$4.6b call
Geelong is part of a push for a $4.6 billion funding injection into regional roads and public transport.
Regional Cities Victoria, of which Geelong is the largest member, said governments must spend the money over the next five years to support a “more thriving, diverse and economically sustainable Victoria”.
Surgery cuts
A $25 million funding increase will help carve further inroads into surgery waiting lists at Geelong Hospital, Premier Denis Napthine has announced.
He said the cash boost for operational purposes would lift the hospital’s annual funding to $421 million.
Bodies merge
Two of the region’s leading youth and disability services providers have agree to a merger.
The boards of Barwon Youth and Glastonbury Community Services said a working party would “explore the immediate and longer-term efficiencies” of the merger, which they described as a “positive development”.
Geelong branded
Geelong must “brand” itself to attract investors and new residents, according to business and government representatives based in the city.
Geelong’s council is leading work on the Brand Geelong project, which has about $80,000 in funding contributions for a “strategy that sells the region to the world”.
Hockey boost
“Bigger” hockey tournaments are set for Geelong after the official opening of a new $1.9 million pitch at Corio’s Stead Park, according to Victorian Sport and Recreation Minister Damian Drum.
He said the upgrade to a dual-pitch hockey centre gave the region’s “aspiring Hockeyroos and Kookaburras…the prefect venue to develop their skills”.
Museum award
A project helping dementia sufferers reminisce has won a state award for Geelong’s National Wool Museum.
The Museums Australia (Victoria) Award for Medium Museums was in response to Reminiscence Cottage, which created an “immersive space” for visitors with dementia to recount fading memories.
Gordon expenses
A story in last week’s Independent about an Auditor-General report on Gordon Institute of TAFE’s financial risk rising included a sentence incorrectly stating the institute’s expenses increased in 2012/2103.
The sentence should have said the expenses decreased.
