Whale lost
Hopes have faded for a whale sighted entangled in rope off Barwon Heads after emergency services called off a mission to save the animal.
State officials cited “deteriorating weather conditions” for postponing the rescue attempt on Saturday as gusty winds and 1.5-metre waves whipped the search area.
Facility fought
A foundation that lost a bid for housing 16 mentally ill people at Thomson in 2016 amid public opposition has run into the same obstacle at Highton.
Haven Foundation’s similar-size proposal has alarmed residents, who have expressed safety concerns for households and a school near the proposed Highton site.
Historic sale
Belmont’s historic Kardinia House is set for “once-in-a-lifetime transformation” as welfare agency GenU seeks to sell the property, according to its agent.
The house and its residentially-zoned 1.7-hectare riverfront site were “primed for restoration or development”, said Colliers International’s Jonathon Lumsden.
Storages rise
The region’s water storages have stopped falling after recording 77mm of rain in the seven days to Tuesday, according to official measurements.
Barwon Water recorded a .3 per cent increase in the storages this week, with the overall capacity level of 33 per cent set to climb higher following further rain on Wednesday and Thursday morning.
Rezoning plan
Builders could turn a rural-living zone in central Drysdale into suburban housing after councillors this week agreed to consider rezoning the site.
City Hall said the land between Jetty and Central Rds and Thomas and Wyndham Sts was earmarked for redevelopment “as far back as 1992” given its proximity to urban and public amenities.
Surfers gather
Some of Australia’s best Aboriginal surfers have gathered at Bells Beach for an Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles.
Bells was a fitting host of the titles as a “sacred area” for the local Wadawurrung people, said Surfing Australia chief executive officer Adam Robertson.
Borough retained
Victoria’s smallest council should remain free of wards, according to a Victorian Electoral Commission report on Borough of Queenscliffe.
The commission also recommended to the Local Government Minister this week that the borough should retain its allocation of five councillors.
Naval workshop
About 300 Australian and international “experts” have met in Geelong to workshop ideas for developing Australia’s naval ship-building workforce.
The inaugural Navy, Industry and Academia Training Conference “big-idea pitching and presentations” over two days at Deakin University’s Waterfront campus, organisers said.
Men wanted
Two men wanted for recklessly causing injury are on the run somewhere in Geelong, according to police social media.
Police posted images of Bryce Artis and Kur Anok this week, saying they were known to frequent the Anglesea and Highton areas respectively.
