Borough makes headlines as caring, committed township

HELLO to all Borough of Queenscliffe residents, ratepayers and visitors. It’s been an exciting few weeks for our township as the Borough of Queenscliffe name has been up in lights, for good reason.

The media coverage of the borough having the highest vaccination rate in the country has been an important thank-you to our committed, caring community. At last look, we are now up to 96 per cent first dose coverage in our LGA, which is a phenomenal achievement and one I am extremely proud of as mayor.

While it’s still important to go and get your jab if you haven’t done so already, it’s just as important now to be checking the list of exposure sites daily to make sure you’re aware of whether you need to test and isolate.

There’s been a number of sites on the Bellarine Peninsula, so it’s a timely reminder to be vigilant in keeping up to date with those sites. Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au for the latest.

Safer roads for Queenscliff shoppers

Council’s pedestrian safety blitz will be continuing throughout September with works currently taking place to install new pedestrian refuges on King Street and Flinders Street.

The first of these crossings is located near the Queenscliff General Store Cafe, helping walkers, runners and cyclists cross what is often a very busy stretch of road. Similarly, the crossing on Flinders Street near Cottage by the Sea will benefit everyone from beachgoers to users of the vast open space of the old high school site, as the refuge allows pedestrians to cross the road in two turns.

These crossings add to the ones we’ve already completed in Gellibrand Street, Point Lonsdale Road, Ocean Road and Hesse Street.

We’re all hoping for plenty of visitors and part-time residents to return to the borough during summer, and these new installations will make our towns a safer and more enjoyable place for all residents.

Thanks to the Transport Accident Commission who contributed funding to a number of these projects.

New art school lands in borough

Speaking of King Street, one of the other businesses nearby is the newly opened Bellarine School of Art, which has recently decided to make its home in Queenscliff.

The school delivers workshops for both children and adults of all ages, and their term 4 and school holiday programs are now available to book. I’d like to welcome Lara and her business to the borough and I’m looking forward to checking it out soon.

Seniors festival goes online again

This year’s Victorian Seniors Festival is going virtual once again. While we’d have loved to host in-person events across the Borough, the current coronavirus situation means that the annual schedule has again been ‘reimagined’ – with this year’s theme revolving around the classic rhyme: “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue”.

There’s a whole host of content online for you to consume, from videos and audio recordings to the written word. Visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au and follow the links for more.

Coronavirus hardship policy

Council has recently opted to extend our COVID-19 financial hardship policy in the wake of continuing lockdowns and other limitations.

We recognise that the pandemic has and will continue to cause significant financial hardship for some members of the community, so we’re continuing to help the residents, ratepayers and businesses which need that assistance.

If you feel like this may apply to your individual situation or business, please get in contact with Council’s Rates Coordinator by calling (03) 5258 1377 and we’ll help point you in the right direction.

As always, feel free to get in touch with me if you have anything to ask or share regarding our beautiful borough.

Kind regards,
Cr Ross Ebbels
Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe