Councillor Column: Cr Ron Nelson from the City of Greater Geelong, September 3

THIS is my final column for the Armstrong Creek Times before the local government elections in October and it’s safe to say I’ve really enjoyed connecting with residents in this way.
I want to reflect on some of the many highlights in Armstrong Creek over the past three years which I’ve been proud to advocate for as a Kardinia Ward councillor.
Infrastructure
The importance of ensuring new communities have the infrastructure to match population growth isn’t lost on council or the City.
We’ve been proud to open new, state-of-the-art facilities in Armstrong Creek and just as excited to kickstart new projects that the community’s been asking for.
The $15.24 million Armstrong Creek East Community Hub on Central Boulevard has been fantastic for residents after opening in April last year. Council contributed $8 million towards the integrated centre – the largest of its kind in Greater Geelong – which offers classes, multi-use spaces and a changing places facility.
Next door, council provided the majority of funding for the Armstrong Creek East Children’s Centre, which offers a warm and friendly environment for so many young kids and their families.
For the sports nuts – the new $3.6 million pavilion at the Armstrong Creek East Sporting Precinct, also on Central Boulevard, has been thoroughly enjoyed by the Armstrong Creek Pelicans (soccer) and Sharks (Aussie Rules) players and spectators.
Some of the projects on the go include the Armstrong Creek Community Shed and Community Garden at Sovereign Drive Sports Reserve, for which we have concept plans ready. This will become the new home for the Grovedale Men’s Shed, which keeps many older residents connected and engaged.
We’ve also got $1.6 million in the budget to install traffic lights at Boundary Road and Baanyip Boulevard, and align Boundary Road with the
new signals.
A new footpath will be delivered for Burvilles Road, linking the Geelong Lutheran College to the Surf Coast Highway.
School safety
I have fond memories of the Lollipop Lady at my primary school.
Mrs Frith always had a kind word to say and was a friendly face is the sea of students and teachers, but most importantly, she made sure my classmates and I were safe getting to and from school.
Council recognises that crossing supervisors have a vital role to play in the school environment and sees it as a priority to have them in place for new communities from the start of the school year.
Through two of my Urgent Business motions, council has funded crossing supervisors at Armstrong Creek’s St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School and at the nearby Mirripoa Primary School in Mount Duneed.
The cost of these supervisors can be partly funded by the state government; however an interim crossing guard isn’t provided while mandatory pedestrian and vehicle counts are carried out when the school is open.
With traffic volumes increasing as more residents move to the area, I’m pleased council stepped in to ensure hundreds of school children, families and staff are protected.
Dumping
Illegal dumpers have been active in certain areas of Armstrong Creek, which is quite frustrating to see as chair of the Waste Management portfolio.
Deliberately leaving or burying waste is not only a threat to wildlife and the natural environment, but the pollution can impact our health too. It’s also a financial drain, costing ratepayers approximately $800,000 every year.
With several ways to dispose of waste responsibly, there really is never a good excuse.
In May, Council extended the hard waste collection service for another 12 months and expanded it to include mattresses. Residents can now book two free hard waste collections each year at geelongaustralia.com.au/hardwaste – very handy with all this extra time on our hands during lockdown!
You can also drop off excess recycling, home appliances and other items for free at the Resource Recovery Centres in North Geelong and Drysdale.
I encourage you to report dumped rubbish when you spot it at geelongaustralia.com.au, through the Geelong City App, by emailing [email protected] or by phoning customer service on 5272 5272.
Thank you
Finally, a quick note to say thanks to the community members who’ve been in touch with me over the years to raise issues or ask comments.
This is my favourite part of being a councillor and has led to many projects getting up and running.
Stay safe and please look out for each other.

Cr Ron Nelson
Kardinia Ward, City of Greater Geelong