IN BRIEF

Feral cats in Portarlington

DURING the past six months, the City of Greater Geelong has been working with individuals and businesses in a Portarlington shopping centre area to resolve issues relating to pest animals. City director of planning, design and development Gareth Smith said the council had removed more than 20 cats from the Newcombe Street shopping area. “We have scheduled a further feral cat trapping program for the coming weeks to directly address concerns recently raised by community members. Unfortunately, feral cats are a state and national issue and we will continue to work with other agencies to address these matters on a larger scale.”

First whale calf of season spotted

THE Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has confirmed sightings of the first Southern Right Whale calf of the season at Logans Beach, Warrnambool. DELWP natural environment programs officer Mandy Watson said the female was known to the research team and has been sighted at Logans Beach for several years. “We’re encouraging members of the community to report any Southern Right Whale sightings along the Victorian coast at swifft.net.au/srwsmp to support ongoing research programs.”

City of Greater Geelong adopts budget

THE City of Greater Geelong has adopted the 2019-20 Budget and Council Plan 2018- 22, Update 2019. The two major documents were endorsed by councillors without change, following the review of 52 public submissions. The budget forecasts a recurrent operating surplus of $1.4 million, while supporting services to the community costing $314.4 million, and lays out a strategic capital works program of $117 million.