New fountains quench thirst for water and knowledge

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New cultural water fountains at Deakin University will provide free access to fresh drinking water and reduce plastic waste while also quenching students, staff and visitors’ thirst for knowledge about Traditional Owner culture and history.

A joint initiative between Deakin University, Barwon Water, and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, the fountains feature Aboriginal artwork and inscriptions created by Wadawurrung artists Billy-Jay O’Toole and Corrina Eccles, designed to facilitate storytelling and an understanding and appreciation of Traditional Owner culture and history.

The fountains are designed to teach, inspire and raise awareness of Wadawurrung values while also expressing gratitude and thanks to the Traditional Custodians for nurturing and caring for Country, which sustains us all.

They also reduce the need to purchase single-use plastic bottles and the amount of waste generated on campus. This will bring the university one step closer to its goal of achieving zero waste by 2030, a target that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Mental health building blitz begins in Geelong

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Residents in Greater Geelong will soon have access to better local mental health support with a construction blitz now underway on two major projects thanks to the state government.

Work on a new world-class 16-bed acute mental health facility at Barwon Health’s McKellar Centre will create and sustain more than 230 local construction jobs when Victorians need them most. It will also deliver on a key recommendation made by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

The facility’s frame will be constructed as individual modules off-site, then transported and completed on-site – reducing disruption to the operational hospital and local residents while construction is underway.

Designed in consultation with people with lived experience of the mental health system, the facility will deliver more than 5800 days of care – which equates to approximately 355 people each year.

The facility will reduce pressure on University Hospital Geelong’s emergency department, delivering inpatient acute mental health services and community-based care in a contemporary, safe and high-quality hospital setting.

Geelong-based Lyons Construction has also begun work on the $16 million Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Services Community Hub in Moorabool Street, in central Geelong, with construction on track to be completed in late 2022.

Operated by Barwon Health, the five-storey hub will provide better access to treatment and support services for people experiencing mental ill-health and addiction – further supporting them on their recovery journey.

The hub will consolidate existing services onto one contemporary, fit-for-purpose site. Clinicians will provide telephone, online, walk-in, at-home and outreach services over extended operating hours – and the facility will also include space for clinicians and researchers to collaborate to improve mental health outcomes across the region.

The state government invested $3.8 billion in the Victorian Budget 2021-22 to transform Victoria’s mental health system, in the single largest investment in mental health by any state government.

Source: A state government media statement

Golden Plains adopts social housing plan

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Golden Plains Shire Council recently (27 July) adopted the Golden Plains Social Housing Plan to work with the Victorian Government on addressing the lack of social housing in the municipality.

As part of its participation in a regional Social Housing Planning project facilitated by the G21 – Geelong Region Alliance, the Golden Plains Social Housing Plan has been developed to sit alongside similar plans for each G21 council and a combined regional plan.

In Golden Plains Shire, there are currently only eight social housing properties and there is unmet demand for an additional 113 homes. Unmet demand statewide has been recognised by the Victorian Government through its $5.3 billion Big Housing Build to build thousands of new dwellings and update existing social housing across the state, including a $15 million guaranteed minimum spend in Golden Plains Shire.

The Golden Plains plan outlines the need for more subsidised social housing properties and provides local information and perspectives to help shape the Government’s $15 million commitment and support Council to work constructively with the government, developers and housing providers to increase access to local social housing.

The plan commits Council to working with these partners on identifying, assessing and developing underutilised state- and Council-owned land, as well as where developers can include provision for social housing in greenfield sites. Council will maintain a public register of opportunities, and undertake a rigorous planning, assessment and consultation process before finalising proposals on Council-owned land.

With renewed government interest in tackling the lack of social housing across the state, Mayor Cr Helena Kirby says Council was pleased to adopt the plan following participation in the G21’s regional social housing project.

“The Golden Plains Social Housing Plan commits Council to constructively working together with our neighbouring councils, the Victorian Government, housing associations and developers to increase social housing in Golden Plains and support local economic recovery and jobs,” Cr Kirby said.

“The data shows we have higher rates of rental stress in and around Bannockburn and Smythesdale and a startling gap between the current supply and demand for social housing in our Shire.

“The Plan positions Golden Plains and the Geelong region to work constructively with the state government on its Big Housing Build, which includes a $15 million commitment to developing social housing in Golden Plains. This investment is one of the largest single government investments in Golden Plains Shire and will make a big difference,” Cr Kirby said.

The G21-facilitated project was funded by philanthropic grants from the Percy Baxter Trust and the Anthony Costa Foundation.

