City wants input on Portarlington services

PORTARLINGTON community members have their chance to put forward their priorities for the town’s facilities and services through a council engagement process.

The City of Greater Geelong has launched its Portarlington Community Facilities Study to understand existing and future demand for infrastructure, programs and services.

The city wants to hear from locals about community needs such as meeting spaces, library services, early years services and social, cultural and well-being programs to identify areas for improvement.

The consultation follows a council budget commitment to investigate facilities and services required in Portarlington.

Geelong deputy mayor Trent Sullivan encouraged locals to take part in the six-month study.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible about the future needs of the area,” Cr Sullivan said.

“The smaller townships across the Bellarine Peninsula form an important part of our municipality and we want to make sure everyone in our region has equal access to the services they need.”

Fellow Bellarine Ward councillor Jim Mason said the consultation would gather important data and insights to inform the council’s future planning.

“All feedback received from the consultation will be taken into account and used to assist in planning for the future,” Cr Mason said.

“We want to identify existing services and recognise future demand, so we make the right investments when and where they are needed most.

“Once we understand the options, the study will provide valuable information for future funding consideration.”

City officers were in Portarlington on Friday last week to hear in-person feedback, while online surveys are open until April 8.

The council indicated it would release a feedback summary and Issues and Opportunities Paper in June before finalising its study by the end of August.

More information is available at the council’s engagement webpage at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/UCFSPStudy.