Drysdale and Clifton Springs - Have Your Say

The SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre is hosting a town summit to enable the Drysdale and Clifton Springs communities to have their say on the future development of the towns and their local amenities.

They are asking you to donate half an hour to your community.

You will be able to view the Economic Development Plan, Streetscape to Artscape, cycling connections, urban design framework, the bypass proposed for Drysdale and more...

The town summit will take the form of an open house at SpringDale from Friday 16 November from 1pm and finish on Monday 19 November at 10am.

All residents will be able to have a say on many issues facing our community at this point in time and informing our Councillors and hopefully the Mayor of our community’s aspirations for the next 4 years as they prepare the City Plan for the next 4 years.

More information is available from the SpringDale.

Another Cyclist Hit by a Car on Murradoc Road

Saturday morning another cyclist was hit on Murradoc Road in Drysdale - this time the driver did not stop.

Hit-run rider left for dead, by Andrea Hamblin. Geelong Advertiser, October 29th, 2012. "A Cyclist who was hit by a car on one of the Bellarine's most dangerous roads has pleaded for the public's help to find the driver who almost killed him. Andrew McKendry was riding in a 100km/h zone on Murradoc Rd, between St Leonards and Drysdale, when he was struck from behind by a passing car about 10.30am on Saturday. He said he was flung from his bike and left bleeding in a roadside ditch, screaming for help.

It has been 21 months since a cyclist was killed on Murradoc Road out side my house. That day is forever etched in my memory.

So far nothing has been done to make Murradoc Road safer for cyclists.

Murradoc Road is a Victorian government funded road - VicRoads has the responsibility to fix it.  It is not obviously high on their list of priorities.

So what price do you put on a human life - fortunately Andrew McKendry will live to ride another day. He was lucky.  What about the next person?

Geelong Council want you to have your say on the Environment

The Geelong Council is running an online survey for residents to have their say on the Geelong region's environment.

The survey runs from 19 October 2012 to 16 November 2012.

The Council are developing a new plan to help guide them in making future decisions about our environment.

They are asking:

• What is important to you about our local environment
• What concerns you have, and
• Your ideas for action
• Your ideas will help us develop the next Environment Management Strategy

My ten cents worth:

• Retain our rural spaces, 
• Put in bicycle paths, 
• Contain town development, and 
• Get a new tip to take the pressure off  Drysdale so that we don't have all these trucks going past our front doors.

Fill in the survey at: Have Your Say on Geelong’s Environment

Discounted Microchipping and Pet Registration at Drysdale

Geelong Council is offering to microchip your pets for only $15* plus registration.

Bring your pets to be microchipped and/or registered.

Animal Officers will be at Springdale Community Hall, 17-21 High Street, Drysdale on Wednesday 21 November from 4:30pm - 7:00pm

*Conditions apply.

This microchipping service is available for:

• Existing registered pets. 
• Pets being microchipped and registered on the day. 
• Pets that reside outside the City of Greater Geelong. 
• Registration fees for pets vary between $10 - $22. 
• Pets cannot be microchipped only (unless an existing registered pet). 

More information available from: Geelong Council

Geelong City Council Elections 2012 Candidate Statements for Cheetham and Coriyule Wards

The Victorian Electoral Commission has published the candidate statements for each person standing in the City of Greater Geelong election this month.

Cheetham Ward (1 vacancy)

BRACKLEY, Anne Elizabeth

Walking and visiting every street and road in Cheetham Ward adds to my lifetime of knowledge of the Bellarine. Growing up on a Bellarine farm and transport depot, travelling to work in Melbourne, being a partner in a small business and Coordinator of SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre has given me a wide range of lifestyle experiences. Serving the local community as Convenor of the Bunyip Festival, Guide Leader, President and Treasurer of many organisations including School Council President Bellarine Secondary College continues to be rewarding. School Council President Nelson Park School, Treasurer Barwon Network of Neighbourhood Centres and member of the Future Proofing Geelong Small to Medium Enterprise Reference Group has enabled me to serve the wider community. As Councillor I will fairly represent and advocate for the residents, businesses, rural areas and towns of Cheetham Ward and strive for a fair share for our part of the beautiful Bellarine.

Candidate's Indication of Preferences:
1 BRACKLEY, Anne Elizabeth
2 MACDONALD, Rod

MACDONALD, Rod

Vote 1 Rod Macdonald. Your support is needed to continue the progress achieved over the past four years. In consultation with our community, I have worked hard to deliver a range of important community projects including the new Allanvale kindergarten, Drysdale library upgrade, oval lighting at Memorial Park, netball court and lights at Drysdale Reserve and significant improvements to the Bellarine Rail Trail. The Leopold Community Hub is in design phase. A master plan for the sub-regional sporting precinct in Anderson Road is approved and stage1 design is complete. I will continue to advocate for economic development opportunities. Land has been identified in both Drysdale and Leopold to facilitate new businesses and planning for a sub-regional shopping centre in Leopold is well advanced. I also undertake to continue my strong support for local community organisations, sporting and service clubs and be available to assist residents with council matters.