The Golden Plains Social Housing Plan is available on Council’s website at: goldenplains.vic.gov.au/strategies.

Source: A Golden Plains Shire media statement

Wathaurong community NAIDOC award winners announced

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The Wathaurong Co-operative has announced its Community NAIDOC winners at a Flag Raising and Community Day celebrating the start of NAIDOC Week on 5 July.

Each year, the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative community nominates people to receive NAIDOC Awards who are positive role models for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and are connected to community life.

Aunty Judy Dalton-Walsh won the Nedok Yoonga award for Elder/Respected Person. Aunty Judy was nominated for her work as a language and koorie education teacher; helping bring back Wadda Wurrung language and teaching young and old.

The Ngarrwa Ngitj award for Community Person was shared by Aunty Wendy Brabham and Kristi Watts.

A respected Wathaurong community member for over 30 years, Aunty Wendy was nominated for her commitment to educating people around her and always putting community first.

Kristi was nominated for her leadership in early years learning, keeping the community culturally connected through storytelling and songs and keeping early years families connected through COVID.

Jordan Wellington won the Koolay Goopma award for Young Male Achiever. Jordan has recently undertaken a leadership role in his community through his work at a Koorie Youth Camp as a youth mentor. He aims to grow as a mentor in the future.

Stephi Murphy and Bri Apma-Hayes were joint winners of Moordeemoondeek Goopma award for Young Female Achievers.

Stephi was nominated for her growing leadership abilities in the Wathaurong community, attending the Koorie Youth Camp as a youth mentor, and showing and teaching others how to dance.

Bri was nominated for completing Year 12 through adverse conditions and studying for a Certificate IV in youth work at TAFE. She is driven and determined to learn and achieve great things so that she can work with the young mob in the community.

The theme of NAIDOC week this year was ‘Heal Country’ calling for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.

New social hub to support youth in Golden Plains

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Construction has begun on the Golden Plains Youth Hub which is set to improve health, education and employment for young people.

The youth hub will be a place where young people can relax, connect with peers and get advice and support through access to local services if required.

Located opposite Bannockburn College P-12, the $562,000 project will repurpose an existing building, rotating it to face north to improve natural heating and utilise the outdoor decking area.

The project will be delivered by Golden Plains Shire Council, which is making a $90,000 in-kind contribution. The state government is contributing $271,000, while the federal government and Bannockburn and District Grants Inc. are both contributing $100,000 to the project.

The hub has been a priority project for G21 which has helped to advocate for an innovative, contemporary space to build a strong, resilient youth culture connected to its community.

Mountain bike trail gets world class upgrade

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Work is set to begin on a major upgrade and expansion of Forrest’s mountain bike trail network, that will see it become a world-class destination for mountain biking.

The Forrest Mountain Bike Revitalisation Project will create up to 38 kilometres of new trails, taking the network’s footprint to over 100 kilometres.

The Forrest Mountain Bike Trail is a leading track of the Adventure Trails, which is a G21 priority under the Great Ocean Road project.

These new and revitalised trails will make Forrest a must-visit mountain biking destination, driving a significant increase in local tourism and the broader region.

The upgrade of one of the most adventurous and dynamic mountain bike trails in the network, the Red Carpet Trail, begins this month with construction to continuing into 2022.

During winter, the Red Carpet Trail will be resurfaced and weather-proofed, allowing for year-round riding. New jumps, ridges and rollers will be added to create a more engaging experience for riders. The trail will be closed in sections as the work progresses.

Planning studies and regulatory approvals for upgrades and extensions of other trails are continuing, ahead of construction work to begin later this year.

The project is creating valuable jobs for the local region, with tradespeople, landscapers, designers and technical specialists to be employed as the project progresses.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and the Colac Otway Shire Council will deliver the project which has received $2.07 million in funding from the Victorian Government and $250,000 from Colac Otway Shire Council.

FFMVic and Colac Otway Shire Council will conduct community engagement in the coming months to help finalise the redesign of the Forrest Trail Head Precinct.

Bright future for Geelong Future Economy Precinct roads

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Construction at the Geelong Future Economy Precinct at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus continues to advance, with the third and final stage of the $11.5 million infrastructure expansion nearing completion.

Stage 3 of the major road upgrades involves extension of Epworth Place into the existing road network near Carbon Revolution. Roadworks are expected to be completed by September 2021.

The roadworks will provide alternative entrance points to the precinct, which houses Deakin University, the Epworth Hospital, and advanced manufacturing companies such as Carbon Revolution, Quickstep and tenants of ManuFutures, an advanced manufacturing accelerator.

