Local industry struggling to survive due to hefty rate increases

BY ALISON MARTIN

THE FUTURE of the Bellarine's bed and breakfast industry is under threat unless changes are made to council rating criteria, according to tourism operators and authorities.

Small B&B operators who have joined tourism groups and promoted themselves on websites - drawing attention to their businesses - have had their properties reclassified from residential to multi-use this year by City of Greater Geelong and face a rate increase of more than a third.

Bellarine Tourism chair, Hugo Armstrong, said many B&B owners who made only minimal income from a cottage or room they rented had decided their business was no longer viable after council changed their rating classification.

He said a significant number of operators had indicated they would not be renewing their Bellarine Tourism membership and were no longer interested in providing accommodation for the growing number of visitors to the region.

"Bellarine Tourism and Geelong Otway Tourism are aware of the situation and we have huge concerns," Armstrong said.

"I've spoken with a lot of operators and a number have already ceased business.

"However, while it's unfortunate that it has affected a lot of smaller businesses across the whole Bellarine, there have also been some large operators make high revenue off their property and paying residential rates."

Armstrong said previously, some operators were running successful businesses and not paying a rate proportionate to their business, but the pendulum had swung too far the other way and small businesses were now being expected to pay corporate rates.

He called on CoGG to reassess the rating classification for all B&B owners.

"It should be on a sliding scale. I can't see why there can't be an ‘A' and a ‘B' rate," Armstrong said.

"As a tourism body we look at the size of the business and their membership is charged accordingly. Operators could sign a Statutory Declaration or an accountant's letter to show the size of the business.

"Or it could be easily based on the number of beds. If an operator has one or two beds they should not have to pay the same rates on their property as someone with a number of cottages.

"People need to write to their local councillors and MPs with their concerns."

CoGG financial services manager, Mike Kelly, said people also had the opportunity to appeal rating classification or property valuation by contacting the city.

He said the Mixed Use rating classification had been in place for many years.

"Properties are classified as Mixed Use if its occupants conduct a business from home, such as a Bed and Breakfast," Kelly said.

Contact CoGG on 5272 5272 for more information on your rates. Send your views to Letters to the Editor at editor@bellarinetimes.com.au

Innovative project looks to create a sense of community among towns in Coryule Ward

BY ALISON MARTIN

DO YOU know the story behind the paddlesteamer wreck at Indented Head or the legend of the ghost in the Grand Hotel cellar?

Historical, fascinating, funny and quirky tales of the Coryule Ward - including Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards - are now being gathered for Murmur on the Bellarine.

Murmur is a global community-focused initiative which started in Canada and has spread across the world, with Geelong the first city in Australia to introduce the ‘ears' followed now by the Bellarine.

Murmur on the Bellarine spokesperson, Stephen Oakes, said the concept involved recording stories told by local community members relating to specific public locations on the Bellarine and then accessing the stories at each location via your mobile phone.

He said at each designated location, a green ear Murmur sign, with a telephone number and a six-digit location code indicated stories were available at the site.

Visitors and locals can then use their mobile phone to SMS the number on the sign, wait for a call back and listen to the menu to choose their stories.

He said stories would also be available on the Murmur website, but the idea of listening to the stories at the location they related to was a key part of the project.

The initiative aims to encourage people to "develop a new intimacy with places and the physical experience of hearing a story in its actual setting - of hearing the walls talk - brings uncommon knowledge to common space, and brings people closer to the real histories that make up their world".

Oakes said Portarlington was the first town on the Bellarine to be included and he urged any local people with a memory or story about people, places or anything of interest around the town to contact the Murmur group.

"We organise a time and I will come and record the story at the location. People can send in their own recording but it has to be really good audio quality so I'm happy to do the recording," he said.

"It doesn't have to be scripted, and we want people of all ages; it doesn't have to be an old memory, it could be a young person with a story about the local skatepark."

Oakes suggested that although Murmur sites would be determined by stories, the first ‘ear' could be located at Portarlington's historic rotunda.

To have your story included in the Murmur project, contact CoGG arts and culture officer, Ross Mueller, on 5272 4703.

