Councillor Column: Cr Jim Mason from the City of Greater Geelong, August 20

WE are now two weeks into this second period of stage three restrictions, and our Greater Geelong community is again showing its dedication to limiting further spread of COVID-19.
A committed effort from us all over the coming weeks will help protect our community and save lives – we all have a role to play.
Please stay at home as much as you can, wear your face mask and physically distance from others when you’re out in public, and get yourself tested if you experience symptoms.
I also encourage everyone to safely support local businesses wherever possible.
You may not be able to visit your local café or restaurant for a meal at the moment, but many of these venues are now offering contactless takeaway or delivery services.
And when you’re shopping online, please think local first.
Thank you all for your ongoing efforts as we tackle this enormous challenge together.

Site chosen for north Bellarine pool
Exciting news for north Bellarine residents last week, with the Council selecting the Drysdale Sports Precinct as the location for a new 50-metre pool.
This is a major milestone in this project and means detailed design can now get underway. In short, the north Bellarine community’s long-held dream of a new pool is a big step closer to reality.
The federal government committed $10 million for this facility in April 2019, and the Council has allocated $750,000 in this year’s budget.
It’s proposed the centre will feature a 50-metre pool, multipurpose spaces, change facilities and a pavilion.
The chosen location is easily accessible from all north Bellarine towns, will integrate well with the surrounding sporting facilities and schools, and will allow room to expand in future should more funding become available.

Sports lighting for St Leonards Lake Reserve
The City of Greater Geelong was successful in its recent application for $2.5 million in sports lighting grants under the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program.
The funding is for new floodlighting at seven different reserves across the Greater Geelong region, including St Leonards Lake Reserve.
This is welcome news and we thank the Victorian Government for the funding.

Planning for new community pavilion on St Leonards foreshore
In 2019, the federal government made an election commitment of $430,000 for a new community pavilion and upgraded amenities next to Harvey Park on the St Leonards foreshore.
The City of Greater Geelong has now developed concept plans for this new facility, and we’re seeking feedback from nearby residents and users of the reserve.
The plans include an open-sided shelter with BBQs, seating, toilets, change facilities and cold water outdoor showers, along with new trees and a public art piece.
They’ve been developed in consultation with the St Leonards Beautification Committee, the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP), and Bellarine Bayside Coastal Management.
You can view the concept plan and have your say until September 7 at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au.

Fresh approaches to rabbit control, tree management and stormwater services
The Council’s draft four-year Rabbit Control Plan is open for feedback until next Tuesday (August 25).
This plan, once finalised, will give us an integrated approach to controlling the rabbit population and regenerating affected land through a variety of techniques.
You can read the draft plan in full and share your thoughts and ideas with us via yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au.
The feedback period recently closed on our draft Tree Management Policy, which will guide the future management and protection of our region’s vast tree population.
Thanks to everyone who provided input – your feedback will now be considered by the Council before we finalise the policy.
And the Council is pleased with our new 10-year Stormwater Services Strategy, adopted on 30 June.
It’s a far-sighted document that plans for climate change, more intense rainfall events, and the combined re-vegetation and recreational use of some floodways. It will also see us using more harvested stormwater on our parks and gardens, reducing demand on the region’s drinking water supplies.
The strategy can be read in full at geelongaustralia.com.au.

Thanks to our community
Pending a state government decision to delay the Council elections or press ahead with the scheduled date in October, this may be my final column for the Bellarine Times before the caretaker period begins.
Thank you to all Bellarine residents who have taken the time to contact me with an idea or issue during the three years of this Council term.
We have a wonderful, passionate community and it is an honour to represent you.

Cr Jim Mason
Bellarine Ward, City of Greater Geelong