Crash charges
A 19-year-old who crashed an allegedly stolen car into another motorist faces Geelong court on more than a dozen charges.
Police charged the man with offences ranging from endangering life to aggravated burglary and possessing ice after he tried to flee the crash, which left him and the other driver with non-life threatening injuries.
Ferry increase
Port Phillip Ferries has reported an increase in year-on-year patronage after completing its second 12-month period operating from Portarlington, according to marketing and business cooridinator Connie Trathen.
The ferry’s patronage was “not the fastest-growing sector” but was at least helping promote the service to other potential commuters, she told Bellarine Ferry Group.
Pile loss
City Hall has lost its bid to strip planning permission for a Lara recycling site deemed a “very high risk location” because of its 12-metre-high pile of waste.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal rejected City Hall’s application to cancel the site’s permit, instead ordering operator C&D Recycling to stop collecting additional waste and to contain the pile within its specified boundaries.
Novotel upgrade
A $3.5 million renovation will spruce up all 109 rooms in Geelong’s waterfront Novotel hotel, its owner has announced.
The upgrade of the 17-year-old property would help maintain its status as “the best hotel in Geelong”, said ErdiGroup chief Ricky Jeffs.
Safety urged
Local drivers should take extra care when “hitting the road” this Queen’s Birthday long weekend, Geelong’s TAC headquarters has advised.
The TAC urged drivers to make use of “rest stop” sites along popular travelling routes around the state while also remaining vigilant for “changing conditions” across the weekend.
Crackdown ‘working’
A month-long crackdown on anti-social behaviour at Lara’s skate park has led to a “noticeable change in behaviours and attitudes”, according to police.
Feedback indicated “things have improved in the area” even though “large numbers” of youths were still using the skate park, police posted on social media this week.
Nolan exhibition
Geelong Gallery has secured the only Victorian exhibition of Sidney Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly paintings when they go on a national tour next year.
National Gallery of Australia confirmed Geelong’s exhibition would run from 1 March to 26 May as the entire collection went on the road for the first time in 15 years.
