Where to vote in Drysdale / Clifton Springs for the State Election on Saturday 29 November

There will be three polling booths in the Drysdale Clifton Springs area on Saturday 29 November for the 2014 State election.

• Drysdale Uniting Church Hall, Palmerston Street, Drysdale (Full wheelchair access)
• Beacon Point Kindergarten, 49-55 Centaurus Avenue, Clifton Springs (No Wheelchair Access)
• Clifton Springs Primary School, 84 Jetty Road, Clifton Springs (Full wheelchair access) 

Polling booths are open 8am - 6pm, 29 November.

Early voting centre for the Bellarine - Bellarine State EO - EVC, Shop 2 509 Bellarine Highway Moolap 3221 (Full wheelchair access)

• 9am to 2pm Saturday 22 November
• 8.30am to 8pm Thursday 27 November

Source: http://votingcentrelookup.vec.vic.gov.au/

Open Garden in Drysdale this weekend – Lark Edge

On behalf of Open Gardens Australia, Lark Edge will be open to the public this Saturday November 22 and Sunday November 23, from 10.00 am – 4.30 pm.

Lark Edge is located at 2065 Portarlington Road, Drysdale.

Developed over some 25 years, Lark Edge is a mature country garden on the north face of the Bellarine Peninsula, part of a smallholding which includes a domestic scale vineyard, orchard and grazing paddocks for alpacas.  

It started as a project to plant trees and hardy shrubs to clothe what had been a potato farm.  One half of the 4.5 ha property is fairly level, the other falls away toward Corio Bay with views to the You Yangs.   

Within a framework of woodland areas - pines, casuarinas, eucalypts, acacias and other species - are flower and vegetable gardens, a vineyard, Mediterranean terraces, alpaca fields, shrubberies, collections of pot plants and open spaces of lawns and grasses.  

The varied plantings are linked in a series of winding pathways through both shady and sunny areas. 

Open Saturday and Sunday - 10am - 4.30pm

Address - 2065 Portarlington Road, Drysdale.

Devonshire teas (St James Drysdale catering team)

Plant stall  (Friends of the Geelong Botanic Gardens)

Entry fee $8  - All proceeds to charity

Off-road car-parking is available, no coaches.  

Enquiries: (03) 5253 3340

More details are on the Open Gardens Australia website: http://www.opengarden.org.au/regions/vic_calendar.html

Drysdale Leopold Horse Show and Showjumping - Sunday 14 Dec 2014

Drysdale Leopold Pony Club is holding its annual horse and pony show on Sunday 14 December.

There will be events for:

• Junior and Senior Pony Club
• Open Rings
• Topsy ring-Lunchtime Fancy Dress
• Freshmans and 
• Open AM7 Showjumping

Pre-entry is available, or you can enter on the day.

*Insurance: All open competitors must report to Secretary’s Office to present/sign day attendance form before riding.

Admission: $5.00 per car, PLUS $4.00 FOLLR fee per horse.

$3.50 per event rings 1-3 and there will be no refunds.

Gates will open at 7:00am

Rings will commence from 9:00am, with Freshmans show jumping starting at 8:30am.

Canteen will be available

You can return your ribbons in exchange for raffle tickets on the day.

Ribbons will be awarded to 4th place, with Champion and Reserve sashes also.

** RUGS AND GARLANDS will be awarded for PONY CLUB HIGH POINTS **

** RUGS DONATED BY HORSELAND GEELONG!! **

*Supreme Led *Supreme Ridden *Supreme Rider *Supreme Ridden Show Hunter

*Junior & Senior Pony Club High Point Awards* Topsy Trouper Trophy*

*Ribbons for Freshman’s SJ clear rounds*

**Prize money for AM7 Showjumping**

Location: Lake Lorne Reserve, Reserve Road, Drysdale

Melways ref. 470 G1

www.drysdaleleopold.ponyclubvic.org.au for the full program.

Enquiries: Sam Krause: 0410 870075

Winged Horse Equine Welfare Open Day and Horse Gear Market this Saturday

This Saturday 15 November, Winged Horse Equine Welfare is hosting an open day and horse gear market.  There will be new and used items, food stalls and a jumping castle for the kids (big and small).

There will be 100+ rugs for sale from 3'6 to 6'9 including cottons, synthetic rugs, canvas rugs plus neck rugs and many 6'6 good quality axiom synthetic and a few stable rugs and mesh rugs.

The day will run from 9.30 - 3pm and a gold coin donation is required for entry which will go towards running this charity.

The address is 215 Queenscliff Road, Portarlington. (Enter the property from Church Street).

You can visit the Winged Horse Equine Welfare on Facebook or on the web at: http://www.thewingedhorse.org/

Geelong Council proposes new boundary between Drysdale and Clifton Springs

There is a new retirement village being constructed, known as Bellarine Springs.  The current boundary alignment for Drysdale / Clifton Springs will run through the centre of this retirement village which will split the development into two separate localities.