Community gains support over introduction of lifeguards for Portarlington

BY ALISON MARTIN

‘SWIM between the flags' is widely promoted as the safest option when using Victoria's beaches, but the fact is it's not an option on the northern Bellarine.

A number of Port Phillip beaches - around Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula - with equal numbers of users to Portarlington, have Life Saving Victoria lifeguards patrolling over peak summer periods.

However, despite the increasing number of visitors converging on northern Bellarine beaches, including Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards, there are no lifeguards and no flags.

The need for summer patrols - particularly at the busy Portarlington beach - which attracts a mix of swimmers, boat users and commercial and recreational fishermen, has been raised by community members.

While no action has been initiated, the introduction of lifeguards at Portarlington has the support of all local authorities "if warranted" and has been welcomed by Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club secretary, Matthew Ponsford,

"We would support any extra life saving services on the Bellarine as the population increases," he said.

"We have life guards at Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale seven days a week from Boxing Day to the Australia Day weekend, with about 200 active (volunteer) lifesavers. But we don't have the capacity to put lifesavers at other beaches.

"Portarlington has a lot of boating activity and swimmers and just because it's a bay beach doesn't mean it doesn't warrant a life saving service

"Life Saving Victoria only started patrols at Raffs Beach a few years ago, because there were too many people at Ocean Grove Beach and they started using Raffs so there was a need.

"As time goes on and more people come to the Bellarine you have to re-evaluate these things and it's probably time to look at Portarlington."

City of Greater Geelong, Bellarine Bayside and Life Saving Victoria representatives all indicated they would support a lifeguard service "if warranted", however, the need had not been identified by authorities at this stage.

Bellarine Bayside chief executive, Tim Page-Walker, said while he was not aware of any regularity with water-based incidents over the past eight years, he was sure everyone would agree that water-based activities did present risks.

He said he could not determine if summer beach users had increased in recent years but the Bellarine Bayside Holiday Park at Portarlington accommodated between 5,000 and 6,000 people per night between Boxing Day and Australia Day.

City of Greater Geelong manager sport and recreation, Paul Jane, said Life Saving Victoria determined the beaches in the region that required lifeguards.

"At this stage Life Saving Victoria has not identified Portarlington as a beach that needs to be patrolled by lifeguards, but we will we continue to work with them," he said.

Life Saving Victoria general manager, Paula Butler, agreed LSV would work with CoGG to determine the needs of northern Bellarine beaches.

Send your views on lifeguard services at Portarlington and other northern Bellarine beaches to Letters to the Editor at editor@bellarinetimes.com.au

Kilgour Estate to remain in local hands, with Leura Park owners taking over

BY ALISON MARTIN

ICONIC Bellarine winery and restaurant, Kilgour Estate, has been purchased by Leura Park Estate's David and Lyndsay Sharp, with the official handover today.

The significant sale for the region will enable former Kilgour owner, Anne Timms, to eventually establish a new winery and cellar door under the label Longest View.

Leura Park Estate director, David Sharp, said the couple were "over the moon about the new venture".

"We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to take on Kilgour Estate - it is one of the most brilliant sites on the Bellarine with great food, wine and spectacular views spanning across the bay from Geelong, the You Yangs to Melbourne," he said.

David said the McAdam Lane restaurant would continue to offer the same fine food and wine experience, seven days a week, and dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.

The experienced Kilgour staff will remain, including chef, David Holl, who has been preparing specialty dishes such as Portarlington mussels, at the restaurant for more than two years.

"We are looking forward to extending the relationship with existing staff and local suppliers and continue showcasing the multitude of great produce from within this region," David said.

Lyndsay said the two wineries would be operated separately, with both offering completely different experiences and retaining their individual wine labels.

However, the Leura Park couple, who have purchased the restaurant, winery and four acres of pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon vines, have plans for the further development of Kilgour Estate over time.

"Ideas and plans are still evolving so it will be a case of ‘watch this space' but people can be guaranteed that any concepts in the pipeline are designed to enhance visitor experience to the Bellarine," David said.

The peninsula's wine lovers and growing tourism industry will also benefit from Anne's plans to eventually create a new winery and label at the nearby McAdams Lane property she will retain.

Anne said she would retain 20 acres of grapes and was in the process of renovating a property where she would live and establish the boutique label, Longest View.

David said Kilgour Estate was a credit to Anne, who he described as a Bellarine icon herself, and explained she had built up "a terrific venue for food and wine lovers to experience the many bounties this wonderful region has to offer".

"We both have great respect for Anne - she has been tireless in her dedication and efforts over the years in promoting the region and putting back into the community," he said.

Calls for business case study following release of Bellarine ferry user survey

BY ALISON MARTIN

RESULTS of the Bellarine Ferry user survey have been released and supporters of the initiative believe the next step should be a business case study.

Environment and Climate Change Minister, Gavin Jennings, said the results of the survey of Bellarine Peninsula residents, funded by the State Government and City of Greater Geelong, were a good starting point for proponents considering the viability of a ferry service.

"The survey found there is wide community support for a ferry service but the findings also indicate that regular commuter numbers could be relatively low," he said.

Around 400 residents across the Bellarine region were interviewed by telephone on the potential ferry service. Residents who regularly travel to Melbourne were also invited to meetings held at Ocean Grove and Portarlington to discuss transport options and their likelihood of regularly using a ferry service and what ticket fare they would be willing to pay for a return trip.

The survey found that about 400 commuters may choose to travel by a ferry to work in Melbourne on a weekday basis and up to 500 non-commuter passengers could make a daily trip for other activities on weekdays and weekends.

"Passenger numbers are important to the viability of a ferry service. The open water and variable weather conditions of Port Phillip Bay would require a large passenger ferry in the range of 200- to 300-seat capacity if it was to deliver a frequent and reliable commuter service," Jennings said.

Bellarine Ferry Group spokesperson, John Rae, who has worked with Geoff Henderson and Grant Hutchins since 2007 on the ferry campaign, said he was grateful of the money spent on the survey and was now hoping funding would be made available for the crucial business study to assess viability.

He said ferry group members were in the process of assessing the survey data, released last Friday, but based on the initial information, a business study was warranted.

"We are looking at the results and will be having a meeting with Lisa Neville (Member for Bellarine) and Gayle Tierney (Member for Western Victoria) within the next two weeks," Rae said.

"We have always said fares would need to be subsidised, just like other public transport, and would need to compare with costs of driving to Geelong and then train fares to Melbourne, with consideration to the greatly reduced travel times.

"A business study would need to be based on competitive, subsidised public transport fares, and we see that as the next step."

Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville, said the survey had been a direct response to the Portarlington community's call for a commuter ferry service to Melbourne.

"The study information is available to the public, interested parties and potential proponents for ferry services. The government will work with proponents of genuine proposals submitted to it so they can be assessed," she said

The ferry project has received widespread support since launched by Port's Community Building Initiative, with more than 320 people attending last month's community ferry forum, organised by Bellarine Liberal Party candidate, Kurt Reiter.

Reiter said last week, prior to the release of the survey, that public support was evident, and called for a business plan to be developed.

Ferry survey results are available on the Parks Victoria website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au City of Greater Geelong and Department of Transport sites.

Bellarine Rail Trail is enhanced with more than 6,000 trees thanks to Landcare volunteers and Cotton On staff, who are aiming to offset its carbon emissions

BY ALISON MARTIN

MORE than 6,000 trees were planted along the Bellarine Rail Trail last Friday, as the first project of a Cotton On Foundation initiative to offset carbon emissions.

Three-hundred Cotton On employees, based at Geelong head office, were joined by more than 40 Bellarine Landcare Group volunteers for the planting to reduce the company's environmental impact.

Cotton On Foundation manager, Tim Diamond, said last week's extensive Bellarine tree-planting venture on the popular rail trail was a great project.

"It's all part of our new Get Your Green On environment policy initiative to get staff focused on environmental impact," he explained.

"The planting of 6,200 trees on the Bellarine Rail Trail is designed to offset carbon emissions for a year from our head office. We'll be doing something different with our distrubution centre staff in the next six to eight weeks to help them reduce their environmental impact."

A strong supporter of local charities, Cotton On has grown from one shop in Geelong in 1991 to a ‘fashion powerhouse' with 600 stores and 4,500 employees in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the United States.

