News
Shire News
Reconstruction of Pope St will commence in January between High Street and Burnside Road.
The work will include improved road surface, new kerb and channelling, drainage improvements, completion of footpaths and improvement of the vehicle crossovers. Design work is now well advanced and design documents will be completed by Christmas.
The design of a roundabout at the Pope Street/Burnside Road/Levy Road intersection is included in the project to ensure it is integrated into the reconstructed Pope St. Construction of the roundabout is not included in the current budget.
Soccer in Golden Plains
Golden Plains Shire in partnership with Football Federation Victoria and Leisure Networks is preparing plans to develop soccer in the Shire. A working group has been formed, which is looking to support the establishment of a junior club or competition, initially in the southern part of the Shire and aiming to enter junior teams in the Geelong Northern Hub Football League.
Mayor Re-elected
Cr Geraldine Frantz was elected at the November Council meeting as the ‘Mayor elect’ for Golden Plains Shire for 2012. Her re-election as Mayor will be confirmed at Council’s Annual Statutory meeting on 6 December. Geraldine has earned considerable respect across the region for her courtesy, intelligence and hard work. I wish her every success for her second term as Mayor working on behalf of the community.
Vale Leon Grace
Council is saddened by the passing of Leon Grace, a former President of the Shire of Bannockburn and who represented the Bannockburn Riding of that Council. Leon retired from local government in May 1994 following the amalgamation of Bannockburn Shire into the new Golden Plains Shire. Our thoughts are with Maureen and family.
Council Plan
Council has approved its draft Council plan for the period 2012 to 2016. The Plan is available for public comment on Council’s website or may be seen at the Bannockburn Customer Service Centre. The plan includes many important projects and I encourage ratepayers to take the time to look at it and provide feedback.
Bannockburn Community and Cultural Hub
The situation with the Community & Cultural Hub is broadly as I described last time. The builder has failed to meet his contractural obligations with regard to timelines and some other matters. Council therefore followed the prescribed process to take the work out of the builder’s hands. This has now been done.
An audit of work has been completed. The building is 80% complete and we have paid for this. We retain funds to complete the remaining work which is, essentially, internal fit out. We have called for expressions of interest to complete the work.
Some sub-contractors are in dispute with the builder regarding payment for work done. The Council is in discussion with the builder, the sub-contractors and the union to facilitate resolution of the claimed underpayment by the builder. Council is not withholding any money that would prevent the builder meeting his obligations to his sub-contractors.
Council has been careful about what we have said because of the legal processes we are required to follow to take the work out of the Contractor’s hands and so that we can keep our options open regarding any future legal action we may take. Any extra costs in relation to the project are likely to be for legal expenses. Council staff aim to have the project completed in late March.
Gheringhap Structure Plan
Following a review of land in the south east of the shire between Bannockburn, Batesford and Stonehaven, Council resolved to prepare a structure plan for Gheringhap. This plan will provide certainty to residents and land owners in that area about what development may and may not be undertaken in the future. A steering group has been established to oversee the work and consultants have been appointed. The first round of community consultation will take place in the new year.
Golden Plains Arts Trail 2012
The 2012 Arts Trail is scheduled for 24 & 25 March. So far, 25 artists have entered the trail and 20 venues have been identified. Preparation of feature themes is underway and Textile Arts will be a special feature of the 2012 Arts Trail.
Bannockburn Loop Bus Service
The Bannockburn Loop Trial Bus Service was established on 23rd October 2009 based on community feedback received during 2009. The service aimed to connect the towns of Inverleigh, Teesdale, Bannockburn and Shelford to each other and to Geelong. The loop part of the service was not well used and the Department of Transport has advised that the trial will close.
This closure includes the Bannockburn-Geelong leg of the trial, which has become an important link for our community and whose use is steadily growing. Council is consulting with local member and Minister for Transport, Terry Mulder, over retaining this leg of the service.
Christmas Note
I thank all the Bannockburn residents for their support and encouragement (and ready advice!) over the last year. I hope you all have a pleasant holiday period and enjoy the Christmas season and please, please, come back in one piece!
My Contact Details
My contact details are:
mobile 0427 680 901
telephone 03 5265 1058
fax 03 5265 1653
e-mail dcotsell@bigpond.com
David Cotsell,
Councillor, Golden Plains Shire