Geelong Council is proposing to realign the boundary further north to run along the back fence line of properties located on Amarina Road, Clifton Springs.

The Council is consulting on this proposal from 7 November until 13 December 2014.

Below is a map showing the proposed changes:

More information is available from: the City of Greater Geelong.

Drysdale ByPass could be built if the Victorian Coalition Government gets back in

The Geelong Advertiser reports today that

"THE long-awaited Drysdale bypass will be built if the Coalition is returned to government next month.

Premier Denis Napthine will today make an official $106 million election commitment to build the road in the hotly contested seat of Bellarine.

Plans seen by the Geelong Advertiser show the two-lane road will stretch for 5.9km from the major roundabout on the southwest entry to the town and rejoin Portarlington Rd to the town’s north near Whitcombes Rd..."

Read more at: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/liberals-promise-to-build-drysdale-bypass-if-they-win-election/story-fnjuhovy-1227092900904

The road will be started in 2016 and completed in 2019.

Drysdale Bypass Business Case Funded in today's State Budget

The Victorian Treasurer's budget speech today has announced:

"$3.6 million has also been allocated in 2014-15 for planning, project development and the
preparation of business cases for the Drysdale bypass, Westall Road extension, Edgars
Road extension in Epping and a northern extension of the Mornington Peninsula Freeway
to bypass Mordialloc..." page 7. http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/State-Budget/2014-15-State-Budget/Treasurers-Speech

Geelong Council to consider Permit for a Coles Supermarket in Drysdale next to Aldi

Geelong Council will consider a permit from Coles to build a new supermarket in Murradoc Road Drysdale next door to Aldi this Tuesday night (22 April 2014).

Road congestion will reign supreme even more so than it does now - can't see the need for another supermarket - the dollar on spreads so far.

Below is the summary from the Council's agenda document which is in pdf format. The agenda item had detailed information - just follow this link.

Amendment C297 And Permit 765/2013 – Proposed Coles   Supermarket On Murradoc Road, Drysdale

Portfolio: Planning - Cr Heagney
Source Planning and Tourism - Strategic Implementation
General Manager: Peter Bettess
Index Reference Council Reports 2014

Purpose

This report seeks Council approval to exhibit a combined planning scheme amendment and permit to facilitate the development of a supermarket on Murradoc Road, Drysdale.

Summary

• A planning scheme amendment request and planning permit application was made by ERM Australia on behalf of Coles Group Property for land at 24-32 Murradoc Road, Drysdale.
• The amendment proposes to rezone 32 Murradoc Road from the Commercial 2 Zone to the Commercial 1 Zone. The remainder of the subject land is presently in the Commercial 1 Zone.
• The permit application (765/2013) is for buildings and works to construct a supermarket, the display of identification signage, a reduction of car parking requirements, the alteration of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1 and to create a carriageway easement.
• The proposed supermarket has a total floor area of 3,892 sq metres, is of contemporary design and provides good connectivity with the adjacent ALDI store. Vehicle access is from Murradoc Road and a dedicated pedestrian path will connect the newly developing residential estate to the south, through the site, to Murradoc Road.
• The proposal is supported by Council's adopted Drysdale Urban Design Framework August 2012, which identifies the site for a supermarket.
• Relevant to the consideration of this application is the likely opening date of the supermarket and how this would impact on the nearby Jetty Road Neighbourhood Activity Centre, where a 3,200 sq metre Woolworths supermarket is to be constructed and operational by April 2015.
• The economic assessment submitted as part of the Amendment request concluded that the economic and social benefits from the Coles supermarket significantly outweigh any impacts on commercial competitors. The assessment however failed to factor-in the new Jetty Road Centre (instead expecting it to be developed over the medium to long term).
• Council officers commissioned consultant Tim Nott to provide an independent review of the likely economic impact of the proposal.
• The review clearly demonstrates that if the two supermarkets are developed as planned, the food and grocery segment throughout the trade area is likely to experience a very low level of turnover. Mr Nott finds that there is likely to be room for two supermarkets by the mid-2020s, in line with expected population growth.
• Mr Nott estimates that the Jetty Road NAC would suffer a significant loss of around 16% in total retail sales compared with what is currently anticipated. It would appear that both Coles and Woolworths are well aware of the likely economic challenges over the coming 10 year period, but still committed to establishing new supermarkets in the locality as soon as possible.
• The net community benefit of the proposed Coles, particularly in strengthening the role of the Drysdale Town Centre and improving the level of competition in the local food and grocery sector, is considered to outweigh the short to medium term negative impact on the Jetty Road NAC and potential reorganisation of retail space in the trade area.
• It is recommended that the Amendment be placed on public exhibition to allow interested parties, including other business owners and operators in the trade area, an opportunity to make submissions.