Get Your Green On is Cotton On group's official campaign to engage staff by providing information and empowering them to take action through environmentally-focused events and resources.

Bellarine Landcare Coastcare co-ordinator, Matt Crawley, said the significant initiative would assist with managing invasive environmental weeds and returning the heathy and grassy woodland vegetation along the Bellarine Rail Trail.

He said Bellarine Landcare co-ordinated Cotton On's major planting day, with the support of Geelong Steam Preservation Society and City of Greater Geelong.

"This initiative will serve to protect and enhance vital habitat on the Bellarine," Crawley said.

Bellarine Landcare Group president, Jim Mason, said the indigenous plants had been propagated by many volunteers at the Bellarine Secondary College and Landcare nursery.

"The rail reservation and trail from Drysdale to Queenscliff has been considerably enhanced for all stakeholders," he said.

Bellarine Landcare officer, Michaela Holroyd, said the local Landcare group would host a follow-up planting day along the Bellarine Rail Trail on August 1 and community members can participate.

For more details on Bellarine Landcare and the next planting day, contact Michaela Holroyd on 0408 527 619.

Plans to install distance markers on St Leonards walking tracks set to receive support

BY ALISON MARTIN

A PROPOSED ‘health and wellbeing' initiative to introduce distance markers on St Leonards' walking tracks is expected to gain Bellarine-wide support.

St Leonards' Progress Association has taken member Karen Reiter's idea to introduce measurement markers on proposed and existing trails or paths as their project, benefitting the community and visitors to the town.

Association president, Bob Hynes, said he was confident the low cost markers would be a great innovation on all walking trails across the Bellarine, including the Bellarine Rail Trail.

"Measured paths and trails assist people of all ages and ability to set goals. Walking is a low impact exercise for all ages and levels of fitness," he said.

Hynes said the association had the support of a local doctor and would assist all health professionals to encourage "novice walkers or those recovering from illness or surgery to set goals to aid recovery".

"For others hoping to improve their fitness, aims may be higher and goals to achieve set distances, then time over those distances can be a real motivator to a regular exercise regime," he said.

Association secretary, Paul Sproule, is recovering from a knee operation and in supporting the initiative, has provided first-hand example of the need for the markers.

"As part of the rehabilitation, I have been instructed to walk certain distances and increase that over time," he explained.

"The measured distances would promote health and walking; and we do have an ageing demographic."

Hynes said the association proposed the distance markers be introduced initially on existing and proposed paths and trails in St Leonards, but was keen to encourage other community organisations across the Bellarine and Geelong to follow their lead.

"The markers don't have to cost much," he said.

"There are plenty of groups around that could take it on as a project - it would be an ideal one for the local men's shed when it goes ahead; we could even look at community grants.

"I've just got back from Queensland and they have them on the Gold Coast. They just a have wooden markers and have used a router to put the distance on each one.

"Some tracks have exercise bars along the way which could even be introduced along the tracks down here at a later date - there are plenty of add-ons once we get the initial support."

With overwhelming support from members, the association has written to the City of Greater Geelong, Bellarine Bayside and Parks Victoria asking them to support the proposal to introduce the measured walking distances in St Leonards.

To show your support or find out more about the innovative health and wellbeing proposal, contact Bob Hynes on 0424 041 767, or email your thoughts to Letters to the Editor at editor@bellarinetimes.com.au

Government initiatives help to secure the future of Queenscliff

BY ALISON MARTIN

QUEENSCLIFF'S coastal challenges and its unique heritage-tourism values will be supported through a multi-million dollar funding boost for regional areas.

The town will share in a $13.6million Coastal Settlements of the Future initiative, addressing flooding vulnerability and a $6million Villages of Victoria tourism campaign announced last week by the State Government for regional areas.

Queenscliff will also receive significant dollars through three separate regional funding initiatives, including a $250,000 grant to upgrade the iconic Princess and Citizens parks.

Improvements to the parks will include the reconstruction of Thwaites Walk, linking the Queenscliff Pier to Queenscliff Fort and improvements to safety fencing along the cliff edge. The funding will also provide for upgraded toilet amenities, including disabled facilities, landscaping, improvements to the car parks, landscaping and signage.

Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville, said the funding for Queenscliff was part of the government's $631million ‘Ready for Tomorrow: A Blueprint for Regional and Rural Victoria' initiative.

"It will drive a new era of opportunity, prosperity and growth in regional and rural Victoria," she said.

"It will boost regional and rural economies by giving young people more opportunities to stay, study and work in our regions.

"Communities will also have a bigger say in determining their futures under the new planning initiative."

She said the State Government would work in partnership with local government to develop the $13.6million Coastal Settlements of the Future initiative to protect the future of Queenscliff and other low-lying coastal areas.

"This funding will support our coastal areas that have become vulnerable to the impacts of flooding, inundation and storm surges," Neville said.

Along with Barwon Heads, Queenscliff was also named as one of focal towns for the Villages of Victoria campaign, which will showcase the unique characteristics of places.

"Our Villages campaign highlights the unique personalities of Victoria's village destinations," Neville said.

"The 27 villages, including Queenscliff, were selected as they present a compelling visitor experience and showcase key Victorian product strengths of natural attractions, food and wine, spa and wellness, country or cultural experiences."

Borough of Queenscliffe mayor, Bob Merriman, has welcomed the funding and is looking forward to working with the State Government to further develop strategies to deal with the threat of rising sea levels.

He said the promotion of Queenscliff's heritage to expand tourism and hospitality job opportunities would also provide positive support for the community.

The peninsula's rapidly growing population and its need for increased health services is set to be addressed under a 10-year plan

BY ALISON MARTIN

EXPANDED oral health and broader health services for families are just two key directions of Bellarine Community Health's new plan to tackle increasing health care demands.

BCH chief executive, John Fendyk, said the organisation had developed a strategic plan for the next decade which aimed to roll out a number of new and expanded services, while maintaining its core responsibilities as a community health provider.

He said the demand on health services had, and would continue to increase as the Bellarine's population grew, with changing demographic and health issues also guiding the expansion of services provided in each town.

"Bellarine Community Health has traditionally been recognised for its aged care and rehabilitation with its role in operating aged care facilities and a range of restorative health and continuing care services," he said.

"Those services will continue and be expanded where necessary to meet the needs of our ageing population, particularly in priority areas including chronic disease self management, home-based health services, and community aged care packages.

"However, BCH will also increase services to assist Bellarine residents of all ages, particularly in areas of need identified through Victorian Government Health research."

He said the 10-year service plan had been developed with research and consultation on community needs completed during 2009.

"Leopold, Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove have the youngest age profiles for the peninsula and the fastest rate of growth is in the five to nine (years) age group," he said.

"BCH has the capacity to provide sustainable paediatric services and this is just one priority service identified by key stakeholders on the Bellarine that we will be developing."

The health plan will also focus on a range of services for young people, including broad community wellbeing programmes and preventative health development.

While all health services will be available to young people across the peninsula there will be a focus on promoting youth-related services in Ocean Grove, Wallington, Drysdale, Clifton Springs and Curlewis, where there is the highest youth population.

"One of the key priorities will be the collaborative development of community mental health with Headspace Barwon and Barwon Health providing youth-specific wellbeing, mental health, drug and alcohol services, with an early intervention and preventative focus," Fendyk said.

"The Bellarine's Headspace centre is due to open in Drysdale next month and will be an extremely important facility to assist BCH expand our youth network and increase our support for young people."

The increase of dental services, oral health and dental therapy, particularly in Ocean Grove, Leopold and the other major growth areas on the peninsula will also be important in improving general health on the Bellarine.

"The BCH strategic plan 2010-2020 builds on the unique strengths of the current service system and indentifies all the opportunities to ensure the long term sustainability of the service, while meeting the growing health needs of our community," Fendyk said.

To find out more about the health services available on the Bellarine contact BCH on 5258 0888.

Push to market Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula as a separate entity to the Great Ocean Road continues to gain momentum

BY ALISON MARTIN

A PROPOSED funding and marketing restructure is expected to propel the Bellarine's identity as a leading tourism destination to a new level.

