Mayor’s Column: Cr Ross Ebbels from the Borough of Queenscliffe, August 27

THE Geelong Small Business Festival returns this year for its tenth edition, although this time around it looks a little different.
Due to the current restrictions, the festival will be conducted entirely online, but there’s still plenty in it for small business owners in the Borough, who have been some of the hardest hit residents in our area during this pandemic.
Council is once again delighted to be participating in the festival, and our involvement is highlighted by the free online event “Working With Family: Unfiltered”, streaming live on September 8 between 5pm and 6pm.
Hosted by the ever-entertaining Claire Hooper, the evening will feature a variety of guests from around the Bellarine who will chat “unfiltered” about the imbalance of light and shade in our current working environment.
You’ll laugh, pick up some valuable strategies around working with family, and just generally feel good after participating. There’ll be prizes to give away and you’ll be supporting your fellow small business owners in the Borough. Jump on to Council’s website at queenscliffe.vic.gov.au to register your spot.
In more good news, Council has recently completed its vegetation works at the Bunny Woods section of the Point Lonsdale foreshore, after we had to temporarily close the area due to damage caused by makeshift bike tracks. Council contractors and members of the Bellarine Catchment Network planted hundreds of trees, shrubs and groundcovers, and the area is open to the public once more.
To help keep the area beautiful for generations to come, we need everyone to work together. That means dismounting from your bicycle if travelling through the area, sticking to the paths when walking, letting Council know if you notice any further damage, and just taking special care in general. Your vigilance and awareness will help protect the important coastal vegetation in Bunny Woods.
For bike riders, Council is continuing work on finding a site for a new specialised BMX track in the Borough. Officers are preparing some initial concepts and are looking forward to involving bike riders in the design of the new track.
The Victorian Government has recently confirmed that Council elections will continue to go ahead on October 24. As we approach that date, here are some important reminders:
· Check your enrolment details are up to date by visiting the Victorian Electoral Commission’s website at vec.vic.gov.au
If you’re a new non-resident ratepayer or occupier ratepayer, you need to apply to vote this year. Make sure you do so by visiting Council’s website at queenscliffe.vic.gov.au/vote. Applications close for enrolment this Friday (August 28), so get in quick if you haven’t done so already.
Finally, if you’re thinking of running for Council, first make sure to complete Local Government Victoria’s candidate training course, which can also accessed via the Public Notices section of the Borough website.
To all residents, I hope you’re continuing to stay safe and well during the ongoing lockdown period, and let’s continue to do all we can to keep the Borough free of activate coronavirus cases.

Cr Ross Ebbels
Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe