CONSTRUCTION has begun on stage 2 of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre \u2013 what a way to cap off a fantastic 2025!<\/p>\n
Earlier this week I joined Member for Corangamite Libby Coker, Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant and fellow Councillor Rowan Story to celebrate this important milestone for our community.<\/p>\n
Many people in our community have worked towards this project, including residents who advocated passionately for a year-round pool in the north Bellarine.<\/p>\n
The new indoor facility will include a 25-metre pool, a warm water pool, gym, caf\u00e9, and accessible ramps and change rooms, so everyone can enjoy the water safely and comfortably.<\/p>\n
The Australian and Victorian governments provided $20 million each for the project, with the City of Greater Geelong contributing another $300,000.<\/p>\n
I can’t wait to see this pool benefit both the Leopold and Murradoc ward communities when it opens in 2027.<\/p>\n
Another local project I’m proud of this year is the upgrade of Leopold Memorial Reserve, thanks to a $3.25 million Australian Government investment.<\/p>\n
The City managed this project, upgrading the car park with new asphalt and drainage, and building a new changeroom at oval two, giving cricket and football players modern facilities that match the needs of our growing community.<\/p>\n
The multipurpose courts now have new fencing, and we’ve renewed the court surfaces, installed new sports lighting and built a new netball warm up court.<\/p>\n
And in great news for the community, savings we made during these upgrades will allow us to complete further works.<\/p>\n
Planning is now underway for a major upgrade of the cricket nets, CCTV for the reserve and new AFL-compliant shelters and a new electronic scoreboard at oval 1, with completion anticipated for mid-2026.<\/p>\n
Across Greater Geelong, I’m proud of the work we’ve done in 2025 to support our region’s economic development, tourism and major events.<\/p>\n
In the 2024-25 financial year, 12 events sponsored by Geelong Major Events generated $93 million for our local economy and together attracted almost half a million spectators and participants.<\/p>\n
The City of Greater Geelong invested $1.5 million in these events \u2013 that’s a return on investment of 56:1.<\/p>\n
As a representative on the Geelong Major Events, and Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine committees, I was thrilled to read these figures.<\/p>\n
I look forward to the Bellarine Peninsula again featuring prominently in several world-class major events next year, including the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, the National Celtic Festival and the Victorian Open.<\/p>\n
There were plenty more highlights throughout 2025.<\/p>\n
The inaugural ROAM Geelong transformed our cultural precinct into a kaleidoscope of art and colour, attracting 16,000 attendees, while the Geelong City Market has proved a resounding success, drawing thousands into our CBD and boosting local trade every Saturday.<\/p>\n
I was pleased in November to join our Regional Export Roadshow, which connected our local businesses to global markets, and attend the annual Australia-New Zealand Creative Cities Network Meeting in March, strengthening regional ties and bolstering our reputation as Australia’s first City of Design.<\/p>\n
As 2025 draws to a close, enjoy the festive season, stay safe and be kind to one another \u2013 I can’t wait to see you all again for another exciting year in 2026.<\/p>\n
Merry Christmas and a happy new year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CONSTRUCTION has begun on stage 2 of the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre \u2013 what a way to cap off a fantastic 2025! Earlier this week I joined Member for Corangamite Libby Coker, Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant and fellow Councillor Rowan Story to celebrate this important milestone for our community. Many people in our community […]<\/p>\n