{"id":134589,"date":"2024-05-10T04:35:52","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T18:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=134589"},"modified":"2024-05-09T17:47:30","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T07:47:30","slug":"committee-for-lorne-lorne-and-district-mens-shed-avalon-precinct-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/committee-for-lorne-lorne-and-district-mens-shed-avalon-precinct-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"Committee for Lorne: Lorne and District Mens Shed Avalon Precinct Visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m sure most of us have driven past the Avalon precinct and thought to ourselves what happens there? \u00a0There are the big hangar sheds, recently new distribution centres and manufacturing facilities that can be seen from the road, with Jetstar and, until very recently, Bonza flights taking off and landing, but no more Qantas 747s coming in and taking off immediately.<\/p>\n

So, what really is happening within this precinct which is within the Greater Geelong and West Melbourne region and close to the Surf Coast Shire?<\/p>\n

Late last year, 20 Shedders from the Lorne and District Mens Shed were provided with the opportunity to get an overview of the history, what’s happening at the moment and more importantly, a vision for the future.<\/p>\n

One Shedder said to me after the visit that he had been on many tours of facilities, seen PowerPoint presentations but they have never been delivered by people as passionate as Dave Moreland and Matt Collins. \u00a0This they did on the Tuesday and a day later, they had the official opening of the new Australia Post facility with many heavy weight dignitaries in attendance.<\/p>\n

I will try to set out some of the facts that we learned. \u00a0There was so much information to absorb that I had to go and visit a few websites to confirm the facts.<\/p>\n

The Avalon airport was established in 1950 as a defence facility. The big hangars that are still there were used for maintenance.<\/p>\n

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Avalon around 1997<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Avalon 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

In 1997, the Fox Group was granted a 99 year lease of the 2,000 hectare site (a Shedder said that\u2019s 5,000 acres) and Linfox would continue to provide maintenance facilities. \u00a0Lindsay\u2019s initial vision was to process fresh produce for export to Asia. \u00a0This would provide great benefits to the region especially given the close proximity to the Victorian food bowl and fresh produce would be in Asia within 24 hours. \u00a0There would have been many hurdles to overcome but that had never stopped Linfox in the past. \u00a0Unfortunately. It did not happen, but the Linfox philosophy is never to give up and I am sure that it will occur in the future.<\/p>\n

Up until 2014 Qantas continued to do their maintenance at Avalon.<\/p>\n

The Domestic airport developed in 2004 especially servicing Jetstar flights with future plans to develop as an International Airport. \u00a0Agreement was reached with Air Asia with a contractual obligation that there must be an international passenger terminal operating within six months. \u00a0This was achieved, with no time to spare. \u00a0I expect there would not be too many organisations that could achieve this. \u00a0It\u2019s the \u201cCan do\u201d Linfox culture.<\/p>\n

The airport was and still is handling freight for big events. \u00a0The F1 Grand Prix, V8 Supercars and Superbikes. \u00a0We were told they would be handling the Taylor Swift concert equipment.<\/p>\n

Then came COVID. \u00a0The Airport basically had to close and is now once more building up relationships with airlines. \u00a0Jetstar flies domestically and it looks like there will be an international airline in the future. \u00a0Although the terminals look sparse compared to the big capital city terminals, they have the most up to date security equipment and check in facilities and the buildings have been designed to allow growth.<\/p>\n

Avalon Airport has a 60 km catchment population of 3.3m, greater than many Australian capital cities and with some modest investment in rail, there could be a train to the Airport. \u00a0(Who knows if Tullamarine will ever achieve rail!) \u00a0The Avalon team is working hard to get a commitment from Government and is prepared to partially fund this rail link. \u00a0Land has been set aside. \u00a0It would be great for us in the Geelong and Southwest of Victoria Regions with more flights. \u00a0Rail access would also provide an excellent alternative to Melbourne travellers. \u00a0A new East \u2013 West runway is proposed in the Avalon Precinct Master Plan. \u00a0The airport has no curfew and can operate 24 hrs.<\/p>\n

Now Avalon is much more than an airport and creates great diverse opportunities. In the prior three years major distribution Centres have been built by Linfox.<\/p>\n

Cotton-On. \u00a0A local Geelong business with 1,500 stores in 18 countries, having committed to a 45,000 sqm Distribution Centre.<\/p>\n

