About: james

Great Ocean Road left out of $50 million tourism recovery fund

THERE is a new $50 million fund from the Coalition Government to support nine regions popular with international tourists, but the Great Ocean Road...

Wet spring forecast sparks flooding warning

SPRING is predicted to bring not only more rainfall than usual but also the potential for widespread flooding, and the Victorian State Emergency Service...

Peak bodies agree on Geelong’s most-needed projects

FIVE of the Geelong region's biggest peak bodies have collaborated on a list of specific projects and initiatives the state government should include in...

Most of Victoria’s federal electorate boundaries to be redrawn

THE Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is inviting members of the public to propose changes to the boundaries and names of Victoria’s federal electorates. Population growth...

Regional Victoria will have to wait for COVID Normal

REGIONAL Victorians have lower levels of coronavirus compared to those living in Melbourne and are enjoying lesser restrictions as a result, but will probably...

Builders and plumbers put on notice for non-compliance

THE Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is warning builders and plumbers in the Geelong region to make sure their work is compliant or risk further...

Webinar mulls how to plan for unplanned fire

THE third and final webinar in a series about the future of living in bushfire-prone regions such as the Otways considered how communities could...

A Walk in the Park Geelong goes in a different direction

GEELONG has missed the date slated for the third A Walk in the Park event to raise awareness and funds to support people living...

Distinctly slow: Wait for Statement of Planning Policy goes on

SATURDAY last week marked the one-year anniversary of the Surf Coast being declared a Distinctive Area and Landscape (DAL), but the community is yet...

Campaign urges Torquay drivers to park smart

TORQUAY police have reacted to a spike in thefts in car-related crime in the area by launching an awareness campaign with Neighbourhood Watch (NHW)...

The best signs of spring awarded

THE Surf Coast Shire council has revealed three winners in its Signs of Spring social media competition. People were invited to submit their best spring-inspired...

Council gives go-ahead for more digital transformation

THE Surf Coast Shire council will try to make as many of its business processes entirely digital as it can, following a review of...

Works begin on Swanston Centre upgrade

BUILDING works are now under way to redevelop Barwon Health’s Swanston Centre, paving the way for a new model of care for mental health,...

Reimagining Health grants open

Health promotion foundation VicHealth has announced $2.5 million in new funding to support local organisations to address the immediate health and wellbeing concerns of...

Don’t delay your child’s immunisations

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging parents to book into their usual GP clinic and ensure their children’s routine immunisations...

Nominations close for Surf Coast Shire council election

NOMINATIONS have closed for the Surf Coast Shire council elections, and a large field of candidates have thrown their hat in the ring. Candidates had...

Grants to encourage people to go outside and exercise

Torquay Community House’s (TCH) Let’s Go Outside project has received a $20,000 grant during the second round of the Surf Coast Shire council’s COVID...

Shire moves COVID-19 response to top of its advocacy priorities

THE Surf Coast Shire council has shuffled its list of advocacy priorities following recent developments, with responding to the coronavirus pandemic a new entry...

Candidates declare themselves as council nominations open

MORE candidates for the next Surf Coast Shire council are stepping forward ahead of nominations for the election opening today (Thursday, September 17). Gary Allen...

Falls Festival organiser admits liability for crowd crush in $5.7m settlement

THE organisers of the Falls Festival in Lorne have admitted liability for a crowd crush at the 2016 event and will pay nearly $7...

Shire to enter caretaker period next week

THE Surf Coast Shire council will enter the caretaker period on Tuesday next week as the council election begins. The existing council held its last...

Election race begins

THE local election race is officially on from today (Thursday, September 17), as nominations open for people to stand for council. In the Surf Coast...

HeadtoHelp clinic opens in Geelong

People in the Greater Geelong area experiencing mental ill-health due to the stresses of COVID-19 can now get access to support services at a...

Spike in toddler drowning deaths sparks warning

THERE have been five toddler drowning deaths in Victoria within seven weeks, and water safety authorities are urging active supervision of children at pools,...