Local sport flourishing in Armstrong Creek

IT has been a rather bleak winter with quite a few cool and wet days, coupled with the regional Victorian COVID lockdowns.

But as we’re out of lockdown again and with vaccination numbers rising sharply, our community is doing the right thing and the spring months ahead look promising.

Local sport, which is often described as one of the backbones of community life, is growing substantially in the Armstrong Creek region. Great to see that senior and junior training and games at the Armstrong United Football Club (Pelicans) are back on, following the easing of restrictions.

Pre-season training has kicked off at the Armstrong Creek Cricket Club (Titans) now that lockdown is over. The Titans’ new committee has been locked in, including president Barry Mills. Congratulations to the new committee members. Good luck also to co-coaches Aaron Morgan and Daniel Maclean, and to Brandon Ross in his role of Director of Cricket, overseeing the senior men’s, women’s and junior sides. We hope to see the Titans have another successful season and continue to grow in 2021-22.

The Armstrong Creek West Community Hub is on track with a Project Working Group developing the detailed designs for the Armstrong Creek West Community Hub for approval. The hub will include Maternal Child Health, a kindergarten and multipurpose community spaces. Construction is set to start next year and finish up in 2023. By the time it’s fully developed, the Armstrong Creek growth area will provide approximately 22,000 homes for between 55,000 to 65,000 people, as well as approximately 20,000 jobs (Council’s Settlement Strategy, August 2020).

Some of the big issues in and around Armstrong Creek is rubbish dumping and keeping our environment clean.

Geelong council is leading a collaborative project to develop a regional waste, resource recovery and reuse hub in the G21 region. All five G21 councils are banding together to make this a reality, following $80,000 in funding support from the Victorian Government.

The recycling crisis has really highlighted the need for us to improve the waste and recycling infrastructure that we have here and minimise our dependency on external markets.

The goal being the elimination of the need for people to dump rubbish, cost reductions for the residential rubbish and recycling bin collection service and the introduction of technologies that improve how recyclables are sorted.

It has never been more important to support your local business.

Businesses are reeling from the last two lockdowns that were just a week apart. Community members can do their bit to support their favourite hospitality and entertainment businesses in Armstrong Creek and surrounds by making a booking. It’s also a great chance to try out a cafe or restaurant that you’ve never been to before.

Finally, two important local Kardinia Ward issues that are occurring.

You might have noticed some big changes underway at the Leisurelink Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Waurn Ponds. A $6 million project has started on replacing the tiled 50-metre swimming pool. The concrete pool shell needs urgent replacing. The works mean the pool, splash park and waterslides are fully closed. The splash park will reopen before the September school holidays, while the pool will open mid-next year.

Council is seeking community feedback on how we can make the much-loved Highton Village an even more enjoyable place to visit. The Village is a thriving area, with a lovely garden character and great shopping and dining options. Community feedback is currently open on an Interim Final Urban Design Framework Plan for the space. It includes a community vision for the Village, so if you enjoy shopping and eating out at Highton Village, please have your say at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/HightonUDF.

So roll on spring, with the sunshine on the way and the air filled with the roar of the old Victa motor mower and accompanying fuel (or the dulcet tones of the new electric motor mower) and the sweet smell of the grass freshly cut.

Cr Bruce Harwood