IN BRIEF

Budj Bim recommended for World Heritage status

AN ABORIGINAL heritage site in south-west Victoria, Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, is just one step away from a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Last week, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, which works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places around the world, officially recommended World Heritage status for Budj Bim. The final step in the process will see the nomination formally considered by the World Heritage Committee when it meets in July 2019. The Labor state government successfully advocated for Budj Bim to be added to Australia’s Tentative World Heritage List in 2017.

Victorians wear orange to say thanks to SES

MAY 22 was Wear Orange Wednesday, a national day of thanks dedicated to the more than 5,000 Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers, who support their local communities during flood, storm, landslide, road rescue, search and rescue, and more. Last year VICSES volunteers responded to 27,668 requests for assistance. The majority of these calls were in relation to storm assistance (19,730), flood relief (2,570) and road rescue (1,416).

G21 looks forward to election promises being fulfilled

LEADING Geelong lobby group G21 is looking forward to the federal election result translating into fulfilment of pre election commitments to support six of its Priority Projects and two of its Pillar Projects. These include $700 million to duplicate the rail line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds, $14 million for Victoria’s first walk-in Adult Mental Health Centre in Corio, and $2 billion towards fast rail between Geelong and Melbourne (though this is contingent on matching funding from the state government). Several of the commitments are part of the Geelong City Deal, including $30 million for a Geelong Convention Centre.