COUNCILLOR COLUMN

Rural and Peri Urban Advisory Committee update

Although our city is growing rapidly, a large portion of Greater Geelong remains rural.

It’s important that this distinctive part of our region’s character is maintained and supported.

This year we formed a Rural and Peri Urban Advisory Committee to represent the interests of our rural residents.

I’m pleased to be chairing the committee, which includes community members and representatives from industry bodies, the City of Greater Geelong and neighbouring municipalities.

Our five community members were chosen from an extremely strong field of applicants, and bring a broad range of knowledge in farming and the environment:

Eric Sharkey – Balliang East resident who’s a board member of the G21 Agribusiness Forum and active in two local Landcare groups and the CFA.

Fiona Conroy – a farmer on the Bellarine Peninsula and former member of the Geelong Saleyards User Group.

Geoff McFarlane – extensive career in natural resource management, working with federal and local government and several community groups. Lectures on sustainable land management at Marcus Oldham College.

Joan Lindros – Secretary of the Geelong Environment Council and an active member of a number of environment groups.

Stuart McLean – Chair of the Australian Livestock Saleyards Association with more than 50 years’ experience as a primary producer. Awarded an OAM in 2017.

We’re privileged to have all five of these outstanding people volunteering their time, along with Dr Angela Clough representing Agriculture Victoria, who’s an expert in biosecurity.

The committee recently held its first meeting, where we agreed on our initial areas of focus.

Many of these relate to the transition of saleyards services following the closure of the Geelong saleyards.

Matters we’ll be prioritising include:
• Livestock exchange
• Truck wash
• Biosecurity
• Information exchange

Although we’re required to meet quarterly, for the time being we’ll be meeting every month so we can make some early progress.

Our role is to provide considered, expert advice to Council, and I’m confident this committee can have a positive impact for the rural and peri urban community in Greater Geelong.

World Environment Day
Last Tuesday (June 5) was World Environment Day.

As Deputy Chair of Council’s Environment and Sustainability portfolio, I attended a wonderful event at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre – the Green Achiever Awards.

These celebrate outstanding environmental initiatives from City of Greater Geelong staff.

From nine excellent nominations, there were two winners: Colin Hunt from Leisurelink, who has started a ‘Green Team’ amongst staff to develop initiatives that will reduce the centre’s footprint; and Janeen Rowe and Bonnie Birkett-Rees from the Boorai Centre in Ocean Grove, who have done some brilliant work educating pre-school children in sustainable concepts.

We also heard insightful presentations from CSIRO research scientist Kathy Willis and Matt Crawley from the Caring for our Bays program.

The City of Greater Geelong is one of only three councils in Australia to be awarded ‘One Planet Living’ certification based on our sustainability policies and strategies.

We also encourage all residents to do your best to reduce your environmental footprint. Avoiding single-use plastics wherever possible is a good start.

Simple changes such as bringing your own coffee cup and using reusable lunch boxes can make a big difference.

Latest from the Potato Shed
The Bellarine Multi Arts Facility in Drysdale (better known as the Potato Shed) is a wonderful asset for our community.

As a Council representative on the Potato Shed’s committee, I’m excited about the upcoming schedule, which features theatre, live music and even a movie.

Between now and the end of June, the venue will host renowned Celtic musicians Colin Mockett and Shirley Power in ‘The Celts! Myths, Music and Humour’, as well as a screening of long-awaited documentary ‘The Gut Movie’ with a live panel Q&A, and award-winning play Hotel Sorrento produced by HIT Productions.

Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/potatoshed for more information.

Celtic Festival a hit
Over the long weekend I had a great time attending the National Celtic Festival in Portarlington.

This festival has become an annual tradition, attracting around 15,000 people each year.

Congratulations to the organisers on an outstanding job. The quality of performers was very impressive.

If you’ve never been before, I recommend marking it in your diary for 2019.