Laneway links
Council has endorsed its action plan to link laneways and properties to major shopping centres. The Laneways Action Plan identifies new laneways connections that will increase pedestrian access throughout central Geelong.
Possible new public laneways and links identified include Dennys Place to Malop Street, Ryrie Street to Market Street, Market Street to Little Myers Street and Aitchison Place laneway.
Healthy boost
Deakin University has welcomed $8m in grants funds from the National Health and Medical Research Council to develop world-leading health research.
Two new research centres will advance healthy diets through food retail research and practice, as well develop new therapies for the most common psychiatric disorders.
Pick a winner
Geelong residents aged 16 and over can now vote for their favourite project ideas to make their community a better place to live.
More than 40 local Pick My Project ideas are vying for funding between $20,000 and $200,000. Voting is open until 5pm, Monday 17 September . For more information, visit christinecouzens.com or pickmyproject.vic.gov.au.
Breaking ground
A legally enforceable remediation plan to protect the health of key waterways affected from over extraction of groundwater from the Barwon Downs borefield has been backed by Otways Landcare group LAWROC.
Vice president Malcolm Gardiner said wide community representation of views along the Barwon River catchment is key to the success of the Southern Rural Water’s Community Reference Group.
Owners on leash
Dog owners must have a leash in their possession at all times as well as a means to pick up and dispose of dog dropping under the City’s new Dog Controls in Public Places Policy.
The City will also audit its bins and signs, provide more educational programs and increase ranger patrols and enforcement to ensure public safety.
Trial takes off
A trial of new technology to help Victorians seriously injured in road accidents live independently is underway as part of a partnership between the Transport Accident Commission and Deakin University.
Sofihub uses small sensors in the home to monitor a person’s daily routing and can detect anomalies like forgotten medication, and is also being trialled in Geelong’s aged care sector.
Guilty plea
A drunken thug has pleaded guilty to brawling at Geelong’s Home House nightclub and breaching his exclusion order despite being banned from the city’s licensed venues for two years over his part in a gang-bashing in June.
Appearing in Geelong Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, the 23-year-old man was ordered to do 120 hours of community work as part of a community corrections order after being fined by police for his drunk and riotous behaviour.
