Local ANZACs honoured in road renaming

THREE out of four roads in Drysdale shortened by the Drysdale Bypass project have been renamed in honour of local Anzacs.

The 6km long Drysdale Bypass between Jetty Road and Whitcombes Road aims to improve safety and ease congestion on the Bellarine Peninsula, with an expected completion date of mid-2020.

The project has shortened a total of nine roads which require name changes to adhere with current rules that suffixes (east, west etc) must not be used.

Following advertisements and consultation with affected property owners four out of nine roads were approved:

High Street, formerly Portarlington Road, between Jetty Road and Railway Crescent

McKiernan Street, formerly Andersons Road, between Grubb Road and Princess Street

Hackwill Place, formerly Jetty Road, off Portarlington Road

Benham Street, formerly Princess Street, to the Andersons Road intersection.

Five of the nine suggested road names were rejected during the public feedback process and new surveys have been sent out using the names suggested by the community, the results of this consultation will be presented to council in January 2020.

Three of the approved names come from the ANZAC register:

• BENHAM — Winifred Mae: Born in Drysdale, enlisted on April 13, 1945. Served as a private with the Australian Women’s Army Service
• HACKWILL — William Mercer: Born in Drysdale, enlisted on March 14,1941. Served as a lieutenant with District Accounts Office
• McKIERNAN — Lawrence Nicholas: Born in Drysdale, enlisted November 1942. Served as private with 20th Australian Pioneer Battalion AIF.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said they were pleased to honour local ANZACs.

“I’m pleased three of our local ANZACs who served Australia during World War II have been honoured with new road names in Drysdale.

“We understand the name changes are an inconvenience for affected residents. Unfortunately, it is unavoidable due to state policy but we appreciate the community’s feedback and cooperation while the names get worked out.”

Affected property owners will be given assistance packages to support them as they transition to their new address.

The council and Major Roads Victoria will support business owners with signage and other assistance.