DCSCA submits "Top 6" proposals to council's budget program

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The Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community Association Inc. (DCSCA) has today lodged its “Top 6” projects with the City of Greater Geelong’s Community Budget Submissions program.

Oh really?

The program invites community groups and organisations to submit proposals for consideration as the council prepares its 2016-17 budget.

Eligible projects would consist of capital works on council assets, but there is plenty of opportunity for local ‘in kind’ contributions by local communities. For example, DCSCA has good links with local clubs, groups and schools; and it would be happy to assist in collecting information for scoping studies and in disseminating their results for public comment.

Below are abbreviated versions of DCSCA’s Top 6 projects. (It was meant to be “Top 5”, but three projects tied for 4^th place!)

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1. A Swimming Pool at the Drysdale Sports Precinct

The council should create an indoor/outdoor swimming pool and related facilities as part of the Drysdale Sport Precinct, to service the central Bellarine. Council officers have said that the population of Drysdale and Clifton Springs needs be 45,000 to justify a pool; but this figure is based on a recommendation from 2008 – six  years ago – since when the advice and recommendations of health and leisure professionals has changed significantly. For instance, in March 2012, Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) recommended that a 25m pool should be provided for a population of 30,000 people (http://www.parksleisure.com.au/documents/item/1280).

If a pool in Drysdale were to open tomorrow, it would serve a population of over 35,000 (i.e. well over the PLA recommendation), with summer holiday-makers increasing the figure to approximately 55,000. However, Drysdale is a designated Growth Area, which means that its population will increase to approximately 40,000 by 2019; with summer holiday-makers increasing the figure to approximately 65,000. At the same time, the pressure on Ocean Grove's already overcrowded pool will continue to grow independently, as it, too, is a designated Growth Area; and the imminent closure of the privately owned pool in Portarlington will only make a bad situation even worse.

The project should be in four stages:

1: A scoping study to determine community support; to forecast needs, patronage, benefits and, therefore, design; and to estimate costs.

2: Construct the swimming pool.

3: Construct a Wellness Centre (Hydrotherapy, Gym, Spa, Sauna).

4: Construct waterslides, a diving pool and a competition pool.

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Objectives of the project

·      To provide long-term, water-based sporting, health, educational and social benefits to people of the central Bellarine Peninsula, especially the 3,500 students at 3 local kindergartens and 6 local schools.

·      To reduce the costs and the 'carbon footprint' of travel to and from existing pools (e.g. Ocean Grove - over-subscribed already)

·      To increase and diversify local employment and career opportunities.

·      To provide a new attraction to potential tourists.

·      To create economies of scale (infrastructure and staff) by locating it in the Sports Precinct.

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2. A lookout tower on Murradoc Hill, Drysdale

The council should design and build a lookout tower on Murradoc Hill, in Drysdale. This is the highest point of the Bellarine Peninsula and it offers panoramic views around the peninsula and over Port Philip Bay to the Mornington Peninsula. A lookout tower at this location would be a ‘must see’ destination – not just for tourists but for Bellarine residents, too. Its attraction would increase traffic in Murradoc Road, offering businesses increasing custom; and the commissioning process could favour local architects and builders, while still seeking value for money.

The project should be in 3 stages:

1: A scoping study to determine community support; to forecast patronage and benefits; to determine site ownership and management; and to set design parameters.

2. Invite proposals (including costs) by competitive tender, actively encouraging local architects and builders to apply, and put them on display for public comment and voting.

3. Commission the construction of the tower and any associated infrastructure.

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Objectives of the project:

·      To provide the Bellarine Peninsula with an iconic tourist attraction

·      To increase custom in the  businesses on Murradoc Road

·      To emphasise the tower’s ‘localness’ by actively involving local architects and builders in its design and construction.

3. A Railway Museum at Drysdale Station

The council should collaborate with Bellarine Railway to design and build a Railway Museum at Drysdale Station, as part of Bellarine Railway’s continuing program of renovating and upgrading its sites and rolling stock. The project is likely to attract funds from state and federal governments’ regional funding and from historical and/or rail societies. It is also very likely to attract ‘crowd funding’ (fund-raising online) from rail enthusiasts across the state.

The Museum should be run by a Trust; the council would have no responsibility for its maintenance.

The project should be in 3 stages:

1: A scoping study to determine community support; to forecast patronage and benefits; to determine site ownership and management; to investigate possible sources of Museum contents; and to set design parameters.

2. Invite proposals (including costs) by competitive tender, actively encouraging local architects and builders to apply, and put them on display for public comment and voting.

