2020 Year in Review: January-March

JANUARY 2: A GROUP of Deakin medical students completed a ride across the country to raise funds for charity that researches and treats mental illness. The 12 students covered 3,300km riding from Geelong to Fremantle over the course of 16 days. Their efforts helped raise more than $55,000 for the Black Dog Institute, with donations still coming in.

JANUARY 9: THE bushfires devastating eastern Victoria and New South Wales thankfully had not appeared in the Geelong region, but authorities warned people not to be complacent. There were a handful of fires in the Otways recently, but all were small and were brought under control quickly.

JANUARY 16: IT HAD been three months since the timeline for Geelong’s City Deal was locked in, and the City of Greater Geelong’s mayor hoped for faster progress on the long-awaited convention centre. The implementation plan for the $370 million, 10-year deal between local, Victorian and federal governments was officially launched on October 8. There are more than a dozen commitments in the Geelong City Deal with about 30 separate elements to be completed.

JANUARY 23: THE Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race drew near, and spectators prepared to see the agony on the faces of the world’s best cyclists as they traded blows up the steep Challambra Climb, made famous by the 2010 UCI Road World Championships.

JANUARY 30: THE City of Greater Geelong’s draft Stormwater Services Strategy 2020-30 outlined a 10-year approach to reduce dangerous flooding and stormwater pollution. The strategy, which opened for public comment, highlighted the importance of the city’s network, which is valued at more than $600 million. Better use of this resource could direct more stormwater to parks, streets and gardens while preserving drinking water supplies.

FEBRUARY 6: THE sixth edition of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race was held in wild weather conditions, with the male and female riders battling extreme heat, pouring rain and strong winds across the four days of competition. After the female riders enjoyed the Welcome Wave reception in Fairhaven, the cycling action began amid sweltering heat with the inaugural Race Torquay.

FEBRUARY 13: THE streets of Geelong’s CBD were illuminated with every colour of the rainbow on February 9 when a swarm of people turned out for the Geelong Rainbow Festival’s Pride March. More than 2,000 attended to show their support for the region’s LGBTIQ+ community, with many throwing on their brightest apparel for the occasion.

FEBRUARY 20: THE impact of lower tourism numbers due to the coronavirus travel ban began to be felt across the Geelong region, and Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker wanted the Coalition to release an economic support package for affected small tourism operators, small businesses and workers. The travel ban on visitors from China was extended to February 22.

FEBRUARY 27: A NEW program made it easier for businesses to care for the Port Phillip and Corio Bays, empowering them to take an active role in reducing waste and caring for their environment. Businesses Caring For Our Bays was developed and delivered through a partnership with Caring for our Bays and Connected to Port Phillip. Registered businesses are endorsed, advertised and celebrated through the BCFOB website, social media and at events in order to promote their achievements and increase their environmental profile.

MARCH 5: THE City of Greater Geelong council again pushed back making a decision o n whether a housing development in Waurn Ponds would go ahead. Amendment C372 proposes to rezone the land north of the train line, west of Ghazeepore Road, east of Anglesea Road and south of Hams Road from farming to general residential, to create a development with 258 residential lots, 21 larger interface lots, two medium density sites and a creek reserve.

MARCH 12: LOCAL radio stations K rock and bay 93.9 aimed to help local businesses in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast by launching the “Store with a Door” campaign. The campaign encouraged shoppers to look locally rather than looking online. The radio stations promoted the campaign on air, as well as online and on digital billboards. Geelong Broadcasters general manager Andy Mather said he felt the campaign could make a significant difference.

MARCH 19: BUSINESSES across Geelong were keeping their doors open during the coronavirus pandemic, with traders doing what they could to adapt to the changing conditions and directives from the state and federal governments. Tourism bodies were also encouraging businesses to band together as an industry and support each other.

MARCH 26: THE City of Greater Geelong council continued to meet but the public were not be able to attend in person, as part of the city’s response to reduce the spread of coronavirus. The city said its decision was part of a wider suite of measures aimed at supporting the health of the community, staff and volunteers and protecting the provision of the city’s critical services. Community Focus Council Meetings, which are normally held at venues throughout the municipality on the second Tuesday of the month, were moved to City Hall to enable them to be livestreamed.