News
Shire News
For some time treated water has been discharged into Bruces Creek from the Bannockburn sewerage treatment plant.
This discharge is being carried out under EPA approval. Barwon Water have advised that this discharge was essential due to the wet weather this year, increased inflows and a reduction in irrigation and recycled water use resulting in its winter storage lagoon reaching capacity.
Discharges are continuing on an ‘as required’ basis. Water quality is being monitored at Pilloud Bridge and below the junction of Bruces Creek with the Barwon River.
Barwon Water has advised Council that it is preparing to upgrade the Bannockburn water reclamation plant. This will include constructing a new treatment and storage lagoon, a pump station and pipework to connect the new lagoons to the existing plant. Barwon Water expects to complete these works in July next year.
Long term plans are in place by Barwon Water for a further enlargement of the treatment and storage lagoons depending on the population growth in Bannockburn.
Bannockburn Recreation Stadium
The YMCA Geelong has commenced the management and operation of the Bannockburn Community Stadium and the new Bannockburn Recreation Centre. YMCA Geelong and Council are working on continuing and developing strong partnerships with the users, the Bannockburn Primary School and the community.
The existing indoor stadium, opened by Premier Kennett in February 1999, will continue to operate and its Committee of Management will be restructured as a users’ advisory committee for both the facilities.
I wish to record my gratitude to all those who have given their time to serve on the outgoing Committee of Management over the last 13 years. The School Principals, Helen Oates and Rob Nelson, have been quite outstanding in their support and the personal time they have devoted to the Community Stadium Committee. Julie Rieck has been treasurer throughout and done an excellent job in managing the stadium’s finances.
The outgoing Committee has been blessed by several excellent Chairs who have provided leadership and continuity – these have been Tony McMeel, Rob Turnley, Alex Bajc, Ron Watt, and Bronwyn Davie. Bronwyn Davie has led the team through setting up the new arrangements and I thank her especially for efforts especially. Many other people have served on the Committee of Management and I can not list them all here. I thank them for their service to their sporting clubs and to the community.
Bannockburn Community and Cultural Hub
The Bannockburn Community and Cultural Hub project is 80% complete. Due to the contractor’s failure to complete the work, Council has followed ‘due process’ to take management of the work out of the contractor’s hands. Council has completed an audit of incomplete work and is calling for expressions of interest to complete the project.
Council staff are working hard to keep the project moving ahead and limit any further delays. I anticipate that the facility and its important services will be online at the end of March.
Council has paid the contractor for all works satisfactorily completed and is not holding any money back that would prevent the contractor paying its sub-contractors.
Bannockburn Family Services Centre
The following health and wellbeing services are available at the Bannockburn Family Services Centre for the wellbeing of our community:
• Hearing clinic Fiona Sutherland from Waurn Ponds Hearing Clinic is now available every second Friday morning.
• Private Counselling Sarah Nevile-Lavingdale provides a professional counselling service by appointment.
• Dietician Felicity Williams from Ballarat Community Health, provides nutrition assessment and advice to people primarily aged 65 years and older.
• Podiatry Clinic Eddie Shang from Barwon Health is available by appointment most Thursdays or Fridays.
• Community Health Nurse Carol Gaw from Barwon health provides community health nurse services Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week. Carol can support you in many areas including smoking cessation and better health self management.
• Speech Pathology Merryn Philpott from Barwon Health has recently joined the team and is available on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. This service is for preschool children aged 0 to 6 years (prior to school entry) residing in Bannockburn and surrounding areas that have a primary speech and/or language delay.
• Dietician Amanda Jones from Barwon Health provides dietetic services for anyone between 0-64 years residing in Bannockburn and surrounding areas that require assistance with food and nutrition issues.
A new centralised contact and referral process is being trialled by Barwon Health for its Bannockburn services. Individuals, GPs and health professionals can contact the services or make referrals to: Barwon Health Information & Access Services: phone: 1300 715 673, e-mail: chrsinfoaccess@barwonhealth.org.au
Regional Growth Plan
A G21 Regional Growth Plan is being drafted to manage regional population growth and land use to 2050. The G21 region includes the municipalities of Golden Plains, Geelong, Queenscliffe, Surf Coast and Colac Otway. The Plan is one of eight being prepared across the State. The G21 regional population is currently 227,000. It is expected to be 500,000 by 2050 unless we all stop breeding. A formal public consultation process will commence in the coming months. At the moment draft principles for growth and scenarios are being prepared as future growth options for public consideration.
Public Toilet Upgrade in Bannockburn
Bannockburn residents will be relieved to know that Council is preparing to upgrade the public toilet in the High St at last!
Australian Day Awards
Council is calling for nominations for Australia Day Awards in the categories of Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year.
Nomination forms are available from the Bannockburn Customer Service centre in Pope St and can be downloaded from Council’s website. Nominations close 23 November.
My Contact Details
My contact details are:
mobile 0427 680 901,
telephone 03 5265 1058,
fax 03 52651653,
e-mail dcotsell@bigpond.com
David Cotsell
Councillor, Golden Plains Shire
