Next month there will be three ‘Meet the Candidates’ forums across the Bellarine as we move into the official election campaign period. The Combined Bellarine Community Associations (CBCA) is working with each of the Bellarine’s community associations to hold these events. The key dates are:
Monday November 7 at Drysdale’s Potato Shed – this event involves the associations from Portarlington, Drysdale, Clifton Springs and Curlewis, St Leonards and Indented Head, in conjunction with Pulse FM Radio, at 7.30pm
Thursday November 10 at Barwon Heads Hall, organised by Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove associations at 7pm
Wednesday November 16, 7.30pm at Point Lonsdale Primary School, organised by Point Lonsdale and Queenscliffe associations
Pre-polling starts on November 14 and election day is November 26. These events are great opportunities to engage directly with our candidates on issues that concern you. We expect that a range of candidates, and parties, will be involved.
Media Release – The Hon Daniel Andrews MP – Friday, 7 October 2022
PROTECTING THE ICONIC BELLARINE PENINSULA
The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its promise to protect Victoria’s beautiful Bellarine Peninsula and its cherished environment from overdevelopment.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville today visited Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club to deliver the Labor Government’s Statement of Planning Policy for the Bellarine Peninsula’s ‘distinctive area and landscape’ (DAL) – setting out a 50-year vision for the region to guide development controls and boundaries.
The Bellarine Peninsula is one of Victoria’s most prized tourism and recreation destinations with its stunning beaches, rural landscapes and historic towns including Queenscliff and Portarlington.
The draft policy locks in protected settlement boundaries for all townships, to ensure the Bellarine’s agricultural areas, landscapes, environmental features, small villages and towns are protected from inappropriate development and direct future growth to strategic locations.
The Peninsula was declared a DAL in 2019, recognising that its beautiful coastal environment, unique green spaces, local producers, and lifestyle, were under pressure from urban overdevelopment.
The 2019 declaration triggered the need for a Statement of Planning Policy for the area, to ensure the landscapes, unique environmental and cultural values of the Bellarine are protected and enhanced for many decades to come.
The final draft policy was developed in collaboration with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, the Borough of Queenscliff, the City of Greater Geelong following extensive consultation with community and industry. It was also referred to an independent advisory committee in January 2022.
“We promised to protect our iconic Bellarine Peninsula – and that’s exactly what we’ve done, boosting the local economy and making sure locals and tourists can enjoy this beautiful part of Victoria well into the future.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville
“These reforms give confidence to local residents and businesses that what they love about their community, and surrounding environment, is valued and protected for future generations.”
Media release – Rally to Protect the Bellarine Sunday August 14
More than 150 people gathered at Edwards Point Nature Reserve last Sunday to deliver a very clear message to the State Government – please follow through on your 2018 promise to protect the Bellarine from uncontrolled and inappropriate development. Combined Bellarine Community Associations Chair Dr Lawrence St Leger, and Protect the Bellarine spokesperson Jenny Knox addressed the crowd, urging the Government to move quickly to complete the Bellarine Distinctive Areas and Landscapes process. Both emphasised the importance of protecting township boundaries in preserving the Bellarine’s many special and unique places. Those at the rally were in strong support of the view that urban development into pristine environments and rural landscapes is a challenge to the whole peninsula, threatening the loss of green spaces between Bellarine towns and villages. Also in the crowd were several Bellarine State election candidates, and Legislative Council MP Andy Meddick – a strong supporter of the DAL – a sure sign that this is an important election issue. Decision-making power now rests with Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.
Protecting the Bellarine was one of the State Government’s key regional election promises at the last election.
Community Associations across the Bellarine held the combined rally to ensure the Government is again clearly and loudly reminded of the strong views of the community on protecting the Bellarine through the media coverage a rally could generate.
The rally was held on Sunday 14 August at 10:30am at Edwards Point at St Leonards
This map shows land that may have been purchased by Developers out side town boundaries. It is based on a map produced by the final Bellarine Vic Gov hearings showing locations of presentors. The map has been edited to remove presenters supporting the Bellarine DAL process.
5 August 2022. An enthusiastic group of people gathered at the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve on Friday 5th August to show support for the Bellarine DAL , a state government initiative to identify and protect Distinctive Areas and Landscapes across the Bellarine.
Friday’s group photo is advertising a rally being organised by the CBCA (Combined Bellarine Community Association) to show support for the Bellarine DAL Program. It will be held on 14 August at St Leonards.
For this event we need as many bodies as possible, including Committee members, family and friends and interested residents and groups.
This affects all residents of Bellarine towns including Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Queenscliff and Pt Lonsdale, Indented Head, Curlewis, Barwon Heads, Clifton Springs, Drysdale, Leopold and Portarlington.
We need a good number of people for a Press photograph to show Dan Andrews and the new Planning Minister, Lizzie Blandthorn that we care about protecting our town boundaries.
A Reporter from Times syndicate is lined up to cover the .14 August at St Leonards.
The Protect The Bellarine website is great – Check it out.
Did you know that the DAL Advisory Committee hearing the time allocated to developers and their associateswas approximately 80% . Many were represented by QC’s costing $1000’s per day. 20% of the hearing time was allocated towards to non commercial interests like concerned environment groups and Bellarine Community Associations.
