DCSCA meets Cllr. John Doull (7)

On 11 November, DCSCA Committee members met Councillor John Doull at City Hall. This was the seventh of the quarterly meetings that DCSCA has initiated with the two City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) Councillors whose wards coincide with DCSCA's area - the other is Councillor Rod Macdonald, whom we met on 4 November.

Beacon Point Reserve Masterplan
Continuing our discussions about the proposed Beacon Point Reserve at our last two meetings*, Cr. Doull said that he wanted the Masterplan in place so that the Reserve had some sort of protection. We told Cr. Doull that a 'Beacon Point Friends' group has started; he said that he would be happy to meet the group. ('Beacon Point Friends' was formed as a result of a DCSCA Public Meeting on October 5, but is independent of DCSCA.)
(* 'DCSCA meets Cr. John Doull [6]', 11 August 2011; 'DCSCA meets Cr. John Doull [5]' 12 May 2011 on this blog.)

Bellarine Lookout
Continuing our discussion about the proposed Bellarine Lookout at our last meeting*, Cr. Doull said that CoGG has withdrawn the review, as it was not happy with the consultant’s report on the issue. CoGG wants a lookout on the Bellarine and is aware of the economic value associated with its location. Thus, while Cr Doull accepts the ec onomic value of locating the lookout in Drysdale, his ward also includes other towns on the north of the Bellarine Peninsula. Further consultation with local people on this issue will occur in 2012.
(* 'DCSCA meets Cr. John Doull [6]' 11 August 2011 on this blog.)

Traffic matters
Cr Doull said that the decision as to whether to place 'Welcome to Drysdale' signs on Murradoc Road and on Portarlington Rd will not be taken until another project is completed. He has spoken to CoGG's City Services and to VicRoads about making the traffic lights in Drysdale High Street flash amber (similar to those in Ryrie Street, central Geelong).

Coastal matters
Cr. Doull reported on a number of issues related to the coastline at Drysdale & Clifton Springs:
The Boat Harbour. Dredging has been set back a week by the contractors.
Coastal erosion. CoGG is monitoring the slippage at The Dell and will shortly review the erosion at Edgewater, with a view to reducing the wave impact on the cliff face (e.g. installing more groynes, a sea wall). Cr. Doull has discussed this issue with CoGG CEO Stephen Griffin and with CoGG Mayopr Cr. John Mitchell. Work on the Dell itself is being considered, including replacing asphalt with grass in areas that don't need it.

Town matters
We told Cr. Doull that there is concern about vandalism occurring at the end of Beacon Point Road. We also raised the future of the fountain (currently unused) in Clifton Springs. The Clifton Springs Golf Club has apparently discussed creating a fountain in their lakes and DCSCA is keen to see a piece of sculpture in the town that better reflects its current character.

Drysdale bypass
We emphasised that a bypass is extremely important for the health of the town and that the only way to minimise the current effects of traffic going through the roundabouts and the High Street is to give heavy vehicles and through traffic an alternative route.

Cr. Doull agreed, but said that he - like CoGG in general - regards a Ring Road from the Surf Coast Highway to the Bellarine Highway as a higher priority. We replied that we support that proposed Ring Road and would like to see a cycle path alongside it, connecting the proposed Barwon Riverside Trail to the Rail Trail.

However, a Drysdale bypass is a greater priority for local people. Not only would it make the town safer for both motorists and pedestrians, it could also contribute significantly to the town's economic development, especially in concert with an extension of the 'Light Industrial' zone in Murradoc Road. DCSCA

Next meeting
DCSCA's next quarterly meeting with Cr. Doull will be on Thursday 2 February 2012 at 10.30 a.m. at City Hall. Any residents of the Drysdale/Clifton Springs area are welcome to ask DCSCA to raise any issue of concern with Cr. Doull.