MAYOR’S COLUMN

Safe bike access on Murray Road

Council is seeking feedback on three design options that separate bikes and cars along Murray Road. Murray Road is currently the only part of the Bellarine Rail Trail where cyclists have to ride on the road, making this stretch of road dangerous for families on bikes and difficult for cars to navigate.

We’ve come up with three design options that give bikes and cars their own space, while also taking into account considerations like drainage, vegetation impacts and the budget available for the project. Now we’d like your feedback on what you like about each option, and how you think we can best resolve this problem for both cyclists and road users. Have your say at surveymonkey. com/r/murrayroad.

Hesse Street South upgrades receive funding

After significant advocacy efforts by Council, Regional Roads Victoria has announced it will be contributing $904,558 for Hesse Street South upgrade works. This funding is in addition to Council’s contribution of $452,279.

The project will include a range of upgrades to Hesse Street south of King Street, including moving power lines underground, improving street lighting and drainage, creating 16 extra parking spaces, and planting new trees. Together, these works will make Hesse Street safer for cars and pedestrians while improving the visual appeal of the streetscape.

Consultation results for Hesse Street revitalisation plan

Upgrades to Hesse Street South are part of Council’s broader vision to improve and invest in Hesse Street as a whole.

Recent consultation received 331 responses, with community members suggesting a range of improvements, including for pedestrians and open space. For a full report on the outcomes of this consultation, visit queenscliffe.vic. gov.au/news, and look for the Hesse Street Revitalisation update.

Council will now draft a plan that incorporates the priorities we’ve heard from the community. We’ll then take this plan to further community consultation later this year.

Queenscliff Literary Festival

Over three weekends in May, the Queenscliffe Literary Festival celebrated the work of Australian writers and artists. The schedule of inspiring events included talks by Gillian Triggs, Kerry O’Brien and Maxine McKew. The festival was an enormous success, with over 2000 tickets sold. This is testament to the dedication and commitment of the volunteers who organise this wonderful event.

2019 Low Light Festival

The Low Light Festival, a celebration of winter in Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale, continues until Sunday June 30. The enthusiasm and support of local businesses has resulted in another fantastic program of events, once again curated by the Queenscliff Music Festival directors. The program is available at lowlightqueenscliff.com.au.

In conjunction with the Low Light Queenscliff, the opening night of the Bellarine Lighthouse Film Festival will see the screening of the film ‘A Boy Called Sailboat’ with the Grigoryan Brothers playing the soundtrack live in the Queenscliff Town Hall. Tickets available through the Low Light website.

SacredEdge Festival

Over the first weekend of May, the SacredEdge Festival was held at the Uniting Church in Queenscliff. This festival celebrated diversity through arts, music and ideas and has been held each year since 2014. The ongoing success of this
festival is solely due to the hard work and passion of the team of dedicated volunteers. I congratulate them all.

Nominations now open for Victorian Senior of the Year Awards

Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale are fortunate to have a vibrant community of seniors volunteering and working for important causes. The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise an older person who makes a difference here in the Borough. If you know someone who deserves recognition, you can nominate them online at seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/awards.

Council’s Community Listening Post in June

Join Councillors for our upcoming Community Listening Post in the Bay Room of the Queenscliff Uniting Church on Friday June 21 2019 at 10.30am.

Meetings ahead

The next Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held on Thursday June 20 2019, commencing at 7pm in the Queenscliff Town Hall. All welcome.