DIGITAL DOLLARS Geelong budget tracks trail for faster broadband

THE City of Greater Geelong has released its proposed budget for 2019-20 with a broadband initiative heading the bill.

Among a host of capital works projects for the Bellarine is the Bellarine Enhanced Broadband initiative, which will enhance digital access across the region.

The $500,000 joint project, with Deakin University and AARNET, would install and run high-capacity optical fibre from South Geelong train station along the Bellarine Rail Trail corridor to Queenscliff.

It will allow council-managed facilities – such as the Potato Shed and integrated children’s centres – to access ultra-high speed internet.

Other community projects include:

• Completing the $13 million Drysdale Integrated Children’s Centre ($7.5 million)

• The future St Leonards Early Childhood Centre ($1 million) • The Drysdale Regional Community and Learning Hub ($300,000), which will replace the existing library and senior citizens centre

• The Jetty Road Children’s and Community Hub ($200,000) in Curlewis

• The design of a sports pavilion in the Ocean Grove north development area ($150,000)

• The second stage of the Drysdale Sporting Precinct ($150,000)

• Master plans for the Ocean Grove Memorial Reserve ($60,000) and Portarlington Recreation Reserve ($50,000), and

• A feasibility study into the need for enhanced aquatic facilities on the Bellarine Peninsula ($150,000) has also been supported.

There is also investment earmarked for the Bellarine’s transport networks, including:

• A new north-south connector road, Tivoli Drive, will be built at Curlewis ($1.4 million), with intersection signals at Portarlington Road and pedestrian signals on the Bellarine Rail Trail

• The rail trail between High Street, Drysdale and the new off-road path being built along the Drysdale bypass ($220,000) will be sealed, while a footpath is to be constructed on the south side of Murradoc Road in St Leonards ($254,760)

• A master plan to improve the shared trails of the Bellarine and Greater Geelong ($200,000) is being pursued, and

• Bus stops will be upgraded to meet disability standards ($100,000) on the Northern Bellarine, while $80,000 will be used to study traffic and parking demands in Barwon Heads.

All three Bellarine Ward councillors were positive about the proposed budget. Cr Stephanie Asher said they had followed up on the community’s ideas and worked hard to bring as many local projects as possible to the forefront of the council’s thinking.

Cr Trent Sullivan said the Bellarine Ward had attracted millions of dollars’ worth of welldeserved investment.

Cr Jim Mason said the budget addressed a lot of issues across the Bellarine.

“We can’t do everything in one year, but overall we hope the community will be happy with what’s included.”