Richard Marles coming to Drysdale tomorrow - Why?

Our esteemed federal member of Parliament is visiting Drysdale tomorrow.  The Hon Richard Marles MP, Federal member for Corio, will be at the Drysdale Shopping Centre at 16 Wyndham Street from 10.30am - 12.30pm Saturday 16 June 2012.

He would like to hear from us about any federal issues that are concerning us.

He wants to know all about it.

Why now? I can't remember if he has actually done this before, certainly not in this parliamentary term.

Geelong Council consulting on sealing Newcombe Street Drysdale

The City of Greater Geelong has received enquiries about sealing the road in Newcombe Street, Drysdale, between Princess Street and The Glen. The consultation will run from 7 June 2012 to 7 July 2012

"The construction of a sealed road provides an opportunity to review and address many issues residents have with current condition and operation of the street.

For new sealed road construction, it is Council policy to fund the works via a special charge scheme whereby property owners meet the cost of the construction work.

Future maintenance costs are provided by municipal rates revenue and not individual streets or property owners.

Having received advice that there is general support from property owners for the construction and sealing of Newcombe Street, from Princess Street to The Glen, the City has decided to engage with all property owners in Newcombe Street regarding street construction.

The survey has been broken into two independent sections as part of this consultation: Newcombe St - Princess St to The Glen Newcombe St - The Glen to Road End..."

More information is available from the Geelong Council. This is an opportunity for you to have your say.

Drysdale's Mary Hannah is going to the Olympics again

The Geelong Advertiser reports today "Hanna makes fourth Olympics" - an article by Ryan Reynolds.

Geelong's newest Olympian knows she will have her work cut out when she arrives in London.

Drysdale's Mary Hanna was yesterday named in the Australian dressage team, becoming the region's sixth confirmed Olympian...

For Hanna, London will be her fourth Olympics after qualifying for Atlanta (1994), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004). She did not compete at Beijing in 2008...

Read more at: "Hanna makes fourth Olympics"

Drysdale Urban Design Framework - find out more

Geelong Council is running the Drysdale Urban Design Framework community information sessions.
This consultation is running from 4 June 2012 to 29 June 2012.

'The City of Greater Geelong has prepared a draft Urban Design Framework (UDF) for the Drysdale Town Centre and is seeking community input into the draft.
The population of Drysdale-Clifton Springs is expected to significantly increase in the coming decades therefore it is important to look at how the centre can be developed and shaped into the future to ensure the town centre remains the focal point for shopping and community activities.
The UDF explores the potential growth of the centre, built form, pedestrian linkages, streetscapes, car parking and traffic matters.
Two informal community information sessions will be held for those wishing to get an overview of the plan and meet with Council officers.."

The sessions are being held at:
Drysdale Senior Citizens Club
2-8 Wyndham Street
Drysdale

Monday 18 June 2012
4.30-6.30pm

and

Saturday 23 June 2012
10am – 12pm

Background Documents are available:

• UDF Final Draft Part 1 (PDF - 6.9 MB)
• UDF Final Draft Part 2 (PDF - 8.9 MB)

Geelong Council wants your feedback on how you keep your dogs and cats

The Geelong Council's Domestic Animal Management Plan Review 2013 - 2016 is open for comment from 2 June 2012 to 22 June 2012

"The City of Greater Geelong is preparing a Domestic Animal Management Plan for 2013 - 2016 in relation to the keeping and management of domestic dogs and cats with the municipality.

As part of this process, we are seeking comments and feedback about the outcomes from the existing Domestic Animal Management Plan 2008 - 2012 and or other issues pertinent to domestic animals that are of an interest. This will inform Council in developing appropriate strategies for future service delivery.

The City has prepared a background paper detailing the current status of domestic animal management within the City, together with the key domestic dog and cat issues within the community.

The City invites pet owners, members of the community and special interest groups to review the background paper and have your say. You can do this by completing our online survey (please follow the link below) before 22 June 2012..."

You can complete the Domestic Animal Management Plan Review online survey.

The back ground paper is available - Domestic Animal Management Plan - Background Paper (PDF - 6.9 MB)

Drysdale Clifton Springs Press Articles May 23 - June 4, 2012

Bellarine ferry service needs a bypass. DryCliftDays, Sunday, June 3, 2012. "State Planning Minister Matthew Guy has widened a feasibility study into a Werribee to Melbourne ferry to include stops at Geelong and Portarlington. His decision followed a call by Bellarine state MP Lisa Neville to include Portarlington in the study and it also reflects five years of lobbying by the Portarlington Ferry Group. DCSCA supports the call for a Portarlington ferry service, but until the Drysdale bypass is built, vehicles heading to and from the ferry will just add to the congestion in Drysdale High Street..."

Lions Clubs ask primary schools to imagine peace. Bellarine Times, June 1 2012. "Seven primary schools in the North Bellarine area – St Leonards, Portarlington, Drysdale, Bellarine College, Christian College, St Thomas Catholic College and Clifton Springs – are competing in the Lions International Peace Poster competition..."

Men's shed receives lifeline, by Ali Deane, Bellarine Times, June 1 2012. "The Drysdale Community Bank, a branch of the Bendigo Bank, has just purchased a defibrillator for the Clifton Springs Men's Shed, complete with a training package..."