Candidate's Indication of Preferences:
2 BRACKLEY, Anne Elizabeth
1 MACDONALD, Rod

Coryule Ward (1 vacancy)

ELLIS, Lindsay

Lindsay John Ellis. Age 63. Wife Vickie. One daughter. Four grandchildren. Family ties to the Bellarine Peninsula since 1857. Resident of Portarlington 40 years. Proprietor Hogan Print, publisher of The Port Report. Member of Portarlington Business Development Association, PCA, FootballNetball Club. Sponsor of Portarlington and St.Leonards Bowls Clubs. Chairman Australia Day Committee Portarlington. As a local I am fully aware of the needs and aspirations of individuals and community groups in Coryule Ward. I offer strong, independent representation for ratepayers, and can guarantee ready and regular communication in all matters concerning the COGG. I firmly believe in fair and balanced distribution of COGG finances amongst all wards. I am a local who strongly believes in our community. Ratepayers of Coryule Ward deserve a fair, equitable and robust voice to ensure delivery of services, with accountability, from the COGG. If elected I guarantee to serve our community honestly and faithfully.

Candidate's Indication of Preferences:
1 ELLIS, Lindsay
2 O'CONNOR, Tom
3 KENNEDY, Dean
5 HAYES, Monica
4 BALDACCHINO, Judith

O'CONNOR, Tom

From starting my working life as a Quantity Surveyor, I went on to start my own businesses in Geelong specialising in vitreous enamelling, screen printing and cryogenic grinding. I have been actively involved in local sporting clubs including football, surf life saving and the Drysdale pony club. I am a competitive open water swimmer and established the Wreck2Reef Open Water Swim Classic. As an active cyclist, I recognised the need for cyclist safety and helped establish Bike Safe on the Bellarine. As Executive Director, Committee for Bellarine, I promote the Buy Bellarine campaign to support our local producers. I am passionate about the north Bellarine. It must remain an environmentally safe and sustainable place to live and visit. We must keep and grow our primary and commercial industries or risk losing them along with local employment. We must determine our own growth and development.

Candidate's Indication of Preferences:
2 ELLIS, Lindsay
1 O'CONNOR, Tom
3 KENNEDY, Dean
4 HAYES, Monica
5 BALDACCHINO, Judith

KENNEDY, Dean

I'm asking for your vote to ensure we have a strong voice on the new council. For too long there has been a perception that our council is Geelong-centric and ignores the plight of the northern Bellarine. We need a local councillor who is passionate about the Bellarine, has a fresh, strong voice and is prepared to stand up and make sure we are no longer ignored. To me, a councillor's role is all about serving the community, giving us a voice and getting our fair share of funding. I'm proud to say I live and work locally, so I'll be accessible as your local councillor. I want to ensure our new council makes decisions based on common sense, a fair go and has the vision to make the northern Bellarine and Geelong region a fantastic place to work, live and play. To contact me, call 5259 3828 or email dean@vote1kennedy.com.

Candidate's Indication of Preferences:
2 ELLIS, Lindsay
3 O'CONNOR, Tom
1 KENNEDY, Dean
5 HAYES, Monica
4 BALDACCHINO, Judith

HAYES, Monica

With your support I will take on the urgent challenges facing Coryule Ward. These include upgrading ageing infrastructure, fairer across the board service provision, a balanced approach to development and an equitable spending of rate revenue. Our unique natural resources demand careful planning in the interests of the whole community. Sustainable tourism and development alongside growing local industry and job opportunities need encouragement. Twenty years ago I chose to raise my young family on the beautiful Bellarine, moving from metropolitan Moonee Ponds where I had spent 6 years as an elected councillor at the City of Essendon, including one as Mayor. Always actively involved in the community, I well understand how local government works. My professional qualifications and experience combine clinical psychology with ergonomics. Recent work in multicultural mental health also adds to my communication and policy-making skills. This council election, use your vote to restore the balance.

Candidate's Indication of Preferences:
3 ELLIS, Lindsay
4 O'CONNOR, Tom
5 KENNEDY, Dean
1 HAYES, Monica
2 BALDACCHINO, Judith

BALDACCHINO, Judith

I am focussing on the concerns and activities of local residents. There are several projects already underway to enhance and protect our sensitive environment. These projects, including cliff protection works, revegetation and landscaping on our foreshores need to be sustained, expanded and funded appropriately. As a councillor endorsed by the Australian Greens, I will be working to ensure that these projects are just the beginning of a cohesive program. Many residents are involved in working extensively for the community and environment. I will work to provide support for our generous volunteers and community leaders. Coryule Ward encompasses some of the best fishing spots, artists and community arts and craftspeople, family friendly beaches and parks, wineries and restaurants, shops and businesses. I will be working to conserve both the natural environment and our vibrant community. I will be ensuring that all residents have access to participating in further projects.

Candidate's Indication of Preferences:
3 ELLIS, Lindsay
4 O'CONNOR, Tom
5 KENNEDY, Dean
2 HAYES, Monica
1 BALDACCHINO, Judith