Mayor’s Column, February 13: Cr Ross Ebbels from the Borough of Queenscliffe

Our free Wiser Driver course returns this March

Wisdom may certainly come with age but, if you’re 60 or older, driving on our roads today could feel very different to when you first got your licence and purchased your first car. If so, our coming Wiser Driver course might be right for you. It’s an interactive and fun way to get a refresher on recent changes to road rules, info about what to do in an emergency, and opportunities to practice safe driving techniques.

Run over four weeks in March, the informative, informal and friendly course will help you to upgrade your knowledge, build on your experience and keep driving safely.

Each session runs for two hours at the Queenscliff Town Hall and everything is provided, including morning tea. Places are limited so to secure your spot, phone Lisa or Julie today on 5258 4132.

Community Environment Alliance grant applications closing soon

Time is almost up for local non-profit organisations and groups to submit their applications for Council’s 2020–21 Community Environment Alliance grants program. Successful grants will support, enhance and improve environmental sustainability in the local community. Projects may include environmental education, waste reduction and recycling initiatives, energy efficiency upgrades, revegetation and water conservation within the Borough of Queenscliffe municipality.

The deadline for applications is tomorrow, Friday February 14 – head to queenscliffe.vic.gov.au/ceagrants for more info.

Queenscliffe Hub – thanks for getting involved!

Thanks to everyone who took part in the recent round of consultation for the planning of the Queenscliffe Hub, the new building on Hesse Street that will combine the existing Library, Historical Museum and Visitor Information Centre. We hosted a couple of drop-in sessions at the Town Hall which were well attended and there’s also been plenty of feedback provided via the online survey.

There’ll be two further opportunities to provide input in the next few months; keep an eye on the council’s website for details.

Climate emergency response

Since the Borough declared a climate emergency at our Ordinary Meeting of Council in December 2019, we’ve begun investigating the form our Climate Emergency Response Plan should take and how we will partner with the community to develop the plan.

We know a lot of you are interested in these initiatives, as well as how you can help, so stay tuned as we’ll have a report up on our website later this month.

Thanks to the hot rods for a great weekend

Hundreds upon hundreds of classic pre-1965 hot rods descended upon the Borough for the Geelong Street Rodders’ Queenscliff Rod Run at the start of the month. The magnificent vehicles and friendly visitors made for an enjoyable Saturday night cruise and Sunday show ‘n’ shine, where I presented my “Mayor’s Pick” to Michael Bakker for his exquisite 1955 Chevrolet Nomad. Well done to all attendees and we look forward to your return next year.

Coming Council meetings

Join myself and fellow Councillors for our next Listening Post, to be held at Queenscliff Uniting Church on March 6 at 3pm. The next Ordinary Meeting of Council is at 7pm on February 27 at the Town Hall.

Please feel free to say hi when you see me around the Borough.