Police in 'rift' over holidays, By Michelle Herbison. The Bellarine Independent, 1st June 2012. "The region's top cop has sparked a rift with Bellarine Peninsula police over plans for staffing the area over summer. Insp Gary Bruce said a meeting with officers-in-charge from Ocean Grove, Drysdale, Queenscliff and Portarlington this week revealed most were "not convinced" of his plans for a staffing overhaul..."

Summer policing fears, by Andrea Hamblin. Geelong Advertiser, May 31st, 2012. "Tourism chiefs have warned against scrapping higher police numbers on our coastline over summer, as Victoria Police makes drastic changes to holiday policing. Tourism leaders say more police on the beat are needed to provide visible safety and combat crime during peak tourist times. Police management yesterday met with police force members to discuss changes to the way they are rostered during summer, including the scrapping of traditional temporary posting of police to holiday hot spots. Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association secretary Patrick Hughes said Drysdale and Ocean Grove were flagged growth areas and therefore needed more police year round to deal with population increases. "And yet there's been no plan for extra police to deal with that," Mr Hughes said. "The town is seeing its police presence depleted. It's not the wild west ... but it needs blokes on the beat."..."

Ferry's in, by Ali Deane. Bellarine Times, May 29 2012. "Portarlington Ferry to be considered in $300,000 commuter ferry service study. Planning Minister Matthew Guy has said Portarlington will be considered in a $300,000 government study into commuter ferry services for Port Phillip Bay, following concerns over its exclusion from a recent state budget announcement. The decision was announced the day after Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville called on Mr Guy to urgently include the proposed Portarlington Ferry in the government's study..."

Colours, collages and coast at 135, by Ali Deane. Bellarine Times, May 26 2012. "Three local art identities have joined forces for a new show that celebrates colour, coast and local stories at Drysdale's 135 Art Gallery and Studio. In their self-titled show, Linda Gallus, Colin Foster and Pip Williams explore past and present of the Bellarine, perfect light and lazy days, and imagery of the recent Jayco Series cycling event..."

Police withdraw from growing local towns, DryCliftDays, Friday, May 25, 2012. "Bellarine towns will lose police cover under new rosters! Geelong Advertiser journalist Andrea Hamblin reports that, 'Fewer police will be rostered on in Queenscliff, Portarlington, Drysdale and Ocean Grove during days, with members eventually used to make up a 24-hour patrol. But there are no plans for extra police numbers to help to deal with the increased workload on the peninsula.' ('Coast cops called away' Geelong Advertiser 25 May)..."

Lions literacy in schools program a success. Bellarine Time, May 24 2012. "To encourage literacy for children, the Lions Club of Portarlington/Drysdale sponsored the very popular and successful Authors in Schools Literacy Program for Clifton Springs, Drysdale, Portarlington and St Leonards primary schools..."

Tip costs from tax to rise only slightly, by Cameron Best. Geelong Advertiser, May 24th, 2012."Geelong ratepayers will pay just $2.35 extra a year under the carbon tax to have their rubbish collected and dumped at the Drysdale landfill..."

Coast cops called away, by Andrea Hamblin. Geelong Advertiser, May 25th, 2012. "Bellarine Peninsula police will be forced to abandon their communities under a new roster scheme that will see coastal officers used to fill a police shortfall in Geelong and Corio. Less police will be rostered on in Queenscliff, Portarlington, Drysdale and Ocean Grove during days, with members eventually used to make up a 24-hour patrol..."

Clifton students give play time serious consideration, by Andrea Hamblin. Geelong Advertiser, May 24th, 2012. "Clifton Springs Primary students are part of a growing movement fighting for the right to play time. Finn Ferguson Cumming, Maddison Sharp, Alana Gray and Sebastian Brew Doyle joined members of the Northern Bellarine Early Years network at a summit last week to develop a manifesto that will be delivered to the UN later this year. The Australian Children's Play summit gives kids a chance to discuss the need for unstructured play..."

Second Hand book sale - June Long Weekend in Drysdale

St James Church is holding a second hand book sale at their newly refurbished rebuilt hall in Collins Street Drysdale on Saturday June 9 from 9am - 5pm and on Sunday June 10 from 10am to 4pm.

Entry is free - phone 5251 2594 for more information.

Barwon Water wants feedback on their water plan

You have until 31 July 2012 to provided Barwon Water with feedback on their water plan.

Barwon Water - 2013 Water Plan: draft for public comment, Thursday 31 May 2012

We are seeking feedback from our community on the draft 2013 Water Plan.

The Water Plan sets the strategic direction for Barwon Water for the next 5 years (2013–2018). It details our service standards, business initiatives, expenditure forecasts, infrastructure plans and the prices our customers will pay.

Your feedback on the draft document will be used to finalise the Water Plan, before it is submitted to the Essential Services Commission (ESC) in September 2012 for final approval. The ESC is the independent regulator for the water sector.

Feedback can be sent to:


Barwon Water, Strategy and Regulation Team, PO Box 659 Geelong VIC 3220
or emailed to: info@barwonwater.vic.gov.au


Minister for Water Peter Walsh said he strongly encouraged all members of the community to provide comment on the draft plans which will outline the pricing structure for water.

"Victorians have an opportunity to provide their feedback on how much they will pay for their water in the future, and what services will be included in this cost.

"The provision of water services is an important economic infrastructure for households and businesses and the Victorian Government encourages active feedback," Mr Walsh said.