Liberals pledge vote on Bellarine council. Have your say

Alex de Vos
BELLARINE Peninsula residents will get their own council if they want it, Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu pledged this week.
The Liberal party has promised to give residents a vote on whether they want a new Bellarine Peninsula municipality if it wins government at the November state election.
Liberal candidate for Bellarine Don Gibson said the announcement marked a great day for the Bellarine Peninsula,” he said.
“City of Greater Geelong has failed the Bellarine Peninsula.
“For too long ratepayers have had to pay soaring rates, while service delivery levels decline.
“The Labor dominated Geelong council is a failure,” Mr Gibson said.
“It’s plagued by scandal and is too busy fighting among itself – not for the people of Geelong and Bellarine,” Mr Gibson said.
The peninsula was not properly represented on issues including Clifton Springs’ Dell and foreshore, he said.
“I’ve also heard complaints about footpaths in Ocean Grove not being made and when they are made, they’re not done properly.”
Mr Gibson said if the vote was successful, legislation would be drafted and submitted to parliament and new councillors would be elected in the next local government elections.
Mr Gibson said Borough of Queenscliffe and Leopold would probably be included in a new municipality.
“Residents can vote on whether they want to be included in the shire or not,” he said.
Drysdale and Clifton Springs Community Association president Wayne Elliott said he would need more information about the proposal before he could say whether he would support a new shire.
“It would be important the needs of the community on the peninsula are recognised,” Mr Elliott said.