Mozzie money on way

STATE Government yesterday chipped in $45,000 to support Geelong council’s fight against mosquitoes on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville announced the funding to offset the cost of City of Greater Geelong’s program to spray mosquitoes with insecticide.
Two weeks ago councillor Tom O’Connor told the Independent a State Govern-ment funding shortfall and heavy rain had hit the City’s fight against the pests.
Ms Neville said the funding followed discussions with residents and council.
“This year there have been large numbers of mosquitoes in the area, impacting on the everyday life of residents,” Ms Neville said.
Recent heavy rain and two high tides have exacerbated the mosquito problem on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Cr O’Connor said the funding announcement was “sensational”.
The money was “recognition of the inconvenience caus-ed by mosquitoes”, he said.
“Statistically, there’s more (mosquitoes) than there’s ever been and they’re going where there’s urban growth.”
Health experts believe mosquitoes could carry the flesh-eating Bairnsdale ulcer, which has attacked dozens of victims on the peninsula over the past few years.
Council’s mosquito control program involves aerial and ground spraying in hot spots across the peninsula, including State Government-owned land.
But authorities have encouraged residents to clean up pools of stagnant water around theirs home and to cover up and use repellent.