Candidates wrap-up series of forums

A MEET-the-candidates forum in Ocean Grove has concluded a series of five held across the Bellarine in the lead up to this weekend’s state election.

The last forum, held at Ocean Grove Bowling Club, gave Bellarine voters the chance to question Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville, Rachel Semmens from the Australian Greens, Naomi Adams from the Animal Justice Party and Liberal candidate Brian McKiterick on local issues that concern them.

CBCA spokesperson Chris Kelly said that during the five forums it was obvious that planning and development was a big focus for the coastal communities, where many residents wanted to preserve the distinctive character that makes them so attractive to tourists and residents alike.

“Audiences were pleased to hear a commitment from Liberal and Labor that, if elected to government, each would legislate to ensure protection of these towns and villages from inappropriate development, and urban sprawl,” Ms Kelly said.

“Questions from the floor focused too on recreational infrastructure such as swimming pools on the north Bellarine, and the impact of traffic movement through communities like Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove and Queenscliff, especially with the Sorrento-Queenscliff terminal upgrade.

“Also frustrating to Bellarine residents is the lack of an integrated transport plan for the Bellarine Peninsula that would manage heavy vehicle traffic, the increasing congestion caused by more and more cars, and the need for the Bellarine Link to progress.

“The challenges of public transport services and how to improve connectivity, and the need for cycling and pedestrian links were frequent question topics, as was policing on the Bellarine in places as diverse as Portarlington and Leopold.”

Ms Kelly said all forums were conducted in good spirit, and really appreciated by audiences.

The Combined Bellarine Community Associations, representing the voice of the nine community associations across the Bellarine Peninsula, offered the series of events, which took place in Point Lonsdale, Portarlington, Leopold, Drysdale and Ocean Grove.