GOOD STATE Community welcomes state government Bellarine announcements

IMPROVED bus services, lifesaving facilities and a refurbished hall has been the focus of some state government announcements for the Bellarine this week.

Bellarine MP Lisa Neville met with members of the Northern Bellarine Transport Action Group in Portarlington on Monday to share news of three extra weekend services on the four bus routes that run to the Bellarine.

Expected to roll out later this year, these extra weekend services will boost access to and from the Bellarine for residents and visitors.

Route 55 Ocean Grove via Barwon Heads, Route 56 Ocean Grove via Leopold, Route 60 St Leonards via Portarlington and Route 61 Drysdale via Clifton Springs/Leopold will each get three extra services, helping better connect with train services departing from Geelong.

As part of this change, all Route 61 services will be extended to the Bayview shopping centre in Curlewis and new bus stops will be built at the shopping centre and on Centennial Boulevard.

Ms Neville also announced a temporary facility on Tuesday that will allow Point Lonsdale Surf Lifesaving Club members to safely patrol the beach this summer.

The temporary facility, expected to be operational by November, will replace the existing lifesaving outpost that has deteriorated and is no longer suitable for lifesavers to use.

Ms Neville said this $175,000 funding would ensure the new club meets all facility, resource and operational requirements for the upcoming 2019–20 season.

And lastly, Ms Neville officially launched the recently refurbished Indented Head Hall on Tuesday.

The $450,000 refurbishment removed asbestos and replaced the roof and external walls of the hall, which has served the town for more than 60 years.