Geelong Otway Tourism is leading a push to have Geelong and the Bellarine promoted interstate and across Victoria, moving the region out of the Great Ocean Road's shadow.

Bellarine Tourism chair, Hugo Armstrong, said in the past, all marketing for Bellarine and Geelong had been included as part of the Great Ocean Road budget.

"We've felt for a long time the Bellarine was quite unique and needed its own profile," he said.

"It's far from signed, sealed and delivered, but we have done a lot of work, commissioned various quantifying reports and Tourism Victoria is now looking at how it would be implemented.

"Geelong and the Bellarine would still be included in international marketing with the Great Ocean Road, because it's recognised, but there would be separate campaign committees and dedicated dollars to promote the Bellarine and Geelong as a destination on its own to appropriate local markets."

Geelong Otway Tourism spokesperson, Terry Hickey, said research had proven Geelong and the Bellarine was a viable standalone market.

"We have got a compelling case for the region to be a separate market proposal but at this stage, I'm not sure of what the structure would be," he said.

"I don't know if there are plans to deliver regional boards, whether it would be a body that sits as Geelong Bellarine or whether there would be another structure, but that will be discussed.

"But even outside the structure, Geelong and the Bellarine is a campaign region. It means we stop any confusion about the Great Ocean Road being part of the Bellarine.

"Even on our website, to the consumer we are moving to provide information about Geelong and the Bellarine as a destination.

"It has been our approach in the last few years, and now we have evidence the State Government agrees."

Hickey said new structure funding would be decided on and in place by July 2011, however, there had already been the release of some funding for the Geelong and the Bellarine campaign.

Armstrong is confident the proposed changes to regional tourism would have huge advantages for the Bellarine and tourism operators.

The move would tap into the growing Victorian and interstate tourism market, with Jetstar and Tiger now operating out of Avalon airport, as the means of bringing even more people to the region.

Portarlington mussel farmers back in business following bumper crop

BY ALISON MARTIN

THE BELLARINE'S first harvest of hatchery-grown mussels has started and the local industry is back on track to re-establishing itself as a key player in Australia's seafood production.

Portarlington mussel farmer, Lance Wiffen, said the mussel harvest, which had been grown at the Department of Primary Industries hatchery in Queenscliff and then transferred to the mussel farms off Portarlington, had huge potential.

Wiffen said not only were Portarlington mussels back on the Australian menu, but the revived Bellarine industry would "be a force to be reckoned with".

"We have just started harvesting the first lot from the hatchery and probably won't finish until August next year," he said.

"It's early days but we expect to at least double production from last year. We hope to go from 200-tonne to about 500-tonne."

The Bellarine mussel industry had been threatened by a significant decline in wild spat (baby mussels) in Port Phillip Bay, with several mussel farmers forced to abandon their businesses.

Surviving farmers scaled down operations to remain in the industry, however, without the availability of large quantities of Victorian mussels, existing customers had no option but to find other suppliers.

Wiffen said the success in the hatchery had provided the opportunity for the farmers involved in the government-industry initiative to regain their share of the market and more.

"It's exciting times to be part of the loop again; we were out of it for a while," he said.

"We have been meeting with four or five big interstate mussel growers to expand the Australian market. It's really positive."

Wiffen said despite the lack of wild spat production, his company, Sea Bounty, had been able to continue selling mussels off the boat at Gem Pier in Williamstown and last week it had been named one of the top farm gates in Victoria.

Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville, welcomed the news.

Neville said the significant resurgence achieved through the hatchery, had been funded jointly by the government's $205million Future Farming Strategy and the industry.

"Aquaculture is such an important part of the Bellarine region and the mussel industry has faced some bleak times," she said.

Mr Mussel's Jenny Gallop, who has not been involved in the hatchery project but has continued to operate a scaled-down mussel growing and retail business, said plans for next year's Mussel Festival at Portarlington were well under way.

VCAT date to decide the fate of proposed supermarket for Portarlington

BY ALISON MARTIN

PLANS for a $6million full-line supermarket in Portarlington have been put on hold while two objectors take their views to VCAT.

However, developer Goldstrike Developments is confident all concerns have been addressed in the City of Greater Geelong's planning process and the supermarket will go ahead as soon as objections have been considered by the appeals tribunal.