This map illustrates the land on the Bellarine that may be subject to future development if the State Government doesn’t honour its election promise to protect the Bellarine.
It is based on a map from the Bellarine DAL process.
The illustrative map depicts land owned by owners or developers who oppose the proposed settlement boundaries is shown.
You can gauge for yourself the potential future look and feel of our towns if the Andrew’s State Government breaks its promise to protect The Bellarine.
Due to the increasing levels of Covid in the community the OGCA AGM and Guest Speaker Presentation was held via Zoom. We believe this was the responsible approach.
The meeting commenced at 7pm on Wednesday 3 Aug with the AGM taking about 15 minutes and then moved onto our guest speaker Lawry’s presentation. Lawry’s talk, including time for questions, ran for an hour.
Professor Lawry St Leger was the Dean of the Faculty of Health at Deakin University for seven years and has also worked extensively with the World Health Organization in supporting national and international health related programs in Europe, Asia and North America.
Lawry spoke on a range of health related topics with a focus on Connection to Nature and the benefits to and impacts on youth learning of such connections including Australian and international developments and experiences in that space and on social media and youth learning. Lawry will draw on his knowledge and experience and to talk to us in a conversational style including some fascinating anecdotes.
On Tue, Jun 14, 2022 OGCA wrote to Geelong Council requesting updates to several projects raised in the Ocean Grove Urban Design Framework.
Here is Councils response:
Phil Edwards Chairperson Ocean Grove Community Association ogcommunityassn@gmail.com
13 July 2022
Dear Phil,
Re: Ocean Grove UDF
Thank you for your recent correspondence on behalf of the Ocean Grove Community Association regarding works proposed through the Ocean Grove Urban Design Framework and other opportunities.
Please see below update on each item that was listed.
TOWN SIGNAGE
We are currently assessing funding availability through the City’s Capital Works program for signage in key locations around the municipality, including Ocean Grove.
The City has developed draft Township Signage Guidelines, which are currently with the Department of Transport (DoT) for review and approval. The Guidelines outline colour and style criteria for town signage, as well as options for incorporating suitable artwork provided by the local community.
Subject to funding availability, we look forward to working with the Association to develop updated town entrance signage for Ocean Grove.
OCEAN GROVE – PT LONSDALE BIKE PATHS
The initial feasibility planning for Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale shared user path is nearly complete with findings suggesting it is very difficult to create a trail in the road reserve. There is limited space, and the presence of environmental values for both routes along Shell Rd or Creswell Rd provide significant constraints.
Further work is being considered that will be integrated with the Southeast Bellarine Biolink Master Plan process that is currently underway.
I understand a further briefing was provided to the community reference group for the Coastal and Marine Management Plan on the 7th July, and we are happy to provide a further update to the association as we further develop the scope of works for this project.
OCEAN GROVE PRINCIPAL PEDESTRIAN NETWORK – MATURE TREES
With the project still at concept design stage, it is difficult to estimate the final vegetation impact of the Ocean Grove Principal Pedestrian Network (OGPPN). Tree removal will be minimised as much as possible in the final designs, however it is likely that some larger trees will need to be removed. Any removals will be offset by a program of tree planting.
The impact of trees was extensively discussed as part of community consultation for this project, and in some instances, it is proposed to relocate some footpaths to the other side of the road to accommodate this concern. This issue will continue to be considered by the OGPPN working group to ensure it is highlighted, discussed and dealt with in the most appropriate manner.
COMMUNITY HALL/MEETING VENUE
The feedback on the UDF in relation to a future multipurpose community hall/meeting venue has been reflected in the City’s Social Infrastructure Plan (SIP) (adopted 2020).
The SIP identifies the need for Council to undertake an ‘Ocean Grove Community Infrastructure and Services Place-based Needs Study.’ A ‘Needs Study’ will assess the current provision of community infrastructure across the town, and make recommendations for new services or facilities required to meet the needs of the current and future population.
Timing for preparation of this needs study has not yet been confirmed. The OG Community Association will be a key stakeholder in the preparation of the Needs Study.
PRESIDENTS AVE ROUNDABOUTS
Phase 1a of improvements to Presidents Avenue (signalisation of the Presidents Ave/Orton St intersection) was completed by VicRoads in November 2020.
Phase 1b – the installation of roundabouts at The Parade and The Terrace intersections – is not included in the current capital works core program, however it will likely be considered in future budgets.
LANDSCAPING AND STREETSCAPING
The proposed landscaping of ‘green links’ as proposed in the Ocean Grove UDF has been considered by Council a number of times through annual budget processes, however it has not been progressed at this stage. We will continue to put forward these works for Council to consider through the budget process.
We recently received funding through the Victorian Government’s Covid Safe Outdoor Activation Fund for streetscape works in The Terrace, Ocean Grove. These works include the refurbishment of existing seating and installation of new bin surrounds.
The improvements will enhance trader activation, outdoor dining, and overall customer experience of the precinct. Works are expected to be completed by end of August
NEW TOWN SQUARE IN THE TERRACE
The town square site will be secured when the property at 74 The Terrace is redeveloped.