Petstock \u2013 30,000 sqm Distribution Centre.<\/p>\n

Australia Post Parcel Facility \u2013 14,000 sqm with automated sorting equipment. \u00a0This was opened two days after our tour. \u00a0Also, Cotton-On and Australia Post have entered into agreement for handling e-commerce freight deliveries. \u00a0Visionary by both organisations.<\/p>\n

Other Distribution Centres are in the pipeline and the old hangars are still in use.<\/p>\n

Also, within the precinct area, Hanwha Defence Australia (subsidiary of Hanwha Aerospace \u2013 South Korea) is building a massive manufacturing centre to build Armoured Vehicles (LAND 8116) and future Defence Vehicle fleets. \u00a0I read a $270m development investment. \u00a0This is manufacturing returning to the Geelong Region.<\/p>\n

The Fox Vision is never ending: a Motor Sport track (potentially capable of handling the F1 Grand Prix), upgraded safety for spectators attending the Airshow, a hotel, retail and support infrastructure such as Day Care centres given there is projected to be up to 6,000 employees (currently 2,000) in the future. \u00a0The Vision includes a site that will have has access to air, road networks, sea (Port of Geelong and Bay West in the future) and rail. \u00a0This is unique. \u00a0This is not a dream, but a documented plan. \u00a0We as Shedders may not see it all in our lifetime, but it will happen.<\/p>\n

With what\u2019s happening in Geelong and the Surf Coast, we are certainly lucky to be living in a great part of Australia and we and our families will be beneficiaries.<\/p>\n

I think the remarkable part of this Vision and investment is that it will create wealth for the Geelong Region and Victoria. \u00a0It is clear that The Fox Group know how to invest for future generations and our country.<\/p>\n

Many thanks to the Bendigo Community Bank who provided the bus and driver – Rob Cameron (Development Manager) who I know enjoyed the opportunity to be part of our group.<\/p>\n

Just to summarise using the words from an email from one Shedder: \u201cI found it sensational. insightful, interesting & innovative<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

A huge thank you to the Avalon Team and the Fox Family for allowing us to visit. It\u2019s the third visit the Fox Family have arranged for the Lorne Mens Shed and hopefully we may get another opportunity in the future.<\/p>\n

David Worth<\/em><\/p>\n

Member of the Lorne Men\u2019s Shed<\/em><\/p>\n

A word from the chairman<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The changes made by the state government to the ward boundaries for the October 2024 Surf Coast Shire council elections are not in-line with the Lorne community\u2019s preferred option, that being, single councillor wards. In the state, thirty municipalities were granted single ward\/single councillor status.<\/p>\n

The names for the new wards are Otway Range Ward, Torquay Ward and Winchelsea Ward with each ward being represented by three councillors.\u00a0 Lorne is in the Otway Range ward which also includes Deans Marsh, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea and extends to Jan Juc.<\/p>\n

It is currently the feeling that it will be difficult to elect a Lorne Ward based councillor given the larger number of electors in the Otway ward.\u00a0 The quota needed to be elected will deter potential candidates.<\/p>\n

I do not believe that this will be the case for the following reasons:<\/p>\n

Firstly, in the period 2004 \u2013 2012 the Surf Coast Shire was unwarded.\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0In the 2004 election, Libby Mears from Aireys Inlet was elected.\u00a0 Then in the 2008 election three councillors were elected from Aireys Inlet; Libby Coker, Libby Mears and Simon Northeast.\u00a0 It can be done.<\/p>\n

Secondly, by planning for a strategic preference deal, at least three candidates with aligned values, aiming for common outcomes, a Lorne Ward candidate can be elected.<\/p>\n

Thirdly, within the existing Lorne Ward we have the residents with the drive, talent and resources to ensure that a candidate is successful, and<\/p>\n

Lastly, my faith in the Lorne community\u2019s ability to meet challenges.<\/p>\n

There will be a range of information sessions available for aspiring candidates in the realigned wards. Candidate nominations will open on 19 September and close at noon on 24 September.<\/p>\n

The Surf Coast Shire Council is running a series of candidate information sessions for anyone thinking about standing for the Council.<\/p>\n

Candidate information session:<\/strong><\/p>\n