Talking and listening – then action

LISTENING to the community – and speaking up to advocate for those who need your help – is key to the role of being a councillor.

But after the talking and listening’s done – there’s got to be action.

The community doesn’t just want to be heard; they want council to use what they’ve been told, to improve the facilities and services in their local area.

At Aldershot Reserve, in St Albans Park, the conversion of the community’s needs into on-ground improvements has been a while coming.

When I was elected to Council last year, I committed to ensure that Geelong’s eastern suburbs would have a strong and passionate representative.

I’m really pleased that almost three years after a masterplan for the reserve was approved, work is about to begin on one of the community’s biggest wishes for the space.

A fenced dog park will be created at Aldershot Reserve, with City officers now finalising the detailed designs ahead of construction across autumn and winter.

It will include separate active and passive dog spaces, as well as paths, park furniture, tree planting and landscaping.

Council has already created fenced dog parks in Stead Park (Corio) and along the Barwon River, in Belmont, which have proven popular destinations for residents outside of the immediate area.

It’s exciting to consider that eastern Geelong residents will soon have their own facility, which will provide great physical and social opportunities for dogs and their owners.

I’d like to thank Council for continuing to seek funding opportunities for this project.

I’d also like to thank local Federal MP and Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, and the Federal Government for its investment in this project.

The federal government is providing $852,133, via the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, to convert the plans into reality.

In conjunction with this, Council is also preparing to upgrade the playground within Aldershot Reserve.

Across drop-in sessions, school workshops and online surveys, officers recently gathered more than 700 community views about the potential improvements to the playground.

The high volume of responses highlights how important this project is to the community.

Among these, were 28 ideas from children, who are clearly the ones who will benefit the most from a new play space.

All these responses are being reviewed, with officers to use the information to come up with a draft concept plan.

This plan should hopefully be released in the coming months, and I’m keen for residents to have a look and provide their feedback.

I’ll be sure to advise you once those plans are released.

And in exciting news, there is more to come for residents, clubs, and groups of the east.

I’m looking forward to being able to make more funding announcements for eastern Geelong groups and projects in the coming weeks.

Our annual Women in Community Life Awards celebrate local women for their achievements and achievements and their influence in the Geelong region and beyond.

Nominations for the seven categories in the 2024 awards close soon, so please consider putting forward people who are positively shaping our communities, clubs, businesses or organisations.

Importantly these awards provide the opportunity to recognise women who are often ‘unsung’ – from the quiet volunteer to the inspiring leader who are working to create an equal society in our Greater Geelong community.

Head to geelongaustralia.com.au/wiclawards and submit your nominations before they close on Monday, February 5.

Cr Melissa Cadwell

Brownbill Ward, City of Greater Geelong