Listening posts for budget questions

(Supplied)

The community will have the chance to ask its local councillors questions about the City of Greater Geelong’s budget over the next two weekends.

The first round of councillor listening post sessions for 2022 will take place on May 7 and May 14.

On Saturday, May 7 Bellarine Ward councillors will be outside the Drysdale Uniting Church on High Street from 10-11.30am, while Kardinia Ward councillors will be outside Bendigo Bank at Highton Village from 10.30-11.30am.

The following weekend, on Saturday, May 14, Windermere Ward councillors will be available at Lara Centreway from 10.30-11.30am and the Corio Village customer service centre from 12-1pm.

Brownbill Ward councillors will also be available on May 14 outside the Geelong West Town Hall on Pakington Street from 10.30-11.30am and at Newcomb Central Shopping Centre from 12-1pm.

Councillors will be able to chat informally about the funding proposed for ward-specific projects, as well as other topics of interest.

Deputy mayor Trent Sullivan said last year’s listening posts were a success.

“These listening posts allow us to fully understand the issues that matter most to residents and are part of our commitment to make ourselves more accessible to the community,” he said.

Councillor Anthony Aitken said connecting to the community was vital to being an effective councillor.

“It’s so important for us to keep our ears to the ground and understand the specific issues that affect each ward,” Cr Aitken said.

“We encourage community members to join us and ask us questions about the draft budget and proposed asset sales, and raise any ideas or issues.”