The road upgrade project is funded through the $382.48 million Geelong City Deal – a 10-year partnership between the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong.

The Geelong Future Economy Precinct is driving Geelong’s knowledge economy and is home to world-leading research, carbon-fibre expertise and advanced manufacturing.

This investment will improve access to our emerging advanced manufacturing industries at the site which include biotech, renewable energy and robotics.

Stage 1 of the project was completed in May 2020 with two sets of traffic signals installed at Deakin on Pigdons Road to increase traffic safety and site access.

Stage 2 of the expansion was completed in July 2020 with Nicol Drive North and South extended by 900 metres to increase internal access to the Geelong Future Economy Precinct.

More information on the Geelong City Deal is available at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/cities/city-deals/geelong.

G21 housing crisis spreads

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Two G21 municipalities have declared a housing crisis in response to the lack of affordable accommodation for key workers in towns along the Great Ocean Road.

Colac Otway Shire councillors voted to declare a ‘key and essential worker housing crisis’ as a lack of affordable housing starts to significantly impact on the region.

Pressure is being felt across the whole community with essential service providers such as doctors, teachers and police unable to take up work Colac Otway.

The shortage is also affecting economic activity with small businesses unable to open their doors, as they struggle to find workers.

There is a need for a diverse mix of rental and market housing suitable for professional services workers, hospitality and seasonal workers, and timber and meat industry workers.

Apollo Bay and other coastal towns offering a long-distance commute, are at particular risk due to their remoteness and a growing trend for short-term rental of properties on platforms like Air BnB.

An investment in more affordable, safe, secure housing stock in these areas will help grow their permanent populations, accommodate seasonal workers during peak tourism periods and provide a more stable local economy.

Colac Otway Shire is already making preparations to build social and key worker housing in Colac and address the shortage in coastal towns. Council will deliver a report on proposed solutions for the coming summer.

Surf Coast Shire faces a similar challenge and declared a ‘key worker accommodation crisis’ in May.

Tourist hotspot Lorne was used as a case study for the municipality, demonstrating the effects of a high turnover of staff, a lack of international backpacker and student workforce (95 per cent of Lorne’s seasonal workforce) and lack of suitable accommodation.

Businesses there are reducing their trading hours or closing for days at a time due to a lack of staff, which is reducing the quality of the visitor experience.

One business in Lorne said the nearest accommodation option for staff is in Armstrong Creek, which also has high demand and prices. It is not viewed as a long-term option given the late hours in hospitality and the long commute time.

Surf Coast Shire has allocated $60,000 for an Action Plan to explore ways to address the issue.

There is an opportunity here for all three levels of government to put together a creative solution in collaboration with the private sector, and not just for our region.

Other regions in Victoria and nationally are experiencing the same pinch and the problem looks like it will be with us for a while.

New Structure Plan for Smythesdale

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Golden Plains Shire Council has commenced the preparation of a new Structure Plan for Smythesdale, providing direction for future growth and development in the town.

The new Smythesdale Structure Plan will comprehensively address factors influencing Smythesdale including bushfire risk, the natural environment, land supply and projections for residential and commercial growth.

The Plan will provide a framework for new residential and commercial land and may propose changes to planning controls affecting land as well as identify the need for new projects, open space, recreation and community infrastructure to meet requirements for the future.

Currently, there is an Urban Design Framework for Smythesdale that was created in 2006. Most of the land designations within this Framework have been rezoned, developed or are soon to be activated which means a new plan is needed to guide decision-making on growth matters in Smythesdale for the next 25 years.

Have Your Say on the Smythesdale Structure Plan (see also update due to COVID below)

Council wants to hear from local Smythesdale and Scarsdale residents about how they want Smythesdale to develop into the future. The Smythesdale Structure Plan Survey is open from Thursday 8 July to Thursday 12 August and has been sent by mail to all residents of Smythesdale and Scarsdale, arriving in mailboxes next week (from 12 July).

The survey can also be completed at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations or you may pick up a copy of the survey at Council’s Customer Service Centre, The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale. Completed paper surveys may be emailed to enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au or mailed to: Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC, 3331, marked ‘Attention: Smythesdale Structure Plan’.

Council planning staff will hold engagement sessions, welcoming Smythesdale and Scarsdale residents to stop by and talk about the Smythesdale Structure Plan. Visit a drop-in session at The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale from 4.30 to 6pm on Thursday 15 July or Council’s stall at the Smythesdale Market from 10am to 2pm, Saturday 17 July (in the event of inclement weather, this consultation will be held at The Well).