Goldstrike director, David McIntosh, said the supermarket would provide an option for local residents who were currently travelling to Drysdale or further afield for regularly shopping needs.

"We've always had the support of the community and we are keen to work with objectors to make sure we can start construction - which will take nine to 10 months - as soon as possible," McIntosh said.

"By building a 1600-square metre full-line supermarket we can retain business in Portarlington, residents will spend their money here and we can create up to 50 jobs."

McIntosh said the new supermarket would have a safe loading zone on the opposite side to the laneway and parking access - as per the advice of council.

As a condition of the permit, the developer will also pay all costs to install pedestrian islands at both ends of the Brown Street block, plant trees along the street and create 52 parking spaces, including 12 on-site.

Portarlington Business Development Association chair, John Rae, supported the economic growth which would be created by the supermarket project.

He said the jobs that would be available would provide a chance for the young people of Portarlington to earn income through part-time work.

Portarlington resident, Lorraine Stokes, also threw her support behind the new supermarket, adding it would be great to have it operating for the next Christmas rush.

"Even though we have two small supermarkets in Portarlington, we all tend to shop at larger supermarkets out of town," she said.

"The new supermarket will provide more variety, create employment, open longer hours and ensure prices will be competitive.

"It's an ideal location. People will be able to park in Fenwick Street, go to the post office, go to the chemist, go to the butchers and go to the supermarket for everything you need."

McIntosh said there had been a lot of interest, but an operator had not been confirmed to date.

The supermarket application will go to a VCAT hearing on July 20. If VCAT endorses council's approval, the developer expects to have the supermarket open by July 2011.

Multi-million dollar expansion of Ocean Grove's bowling club set to provide massive benefits

BY ALISON MARTIN

THE $5million Club Grove redevelopment is set to provide Ocean Grove and the Bellarine with the leading destination hospitality venue in Victoria.

Construction starts next week and the entire project will be completed in time for the start of the busy summer holiday period on the Bellarine.

Club Grove general manager, Michael Lewis, said while Club Grove's primary focus would continue to be a bowling club with improved amenities for members, it would also become an icon of the entire Ocean Grove community.

The major refurbishment will employ more than 100 tradespeople and will incorporate a new 150-seat restaurant, wine bar and café, children's playroom, fireplaces, two function rooms, 60-seat members' lounge and new gaming facilities.

Lewis said the new building would extend 33 metres into the existing car park and provide facilities that had previously not been offered on the Bellarine.

"We are spending $1.5million on the internal fit-out alone, which is contemporary and suited to our environment, so that gives an indication of the quality of the design," Lewis said.

"The existing clubhouse will be demolished in stages so we can continue operating throughout construction."

Immediate changes while building works are in progress will include the relocation of the customer entrance to Lelean Street, extended operating hours of the club's courtesy bus and dining specials.

"We are creating a venue that will cater for a variety of uses, including weddings for up to 120 guests, conferences and a centre for service and community clubs," Lewis said.

"There will be new menus, a new wine list and new branding to market Club Grove as the place to come for good food and good entertainment.

"Staffing will double, new positions will be created and there will be exciting opportunities for the club and the Bellarine."

Lewis said the redevelopment had been planned over many years and when construction was completed, the club would set a benchmark for the region.

"We aim to be a premier venue for the state," he said.

See an artist's impression of the new Club Grove on Page 3.

Extra monetary assistance for first home owners to provide added incentive for those looking to make the Bellarine their home

BY ALISON MARTIN

FIRST home buyers planning to call the Bellarine home are the winners from the State Government's $2,000 boost to the assistance available for regional home purchases.

Last week's 2010 State Budget announcement has increased the total available assistance for regional first home buyers to $26,500, providing further incentive for renters to secure their dream home.

Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville, said local families wanting to get into home ownership would receive additional assistance with the boost to the first home owners grant.

"With new developments proposed for Clifton Springs, Ocean Grove and Portarlington this boost will enable many families who could not get into home ownership the opportunity to build their new homes and lives on the Bellarine Peninsula," she said.

Neville Richards Real Estate agent, Luke Campbell, said encouraging first home owners was a positive move, although predominate buyers around the highly sought-after Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards were still 40- to 60-year-olds looking for a lifestyle change.

"Certainly in the beginning of the first home buyer incentives we saw an incredible uptake from first home owners on the Bellarine, but now we are seeing a lack of residential blocks," Campbell said.

"We need the land to become available and rezoning to start to keep a step ahead while the first home buyers' money is available."

Neville said the increased grant and demand for residential blocks would also bring new jobs into the local community.

She said Bellarine residents will also benefit from a $33.6million investment in the region's health facilities, ensuring families living and moving to the Bellarine would have access to high-quality healthcare.

"It will expand acute capacity at Geelong Hospital with six new beds in the intensive care unit and increase inpatient capacity," she said.

"This budget provides funding to improve access to health services at the Geelong Hospital but also commences the building of a second hospital for Geelong.

"The proposed new hospital is great news for residents of Ocean Grove and Queenscliff who will have access to a full suite of quality health services, better meeting demand for services, but also providing closer and easier access.

"Geelong is a growing community and as the population grows, demand for hospital services will increase. This new hospital will continue to look after the health and wellbeing of our community well into the future.

"The budget provides extra funding for the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club - this is on top of $10,000 recently provided to the club to help them continue to provide their vital service, particularly with people with a disability."

Neville said the local surf life saving club was one of our biggest and looked after one of the most popular beaches in the region.

It is unique in that it has an overwhelming number of local residents who volunteer and support the club.

"The grant provided in the budget is an acknowledgement of the great work they do each summer and will help them continue to keep our community safe on the beach," she said.

For a full look at the Budget from a local perspective, see Page 16.

Local real estate agents unanimous in their belief that the Bellarine remains undervalued and that prices will continue to surge over the coming years

BY ALISON MARTIN

INCREASING demand and ballot systems are setting precedents on the Bellarine, yet experts maintain peninsula properties are currently "undervalued", with prices set to soar.

Wallington Real Estate agent, Allason Lynch, said there were 600 people on an inquiry database for land in Ocean Grove and acreage in the Wallington area, which remained scarce but in high demand.

"Land in the Kingston Estate sub-division in Ocean Grove is selling out in the first few hours of being released," Lynch said.

"We had 19 blocks available in the last release and 38 people had to go into a ballot for the blocks. We will have 24 blocks in the next release and there will potentially be similar numbers.

"There is a mix of people looking for Ocean Grove property, some are locals, some from Melbourne and we even have people from the UK and Ukraine on our database.

"Properties are listed and sold within half an hour. We just can't keep up with demand."

Sales manager for Curlewis Park residential estate on Jetty Road, Rod Anderson, said land buyers had also shown strong interest in the new Clifton Springs sub-division.

"We released the first stage of Curlewis Park on April 17 and within two weeks had 31 contracts signed; with about 50 people walking through the sales office door a day," he said.

Anderson explained that most contracts had been signed by local buyers who had been waiting for the land to be released and the website was still to be developed; so huge interest was expected once the marketing programme expanded to include buyers outside the region.

"Curlewis Park is very affordable compared to the rest of Victoria and it adds a lot of extra infrastructure for the local community," Anderson said.

"Parcels of land range from $135,000 to $166,000 and good design principals are an important feature. There can only be one house per lot, front gardens are being encouraged and housing will be modern-contemporary in keeping with the bayside environment."

The property surge is not restricted to new blocks, however, with new precedents being set for existing Bellarine homes and properties across all price ranges.

BFP director, Bruce Falk, who sold the iconic Spray Farm property for $7.05 million last month, said the result was a positive boost for the area and there was no doubt Bellarine property prices would continue to rise.

"It was an exceptional result considering it is a post global financial crisis price. We had five or six potential buyers bidding above $6.3 million," he said.

"But my background is the Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine is probably still 75 per cent cheaper, based on the Spray Farm sale price."

He said understanding the market and the value of Mornington properties explained why the Bellarine had enormous growth opportunities.

"The reason Melbourne people started buying on the Mornington Peninsula was because it was an escape from the population, but the Bellarine now has two-thirds less population and is so much cheaper," Falk said.