

On Thursday 20 May bone density testing will be available at Chris Walsh's Pharmacy in Drysdale. The tests are carried out by the Australian Bone Density Testing Centre's bone health educator.

Each person who has a test receives a written result and information booklet on bone health topics and related issues including body mass index. The cost is $25 and bookings are essential.

Phone The Drysdale Pharmacy on (03) 5251 3298 to make your booking.

More information on bone density testing is available.

More information on the Drainage issue contained within the C146 Amendment before Council tomorrow night

On reading the background information to Geelong Council to consider Amendment C146 - Ada St, Drysdale rezoning to Residential 1 - at Tuesday night's meeting - more information is provided about the drainage scheme affecting residents in Central Road.

With regard to contributions to drainage infrastructure, the section 173 agreement also requires that, subject to the land being rezoned to Residential 1, the landowner shall pay to Council the required drainage works contribution. In simple terms the situation is as follows:

• Under the section 173 Agreement for the Retirement Village located to the east of the subject land, the Retirement Village owner (developer) is to prepare detailed plans, seek Council approval of the plans and construct at its own cost drainage works for the sub-catchment area.
• The Retirement Village Section 173 agreement estimates the Drainage Works costs at $1.5 Million.
• No later than 5 years after the works have been completed Council is required to recover financial contributions from the “benefiting landowners” of the drainage works and pay the sums recovered to the retirement village Owner.
• On 23 February 2010 Council resolved to declare a special charge scheme in order to recover the cost of the main drainage infrastructure. The scheme applies to all benefiting properties in the catchment. The proposed scheme has recently been advertised and is in the submission phase.
• The special charge scheme does not specify details regarding payment other than the normal payment by instalments arrangement over a period of up to 5 years. Property owners within the C146 area have generally agreed to sign a Section 173 agreement as part of the rezoning process, which requires payment for the main drainage infrastructure only when a statement of compliance is issued for subdivision of their land. In considering the possible declaration of the special charge, Council will need to make recognition of these prior agreements.
• Dalton Consulting Engineers (DCE) as consultants for the Retirement Village (known as Pinnacle Living) have prepared an Outfall Drainage Strategy August 2008 and submitted detailed engineering drawings (as circulated to Panel and other parties).
• Council engineers have approved the drawings by letter of 17 September 2009.

The full agenda for Tuesday 11 May 2010 is available in pdf format on the Councils website.

Geelong Council to consider Amendment C146 - Ada St, Drysdale rezoning to Residential 1 - at Tuesday night's meeting

The City of Greater Geelong has on its agenda item 4 Amendment C146 - the summary of the amendment is reproduced below:

AMENDMENT C146 - ADA STREET DRYSDALE INFILL DEVELOPMENT AREA: AMENDMENT ADOPTION

Portfolio: Planning - Cr Katos

Source: Economic Development, Planning & Tourism - Strategic Implementation

General Manager: Peter Bettess

Index Reference: Sbj: Council Reports 2010

Project: C146 - Reports Council & Other

Summary

• This report is to consider the Panel Report for Amendment C146 and recommend Council adoption of the amendment.
• The applicant for this amendment is Fadgyas Planning Associates, acting on behalf of DP & JL Dunoon.
• Amendment C146 seeks to rezone land bounded by Jetty Road, Ada Street, Thomas Street and Central Road, Clifton Springs from Rural Living zone to Residential 1 zone and apply Development Plan Overlay Schedule 21 (DPO21) to the land. A map showing the location of the subject site and the existing zones is included in Appendix 4-1. Maps of the proposed zone and overlay are included in Appendix 4-2.
• The Amendment proposes to rezone the subject land to facilitate development at conventional residential densities. The DPO will ensure that new residential development is planned and developed in a fully integrated and comprehensive manner.
• The Amendment is consistent with the Drysdale/Clifton Springs Structure Plan adopted April 2009.
• The Amendment is accompanied by a Section 173 Agreement which requires financial contributions to community and drainage infrastructure.
• The Amendment was exhibited between 5 March and 6 April 2009. Nine submissions were received, of which three objected to the amendment.
• On 12 August 2008 Council resolved to request the Minister for Planning appoint an independent Panel to hear the submissions to the amendment. The Panel was convened on 1 October 2009.
• The Panel recommended that Council adopt the amendment, with some minor changes. All recommended changes are ‘favourable’ to Council. The Panel’s recommendations are therefore generally supported. They are discussed in greater detail in the body of this report.
• It is recommended Council adopt the amendment and resolve to sign and seal the Section 173 Agreement generally in accordance with the recommendations of Panel.

Recommendation

That Council:

1. Adopt Amendment C146 as contained in Appendix 4-3 to this report;
2. Submit the adopted Amendment together with the prescribed information to the Minister for Planning requesting approval;
3. Sign and seal the Section 173 Agreement accompanying the Amendment.

The full agenda for Tuesday 11 May 2010 is available in pdf format on the Councils website.

Curlewis Parks Land selling quickly

A report in the Bellarine Times article this week (4 May 2010) "Time to buy" says that blocks in the new Curlewis Parks development are selling quickly.

"Sales manager for Curlewis Park residential estate on Jetty Road, Rod Anderson, said land buyers had also shown strong interest in the new Clifton Springs sub-division. "We released the first stage of Curlewis Park on April 17 and within two weeks had 31 contracts signed; with about 50 people walking through the sales office door a day," he said.

Anderson explained that most contracts had been signed by local buyers who had been waiting for the land to be released and the website was still to be developed; so huge interest was expected once the marketing programme expanded to include buyers outside the region.

"Curlewis Park is very affordable compared to the rest of Victoria and it adds a lot of extra infrastructure for the local community," Anderson said.

"Parcels of land range from $135,000 to $166,000 and good design principals are an important feature. There can only be one house per lot, front gardens are being encouraged and housing will be modern-contemporary in keeping with the bayside environment."..."

More information is available from the Bellarine Times.