Council’s Strategic Planning team is also available to speak directly with residents about the Smythesdale Structure Plan – call 5220 7143.

Mayor Cr Helena Kirby encouraged local residents to share their views on the future of Smythesdale.

“We look forward to hearing from Smythesdale and Scarsdale locals to ensure Council develops a Smythesdale Structure Plan that meets the community’s expectations and guides positive growth in the township over the next 25 years,” Cr Kirby said.

“Over the past few months, we’ve had some fantastic engagement with the people of Smythesdale, Scarsdale and the northern townships with residents talking to us at Coffee with your Councillors and consultations on the Digital Hub at The Well, Three Trails Project and Northern Streetscapes Project. There is great work happening in the north of the Shire and this community feedback has had a real impact in shaping these projects.”

The Smythesdale Structure Plan builds upon the planning work of the Northern Settlement Strategy, which was adopted by Council in 2019. The Plan is expected to be presented to Council in late 2021.

UPDATED 19 July 2021 – SMYTHESDALE ENGAGEMENT RESCHEDULED

Due to the current snap lockdown, Council has rescheduled the weekend’s postponed in-person engagement on the Smythesdale Structure Plan.

The in-person session that was planned for Saturday 17 July will now take place from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday 31 July at The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.

Community members will also be able to take part in an additional online engagement opportunity via Zoom on Thursday 22 July from 4 to 6pm.

For all the details on how to participate, visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations.

Residents can also complete the Smythesdale Structure Plan Survey available on Council’s website or complete the paper survey mailed to all Smythesdale and Scarsdale residents and return by email to enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au or mailed to:

Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC, 3331, marked ‘Attention: Smythesdale Structure Plan’.

The Smythesdale Structure Plan Survey is open from Thursday 8 July to Thursday 12 August.

Source: Golden Plains Shire media statements

Life changes, keep moving

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The STREETFACE project, featuring photos and stories of nine residents from across the G21 region, demonstrates how movement provides a wealth of health and wellbeing benefits, both physical and emotional.

The project shines a light on older members of our community who have experienced a life transition.

From Josie’s story of moving from farmland to suburbia without knowing anyone, to Bob’s experience of open-heart surgery and lymphoma, each of the real-life stories provides insights to encourage others to find resilience and empowerment through physical activity to improve health and wellbeing.

City of Greater Geelong mayor and G21 chair Cr Stephanie Asher said it was great to see STREETFACE bringing awareness to another important campaign.

“Each year, STREETFACE reinforces the adage that every person has a story. Through the compelling personal narratives, we also learn some common threads and universal truths that help us to take care of our own health and wellbeing,” Cr Asher said.

“It’s exciting to see this year’s STREETFACE become a partnership with neighbouring councils, G21 and others working together to raise awareness for active living in our community.

“I encourage anyone out and about to stop by the nine locations and read the stories told by each community member.”

G21 Health & Wellbeing Director Zoe Barnett said the STREETFACE project builds on the work of/ complements G21’s Healthier Eating and Active Living (HEAL) initiative.

“It’s so important to support people, particularly the older people in our community, to remain physically active,” Ms Barnett said.

“It’s inspiring to showcase the lived experience of people in our region already benefiting from being out there and active, celebrating their achievements and reminding everyone that physical activity goes a long way towards good mental and physical health and wellbeing.”

The large STREETFACE decals went on display in late June and will stay until Friday 27 August at the following Greater Geelong locations:

  • City Hall
  • Bus Port
  • Geelong West Town Hall
  • Leisurelink
  • Bellarine Community Health, Portarlington
  • Civic Centre car park; and
  • Grovedale Neighbourhood House.

A STREETFACE decal will also be displayed at Kanyana Seniors Centre in the Colac Otway Shire.

As part of STREETFACE this year, community members are also encouraged to take part in the online survey, which includes a series of questions on this year’s project and theme (before 25 August 2021).

The current project has brought together G21 – Geelong Region Alliance, the City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire, Barwon Health, Dementia Australia, Bellarine Community Health and Humans in Geelong.

STREETFACE started in 2009 as a City of Greater Geelong project, with previous campaigns recognising NAIDOC Week, Refugee Week, the VALiD Having a Say Conference and National Youth Week.

Read the stories of each of the nine STREETFACE participants by visiting humansingeelong.com
To download a PDF of the stories of the nine STREETFACE participants click here