There has been one development application for this site that included the necessary setbacks for the town square, however the application was refused by Council and VCAT as it did not deliver on the objectives on the UDF for the removal of the crossover in The Terrace and use of the rear lane for access.
REAR ACCESS & LOADING ALONG THE TERRACE
The City has made an offer to purchase part of a property at the rear of The Terrace to facilitate access from the west. There is ongoing negotiations with impacted landowners.
HODGSON ST EAST MIXED USE PRECINCT
The Victorian Government has provided in principle agreement to reinvesting the money from the land sale of the surplus road land into the road works. This has been a significant barrier to the project progressing to date.
The developer is currently preparing a detailed design for the signalised intersection at Hodgson Street and The Parade to inform a final feasibility assessment. Community consultation on a planning scheme amendment and redevelopment of Council land will follow. Timing has not been confirmed yet.
We appreciate your interest in these matters and your ongoing advocacy for the Ocean Grove community.
At COGG’s meeting on Tuesday 28 June, 2022, the City of Greater Geelong Council endorsed the draft Southeast Bellarine Coast (4W-Collendina) Coastal and Marine Management Plan for public exhibition and community engagement until 7 August 2022.
Please use the links below to access Councils web site
OCEAN GROVE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Inc – SUBMITTER #067 SUBMISSION TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a submission to The Committee.
WHO DO WE REPRESENT
1. The Ocean Grove Community Association’s membership model has been progressively moving to a hybrid model combining social media based free membership with conventional paid membership for those that chose to pay the small once off fee. This hybrid model better reflects current community trends with the high usage of social media communication by many people in the community.
2. Our membership base is 2,9281 followers on social media and 125 paid membership.
3. In addition to our community membership reach, we have been running an online petition – online because of the Covid-19 limitations. This petition advocates for the retention of the current Ocean Grove Settlement Boundary as reflected in the City of Greater Geelong Settlement Strategy.
4. This petition has 8,417 2 – which we believe demonstrates a clear and loud statement of the community’s desire. All of these people have taken the time to read our online flyer and have decided to sign this petition.
5. The electronic petition, through change.org, was launched on 26 November 2019 and this subsequently allowed people to record their support while maintaining the Covid 19 physical contact restrictions that commence in early 2020. The graphic in the petition was taken from Ocean Grove Structure Plan. The petition highlighted “Developers want the land to the west of Grubb Road, the land east of Banks Road and the strip of land to the north between the current Oakdene housing development and the Bellarine Highway to be included in the Ocean Grove Town Settlement Boundary”.
6. The poster (a copy is included as an attachment to this submission) was produced in January 2020 and was used as a letter box drop across Ocean Grove supported by emails and displaying the poster by some Ocean Grove business. A simplified graphic was used 1 Correct as at 9 May 2022 2 Correct as at 16 May 2022 Page 2 of 13 Submitter # 067 – Ocean Grove Community Association in the poster. A second letter drop of the poster was undertaken in April 2022. In the second letter box drop we used the same poster for consistency of messaging. The poster QR code was linked the Change.org petition which featured the more detailed graphic.
7. In all our efforts and messaging to engage with the community at large the key focus was and continues to be the major risk on the significant landscapes by residential development outside the Ocean Grove Settlement Boundary, in particular:
a. to the west of Grubb Road into the attractive backdrop to the town and as a settlement break with Wallington,
b. into the non-urban break north of Ocean Grove to the Bellarine Highway, and
c. into the open rolling the farm land east of Banks Road
Local community group Repair Cafe Bellarine has set up a new initiative called ‘Reuse me in OG’ where event organisers can borrow reusable tableware kits for free! This initiative will help local events, from kids’ parties to festivals, markets, school fetes and weddings reduce their waste. Event organisers can borrow between 20 and 250 sets of reusable plates, festival plates, bowls, cups and cutlery.
This community service was created after Repair Cafe Bellarine creator, Courtney, noticed that some of the local markets and festivals were still using single-use plastics, despite the community-wide focus on reducing waste.
‘We found that if markets and schools wanted to stop using single-use plastics and swap to reusable tableware, they didn’t have many options available to them, especially for small events with limited budgets. We wanted to create a service that reduced this barrier by making it easily accessible, affordable and easy to use.’
The year ended 30th June 2021 (FY21) was another extraordinarily challenging period for Barwon Coast due to COVID 19 shutdowns. However, we successfully completed several major projects while providing high quality services to the coast and its many users.
The Ocean Grove Community Association AGM and Community Forum with Mayor Asher and Gareth Smith CoGG Director of Planning & Economy has now been moved to a Zoom Webinar format due to Covid restrictions.
The AGM and Community Forum begins 7pm Wednesday 4 August.
You can join the webinar from 6:40pm where you will see information on how the Forum will be run and instructions on how to ask questions of the Mayor and Gareth Smith on the Zoom Webinar format during the Forum.
We encourage you to join the webinar before the start time of 7pm to read the information to help ensure you get the best from the AGM & Forum.
Can’t make it ? The webinar will be recorded and copy will be posted to this website in the week following 4 Aug.