Recommendation

That Council resolves to:
1) support the preparation and exhibition of Amendment C297 to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme to rezone the land at 32 Murradoc Road, Drysdale, from the Commercial 2 Zone to the Commercial 1 Zone;
2) consider the application for a planning permit for a Coles supermarket on the land at 24-26, 28-30 and 32 Murradoc Road, Drysdale, concurrently with the preparation of the Amendment in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act, and that draft Planning Permit 765/2013 be prepared and exhibited with the Amendment, subject to resolution of the detail of the permit conditions; and
3) request the Minister for Planning to authorise the preparation and exhibition of Amendment C297 and Planning Permit 765/2013.

McHarrys Bus Depot Permit Application before Geelong Council on Tuesday 22 April

At the Geelong Council meeting on Tuesday 22 April 2014 the Council will consider the planning permit for McHarrys Buslines in Murradoc Road and an amendment for the Drysdale Urban Design Framework to enable the planning permit to be considered. As there are objections to the permit, Council will be referring this to an independent panel to resolve.

Council believes adopting the Drysdale Urban Design Framework provides a strong policy basis for the rezoning of the land along Murradoc Road, up to the Drysdale Bypass route, to Commercial 2 zone. This affects both sides of Murradoc Road including on the south side two small rural holdings either side of Clarendon Road.

Below is the summary from the Council's agenda document which is in pdf format still and over 13mb in size.

Combined Amendment C283 Drysdale Urban Design Framework/Permit 1060/2013 McHarrys Buslines – Consideration of Submissions

Portfolio: Planning - Cr Heagney
Source Strategic Implementation
General Manager: Peter Bettess
Index Reference Subject – Council Reports 2014 - Application C283

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to enable Council to consider submissions to combined Planning Scheme Amendment C283 Drysdale Urban Design Framework and Planning Permit Application1060/2013 for McHarrys Buslines, 97-105 Murradoc Rd, Drysdale.

Summary

• Combined Amendment C283 and Permit 1060/2013 proposes to introduce a number of Ordinance and Zone changes to the Planning Scheme to reflect the recommendations of the adopted Drysdale Urban Design Framework (UDF) and enable McHarrys to establish a bus depot at 97-105 Murradoc Rd, Drysdale.
• The Drysdale UDF applies to the Drysdale town centre and immediately surrounding land. The Amendment updates the Municipal Strategic Statement, introduces Commercial 1 & 2 zones in Murradoc Road and Collins Street and applies new Design and Development Overlays over the town centre commercial areas to reflect the recommendations of the UDF.
• Permit 1060/2013 which accompanies the amendment would enable McHarrys to establish a new bus depot on a 1.2 hectare property (to be rezoned Commercial 2) at 97-105 Murradoc Road, Drysdale. This property is occupied by a detached house and some scattered vegetation.
• Amendment C283 was placed on public exhibition from 23 January 2014 until 24 February 2014. A total of nine submissions have been received of which six either support or offer no objection and three of which object to parts of the amendment and/or draft permit.
• Two submissions (one objecting) have been made about the provisions of the new Design and Development Overlays, in particular DDO33 as it applies to land at 26-32 Murradoc Road on which a new Coles supermarket is being proposed. These Overlays have received wide community acceptance and this report argues there is no justification for changes to be made to the exhibited provisions.
• There is one supporting submission and two objecting submissions to the McHarrys bus depot which essentially request that no permit issue. However given that the proposed Commercial 2 zoning of this part of Murradoc Road is consistent with the recommendations of the UDF, refusal of the permit would be difficult to justify. One of these submitters also objects to the proposed Commercial 2 zoning in Murradoc Road.
• In such circumstances where submissions are unable to be resolved, Council must refer them to an Independent Panel to be appointed by the Minister for Planning.

Recommendation

That Council having considered all submissions to Amendment C283 to the

Greater Geelong Planning Scheme resolves to:

1) Request the Minister for Planning appoint an Independent Panel under part 8 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

2) Refer all submissions to the Panel; and

3) Submit to the Panel its response to the submissions generally as outlined in this report.

Showjumping comes to Drysdale Easter Sunday and Monday

Drysdale Leopold Pony Club is hosting its annual showjumping carnival this Easter Sunday and Monday at Lake Lorne Reserve in Drysdale.

Sunday is an open competition and Freshmans show jumping is available - You can enter on the day - $5 per round - PLUS $4 FOLLR Facility Fee per combination per day (covers both Freshmans and Open). This ring will start at 10.00am at 35cm (may be led) and will progress in 10cm intervals
All clear rounds in Freshmans will receive an Easter Egg.

There is an open AM7 competition starting at 50cm, and going up to 60cm, 70cm, 80cm and 90cm classes - If time/entries permit, the heights may go up.

