Gather and share the spirit of Christmas

HELLO to all Borough of Queenscliffe residents, ratepayers and visitors. Welcome to summer!

We’ve had some beautiful weather over the last week or so and I’d love nothing more than for it to continue into the holiday season as we finally welcome back crowds of visitors over the summer.

At last week’s November Ordinary Meeting of Council, I was honoured to have been elected by my fellow councillors for a third consecutive term as mayor of the Borough of Queenscliffe.

Looking back at what I had said at this time last year, I reflected that after one week together, I had the feeling this council was going to work really hard for our community.

Twelve months on, and I can tell you that the councillor group has exceeded my expectations with the level of work and commitment to their roles.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and assistance of the borough CEO Martin Gill, and I’m looking forward to again working closely with him throughout the next year.

I’d also like to wish Cr Fleur Hewitt all the very best in her new role as deputy ayor for 2022. Finally, to my family and close friends – thank you for your unwavering support.

Our biggest and best Christmas event yet

Coming up this Saturday, December 4, is the annual Lighting of the Tree at Point Lonsdale.

After last year’s event was an online-only affair due to gathering restrictions, it’s wonderful to be able to welcome one and all to celebrate together in person and share in the spirit of Christmas.

This year we’re doing things a bit differently by turning the main street of Point Lonsdale into a family-friendly street party from 5pm onwards.

Our traders have been some of the hardest hit during the pandemic, so we thought there’s no better way to give back to them than by holding one of our biggest drawcard events in their backyard.

Located by the front beach deck, right alongside our Point Lonsdale shopping strip, the event will allow tourists and residents the opportunity to show their support all evening by shopping for gifts, food and drink before the lighting ceremony begins at 8pm.

Take part in creating our Coastal and Marine Management Plan

At last week’s meeting, council endorsed a draft of its Coastal and Marine Management Plan – and now we’re calling on the community to review the draft and share their feedback.

The draft plan has been developed from ideas submitted by more than 270 community consultation participants and outlines how the borough will manage its coastal landscapes over the long term.

By considering its entire coastline in a single strategy rather than a series of isolated locations, we’ll be able to balance the way council maintains infrastructure and tackles challenges like coastal erosion and climate change.

Our draft plan will help us streamline our processes to ensure maintenance and improvement works happen where they’re most needed, protecting our coasts for future generations.

The draft plan builds on previous work completed by council and ideas frequently suggested by borough residents.

Among the features of the draft plan is a pathway strategy, with consultation respondents highlighting walking and exercise as some of the most common reasons they visit the borough’s coasts.

Other community-backed features include greater recognition of Wadawurrung and borough heritage, auditing and preparing design standards for beach signage and infrastructure, and tailoring land management strategies on a precinct basis to respond to what residents most value about different coastal areas.

Visit queenscliffe.vic.gov.au/coasts to read the draft plan and provide your feedback before 11.59pm on December 19, 2021.

Borough takes out climate award

Last month, council’s community-led Climate Emergency Response Plan was officially recognised at the Cities Power Partnership Climate Awards, taking out the Community Choice Award.

We were up against seven other jurisdictions from across the country – including the ACT Government, Brisbane City Council and City of Adelaide – and our efforts gained top marks in the publicly-voted prize, which organised by the Climate Council.

I think it’s fitting that a project as community driven as our Climate Emergency.

Response Plan has received the Community Choice Award. Despite our small size, we’re determined to play a big part in addressing the impact of climate change, and that will continue as we implement the 49 individual actions in the plan over the coming months and years.

In the nomination listing for the award, the Climate Council praised Victoria’s smallest council for “punching above its weight in climate action”, and highlighted the Borough’s commitment to deliberate engagement with the Queenscliffe Climate Action Group (QCAG) in developing the plan.

Thank you to everyone who helped out in the development of the plan – while it’s nice to be rewarded on a national stage, we know we’re just getting started in the fight against climate change.

As always, if you have anything you’d like to discuss with me about the borough, drop me a line via the contact details on our website.

Kind regards,
Cr Ross Ebbels
Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe