Surf Coast Times & Bellarine Times

We would like to wish all Queenscliffe Borough residents and visitors a very happy New Year. We hope 2012 will be a happy and prosperous year for you all.

We can all look forward to some very exciting developments in the borough this year as Council embarks on a significant program of works including $1.1 million in infrastructure improvements and a further $1 million on roads.

A key goal will be to continue to work towards resolving the situation regarding the borough’s boundaries. Council is seeking government support for the Victorian Electoral Commission to conduct a plebiscite on the issue, with a view to moving the boundary west of Fellows Road to incorporate all of Point Lonsdale.

To this end, we have made a presentation to the Premier and the Deputy Premier following an indifferent response from the Minister. Even if we need to fund the plebiscite, Council will need to give further consideration following the outcome of our recent submissions.

Also, this year we look forward to conclusion of the walk from the pier to the ferry, development of the Toc H and Shortlands Bluff sites, and conclusion to deliberations regarding the old Queenscliff High School site.

Things to do
The borough’s population is again swelling with day visitors and holidaymakers enjoying our beautiful, clean beaches, fantastic facilities and many attractions. While we’ve been lucky to start the year with plenty of sunshine, there’s no shortage of things to do whatever the weather brings.

A range of community and sporting events is held throughout January and February, including many that are free and great fun for the whole family.

There’s tours of the Fort, Heritage Walks, Point Lonsdale lighthouse tours, the summer carnival at Princess Park, Twilight Bowls at Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale bowling clubs, Pancake Train Rides, markets and much more.

For information about these and other events in January please visit the Borough of Queenscliffe’s website: www.queenscliffe.vic.gov.au.

The Classic Rip Swim
The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club and its many volunteers are to be congratulated on this outstanding event on January 2, which not only had a record entry, but a very significant number of spectators. This annual event is a great sporting activity within the borough and we would encourage all members of the community to support the Surf Lifesaving Club when they conduct their annual door-knock appeal.

We are emphasising that this important community activity, from December through to April, is manned by a strong volunteer base and we would encourage local swimmers to seriously consider joining this very active club.

Monahan Centre
Our local member, Lisa Neville MLA, recently toured the centre and witnessed the significant development which has taken place following grants from the former Labor State Government, Council and the sporting bodies themselves.

To assist with further development, the sporting bodies are running a “buy a brick” activity and we would again encourage full support from our citizens and visitors.

Australia Day celebrations
The borough is once again supporting the annual Australia Day celebrations at the Town Hall on January 26. All residents are invited to come and join in the fun from 11am to 1pm.

Activities will include a sausage sizzle, entertainment, children’s activities and each family will take home a free native plant. The Borough’s Australia Day ambassadors will also be presented, so don’t miss this fantastic community event.

Fire safety
Already we’ve had a warm start to the year, which is great news for local businesses and those wanting to enjoy the beaches, but bad news in terms of fire risk.

As fire authorities keep reminding us, it only takes a couple of weeks of hot, dry weather to create dangerous conditions for fires, particularly grass fires.

Local residents and visitors should be prepared for fire and have a plan for when the Fire Danger Rating is SEVERE, EXTREME or CODE RED.

Important community bushfire safety information is provided to help residents and visitors to make informed decisions about how to survive a bushfire.

Council has released a draft Municipal Fire Management Plan (MFMP), which charts the planned and coordinated implementation of measures designed to minimise the occurrence and mitigate the effect of bushfires in the entire Borough of Queenscliffe.

This plan aims to respond to the community’s needs, values and perceived risks. These can be viewed and downloaded at www.queenscliffe.vic.gov.au.

Bob Merriman
Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe