New child and family centre among Bellarine’s budget wins

A NEW child and family centre at Drysdale is among Bellarine projects included in the City of Greater Geelong’s 2018-19 budget, which was released on Tuesday.

Other projects in the $78 million devoted to community facilities and infrastructure include the completion of stage 2 of the Leopold Community Hub and a new waste disposal cell at Drysdale landfill.

The budget also proposes spending $3.6 million on priorities identified by the community throughout the Council Plan process, which includes a master plan of Greater Geelong and Bellarine Shared Trails and preservation of rural and coastal environs.

The city will also deliver the final drawings and approvals for an Underwater Sculpture Park on the Bellarine.

The city made the proposed Council Plan and Budget available for public inspection at a special meeting on Tuesday night, and started a 28-day public consultation period during which submissions are invited.

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood said the Council Plan 2018-22 had a very heavy community fingerprint upon it.

“As councillors, we have listened to the ideas and concerns of our community and this document is a genuine reflection of their view.

“The Council Plan 2018-22 is informed by the community’s long-term vision for a clever and creative region and sets out achievable and deliverable priorities to help us take steps towards that long-term vision.”

Other highlights include a $3 million forward commitment to landscaping and parklands in the public realm surrounding the future Convention Centre, as well as $3.4 million on the revitalisation of central Geelong including smart city design features through improvements to lighting and CCTV.

“Residents will be pleased to see the hard rubbish collection that so many have requested will start on a trial basis in the next financial year,” Mr Harwood said.

Public submissions on the proposed Council Plan 2018-22 and Budget 2018-19 close at 5pm on May 29. A panel will be convened to consider submissions and to make any necessary recommendations for changes to the proposed Council Plan and budget, which will both be considered for adoption at a council meeting on June 26.

Read the proposed Council Plan and budget at geelongaustralia.com.au/yoursay.