Bypass slam
Five local councils have joined forces to demand the State Government tear up its controversial plans for the third stage of Geelong’s bypass.
The councils have written to the Government through their regional alliance group, G21, warning the plan threatens a traffic bottleneck at Waurn Ponds where the bypass would end at traffic lights on the Princes Highway.
Gas shortage
A local Liberal candidate has accused the Bracks Government of “fraud” after a gas supplier revealed a quarter of Barwon Heads homes would miss out on connection.
Michael King said SP AusNet’s plan for connections from next year showed the Government had failed to deliver its 2002 promise of gas for all homes at Barwon Heads.
Spraying starts
Council workers have begun their annual war on mosquitoes with a barrage of aerial spraying and ground assaults in City of Greater Geelong.
Councillor Tom O’Connor said most of the battle was land-based but spraying from the air was also underway.
Cancer symposium
Satellites will broadcast medical experts to Geelong when the city participates in a national symposium on cancer in regional Australia this month.
Breakwater’s Buckley’s Entertainment Centre will be one of 58 venues around Australia to screen the inaugural symposium from Sydney’s Westmead Hospital on September 23.
Seniors save
A new Seniors Sunday Pass will give elderly holders free travel in metropolitan Melbourne and major regional cities.
State Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said other savings with the pass included a $10.80 discount on return travel to Melbourne for senior citizens in Geelong.
Heads skate
Geelong’s council has unveiled Barwon Heads’ Village Park as the site for a skate park set for completion next year.
Mayor Peter McMullin said City Hall would plough an extra $130,000 into the first stage of the facility.
McKellar opening
Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre has opened six new wings as a part of a $97 million redevelopment.
The new facilities at the regional aged care and rehabilitation facility include Wallace Lodge, named after a doctor who helped establish Geelong’s first home for the elderly.
Bus boost
Extra bus services will begin running from Torquay and Leopold on Sunday, State Government has announced.
The Government said the extra services would also connect Torquay and Leopold with the rest of the bus network in Geelong and to upgraded rail services to Melbourne.