3. Commission the construction of the Museum.

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Objectives of the project:

·      To enhance the attractiveness and social/historical standing of the Bellarine Railway

·      To add to the Bellarine Historical Society’s status as a portal to the region’s history

·      To offer visitors to the area an added incentive to travel on the Bellarine Railway and/or to walk or cycle on the Bellarine Rail Trail.

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4. An artificial reef for the Clifton Springs fishing jetty

The council should design and build an artificial reef for the Clifton Springs fishing jetty, as part of its continuing program of improving the stability, access and attractiveness of the Clifton Springs foreshore. The reef will increase fish numbers by offering a relatively safe environment, making the area more attractive to recreational fishers. If practicable, the reef should be made partly or wholly of glass, contributing to the area’s growing reputation as a centre of glass-related activity.

The project is likely to attract funds from state and federal governments’ regional funding. It is also likely to attract ‘crowd funding’ (fund-raising online) from fishing enthusiasts in the region.

The project should have 3 stages:

1: A scoping study to determine community support; to forecast the effects on the usage of the fishing jetty; to determine management of the reef; and to set design parameters.

2. Invite proposals (including costs) by competitive tender and put them on display for public comment and voting. Actively encourage local businesses and glass artists to apply, while still seeking value for money.

3. Commission the construction of the reef.

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Objectives of the project:

·      To ensure that fishing at the jetty is sustainable by increasing fish numbers

·      To promote the work of relevant local businesses and glass artists.

4. An artificial reef for The Dell, Clifton Springs

The council should design and build an artificial reef for The Dell at Clifton Springs, as part of its continuing program of improving the stability, access and attractiveness of the Clifton Springs foreshore. The reef will increase the area’s attraction – especially to snorkellers - because it will increase fish numbers by offering a relatively safe environment. Also, it will offer a picturesque view from The Dell lookout. If practicable, the reef should be made partly or wholly of glass, contributing to the area’s growing reputation as a centre of glass-related activity.

The project is likely to attract funds from state and federal governments’ regional funding. It is also likely to attract ‘crowd funding’ (fund-raising online) from snorkelling enthusiasts in the region.

The project should be in 3 stages:

1: A scoping study to determine community support; to forecast the effects on patronage of The Dell; to determine management of the reef; and to set design parameters.

2. Invite proposals (including costs) by competitive tender and put them on display for public comment and voting. Actively encourage local businesses and glass artists to apply, while still seeking value for money.

3. Commission the construction of the reef.

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Objectives of the project:

·      To enhance The Dell’s attractiveness a) by increasing fish numbers to encourage snorkelling and b) by offering a picturesque view from The Dell lookout

·      To promote the work of relevant local businesses and glass artists.

 4. Improved access to the Clifton Springs foreshore at Beacon Point

The council should create a new easy and safe access to the foreshore at Beacon Point, as part of its continuing program of improving safety and access at the Clifton Springs foreshore. Easy access and signage should encourage residents and visitors to walk east and west along the Clifton Springs foreshore – perhaps even to take the 2-hour scenic foreshore walk to Portarlington.

The project should have 3 stages:

1: A scoping study to determine community support; to forecast the effects on the foreshore and its infrastructure; and to set design parameters.

2. Invite proposals (including costs) by competitive tender and put them on display for public comment and voting. Actively encourage local businesses to apply, while still seeking value for money.

3. Commission the construction of the new access point.

Objectives of the project:

·      To encourage greater use of the Clifton Springs foreshore for health & recreation.

·      To promote the work of local businesses involved in the project.

Signage for Scenic Trails in Drysdale and Clifton Springs (also submitted)

The council should provide signage at strategic points to identify existing scenic trails for walkers and cyclists. The trails link points of interest and scenic locations around Drysdale and Clifton Springs, such as The Dell Lookout, Lake Lorne, McLeod’s Waterholes and Griggs Creek.

Identifying and promoting these scenic trails will attract more visitors to Geelong and the Bellarine, which DCSCA believes could become an internationally-recognized destination for recreational walkers and cyclists. DCSCA has actively promoted scenic trails in Drysdale, Clifton Springs and the Bellarine Peninsula more broadly. As a result, some are identified in the REMA Tourist Information Map and in the 2014 North Bellarine Business and Services Directory.

The project could start with four signs: at Drysdale Station, the Boat Harbour, The Dell lookout and a location on the Rail Trail.

The project is likely to attract sponsorship, because State and Federal Governments, businesses and service groups would be glad to be associated with it.

Objectives of the project

·      To promote the central Bellarine to potential tourists, especially recreational walkers and cyclists.

·      To reduce health costs by improving community health and well-being through active recreation and social activity.