Representing your views to state government

AS A COUNCILLOR, advocating for the needs of Greater Geelong is my number one priority to ensure our community’s voice is heard.

That’s why I have written two letters to ministers on behalf of the Hamlyn Heights ward and wider Geelong community addressing social and safety concerns.

I have frequently heard the concerns of the community around the lack of functioning street lights on Ballarat Road heading up the hill from Anakie Road towards Rollins Road.

As I regularly use this road myself, I completely understand – it has been poorly lit for too long and it poses a serious risk to all road users, pedestrians and the broader community.

In particular, the busy intersection of Ballarat Road and Rollins Road is a real danger.

I share residents’ concerns that it is only a matter of time before a major crash or fatality occurs, especially with the traffic volumes using that road each day coming to and from the Geelong Ring Road.

It’s also the first impression some people have of our city as they drive in.

As a road managed by the Victorian Government, Council can’t directly fix the problem. However, this concern has been raised with the State Government and VicRoads for almost two years now.

Some of these issues even began over three years ago!

We have called for the lighting repairs to be prioritised in a letter to the Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne.

In addition, we call for temporary lighting to be installed at the Rollins Road intersection, and, as an interim solution, a temporary electronic sign to warn people about the dangerous conditions ahead.

We have also asked the Minister about the Anakie Road exit of the Geelong Ring Road in Lovely Banks, which has the same lighting issue.

Finally, we have asked for the faded line markings to be repainted at these intersections.

We hope the Victorian Government will give these vital safety upgrades urgent priority.

Elsewhere, I am advocating on behalf of residents on social issues where the community has shown initiative in petitioning for a locality name change.

Last month, I wrote to Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, requesting support to rename an area in lower Highton to ‘Queens Park’.

Council received a petition in 2022 with 460 signatures in favour of the name change.

We understand that many residents commonly refer to the area as Queens Park, with the action group Future Residents of Queens Park presenting the petition.

The proposed area affects approximately 643 residents and is bordered by the Barwon River, Queens Park Golf Course and Montpellier Basins.

The purpose of the proposal was to give the area its own identity, reclaim the history of the original Geelong zoning and empower ratepayers to have a more direct impact on the local area.

The Mayor and I co-signed the letter to the Planning Minister, requesting assistance to execute this change with Geographic Names Victoria.

We are very eager to undertake community consultation with the impacted community to ensure this name change would be agreeable to a majority of affected residents.

So, whether it’s a safety or social concern, I am always striving to advocate on behalf of our community’s needs.

As always, I am happy to speak to anyone on Council-related matters. Please see my contact details – phone 0455 532 006, email [email protected]

Cr Eddy Kontelj

Hamlyn Heights Ward,

City of Greater Geelong