Ribbons will be awarded to 4th place. Prize money – 1st $15, 2nd $10, 3rd $5. There must be at least four entries in the class before prize money will be awarded.

A Judge’s Award will be made for the – 60cm class only – awarded by the judge to the combination that doesn’t necessarily win but shows excellent skill, sportsmanship and presentation. Rug is proudly sponsored by AVERY EARTHMOVING.

On Monday is Round 3 of the PCAV Barwon Zone BEST competition.

Full canteen is available on both days.

So come and ride or come and cheer our local riders on.

Drysdale gets a new service station - where is the consultation?

City of Greater Geelong is considering a a permit to have a new Milemaker service station located at the Jetty/Grubb Road roundabout in Drysdale.

The first I heard about it was reading it in the Bellarine Times 6th February edition on Saturday. The closing date for submissions was the 7th February - the day before. Trying to find information about this on the Geelong Council website proved fruitless. Or maybe I was looking in the wrong place?

Below I have included a list of articles I found online about the proposal - including a map from the Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association which I have linked to below.

I have posted on the Geelong Mayor - Darryn Lyon's Facebook page tonight asking him to investigate the proposal. He has undertaken to get back to me tomorrow.

Servo bid reveals lights 'plan'

By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN, The Bellarine Independent, 6 February 2014

AN APPLICATION for a third Drysdale service station indicates Vicroads proposes to replace the town's congested Jetty-Grubb-Portarlington roads roundabout with traffic lights. But Vicroads said it was only investigating and had no plans to upgrade the intersection. A Caltex service station with six double car fuel pumps and

Association puts servo permit under the pump

The Bellarine Times, James Taylor February 6, 2014

The City of Greater Geelong (COGG) is seeking feedback on a plan to build another service station in Drysdale, but the Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association has challenged the council's handling of the application process and the proposal's explanation of how it complies with planning laws.

Milemaker Petroleum has applied for a permit to build a service station at 331 Jetty Road, Drysdale, on the wedge of land between Jetty Road to the west and Geelong-Portarlington Road to the east.

The site – which is just over 2,996 square metres in size – will include a car refuelling area with six double-sided pumps, a truck refuelling area with two pumps, a 400-square-metre service station building and seven car parks.

Community Group Says a Firm "no"

by Stephanie Drysdale & Clifton Springs Voice, February 2014.

"The Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association is objecting to a proposed industrial scale project. A six double-pump service station has been proposed on the land running between the southern ends of Jetty Road and Portarlington Rd in Drysdale.

The application made to the City of Greater Geelong by Caltex franchisee Milkemaker Petroleum has the community group up in arms, believing the application has been made inept for public comment as well as transgressing and contradicting many planning policies..."

Council restricts public comment on proposed new service station in Drysdale

Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association, Wednesday, January 29, 2014.

Caltex franchisee Milemaker Petroleum has applied to the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) to build a service station with 6 double-pumps on the land between the southern ends of Jetty Road and Portarlington Road.

CoGG has invited public comments on the proposal during the period 21 January to 7 February 2014. A plan of the proposal is shown above. The red triangle shows the property affected; the blue arrow on the right points to the location of the proposed service station; and the proposal includes plans for a road connecting Jetty Road and Portarlington Road across the property, but this isn't shown.Details of the proposal are allegedly available from CoGG's web site, but today, at least, they weren't! ..."

McHarry’s Buslines wants to build a depot in Murradoc Road Drysdale

McHarry's Buses wants to build a depot for its buses in Drysdale and turn a beautiful park like setting into a bitumen heat sink.

To make this happen,  the Geelong Council is running a Public Exhibition of the Drysdale Urban Design Framework Amendment C283.

The amendment is open for comment from anyone who wants to from 17 January 2014 to 24 February 2014.

The land affected by the amendment applies to all land in and around the Drysdale town centre within the Drysdale Urban Design Framework study area.

The land affected by this particular application is 97 – 105 Murradoc Road, Drysdale and McHarrys Buslines has applied for the permit.

The Amendment proposes to make changes to the Municipal Strategic Statement and apply new zones and overlays in accordance with recommendations of the Drysdale Urban Design Framework. 

The application is for a permit for buildings and works and new road access in association with a bus depot.

Currently this block has a house on an open park like environment with lots of trees.

It is proposed to keep the existing house, but around 75% of the grounds will be either put under bitumen or paving. The amount of fumes, maintenance noise, heat reflection which will be generated will affect the residents either side of this eyesore, not to mention the number of large vehicles going to this depot and in and out of the entrance will increase heavy vehicle traffic on Murradoc Road.

This will compound the existing traffic making its way to the council tip. Something all of us in Murradoc Road are really looking forward to.

Below is a plan showing what McHarry's proposes to do with this site.

More information about the proposed amendment is available from the City of Greater Geelong website. And they call this progress.