Glass birds come to Drysdale

Monday 3^rd December 2018 will see the opening of Glass Inspirations – an exhibition of local glass art at Drysdale’s Café Zoo with the theme “Birds of the Bellarine Peninsula”.

The exhibition is the first event in the 2019 Festival of Glass, initiated in 2011 by the Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community Association (now the Drysdale, Clifton Springs Curlewis Association). A sub-committee of the Association runs the annual Festival.

Local glass artists have created a variety of small and large pieces of glass art jewellery and sculptures for Glass Inspirations. Each piece will be unique and hand-crafted on the Peninsula, making them ideal gifts.

Visitors to Glass Inspirations can admire the pieces of glass art, identify the birds and, perhaps, buy one of these unique pieces. If the pressure of having to choose gets too much, Café Zoo can always supply a restorative snack!

Glass Inspirations will run from Monday Dec 3rd to Monday February 11th 2019, between 9.00am and 5.00pm at Café Zoo, 23 High St, Drysdale.

Thinking long term about local transport

DCSCA Committee members were among the local people who met Shadow Minister for Public Transport David Hodgett on 10 May at SpringDale Neighbourhood Centre.

Mr. Hodgett was interested in local opinion on a Bellarine Light Rail service; attendees favoured increased bus services, as they would be more flexible.

DCSCA Treasurer Doug Carson has suggested that a light rail service between Geelong and Drysdale would require huge amounts of infrastructure, including stations (with associated parking), rolling stock, drivers, auxiliary staff and perhaps a new tunnel between Kilgour Street and the Geelong Station.

At first sight, then, improving and extending the current bus network would be a simpler, cheaper and quicker way forward. However, before a final decision is taken, there needs to be research to discover:

·      potential routes for:

a) a Bellarine Light Rail system

b) an extended and improved bus network

·      likely patronage of the likely routes in 5, 20 and 50 years time

·      costs of establishing and running:

a) a Bellarine Light Rail system – probably in stages

b) an extended and improved bus network

·      potential funding sources for the construction and maintenance of:

a) a Bellarine Light Rail system

b) an extended and improved bus network.

Population drives policy

Population levels will determine the area’s transport needs, so any decisions about the area’s transport services must be set against the likely population of the Bellarine Peninsula and, indeed, Geelong as a whole in 5, 20 and 50 years time. Therefore, any plan for transport just on the Bellarine needs to be set in the context of a long-term plan for transport in the area as a whole.

DCSCA Committee member Neil McGuinness has suggested that such a long term transport plan should nor just expand the present transport network but also innovate, including such ideas as:

·      extending the Geelong Ring Road to the Bellarine

·      creating road, rail and ferry connections to Avalon Airport (should these be provided publicly, privately or in some combination?)

·      ferry services in Corio Bay and Port Phillip Bay

·      cycle paths - recreational and commuting

·      a road and rail connection between Queenscliff and Point Nepean.

Better transport for commuters or jobs closer to home?

Whatever the content of a long term transport plan for the area, its major aim shouldn’t be to improve commuting. Instead, it should aim to prevent ever-more people commuting out of the area by creating business and jobs for the expanding population of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula.

The City of Greater Geelong has actively encouraged the creation of ever more housing estates, home to many thousands of residents, without ensuring that there are jobs to support them. The result is the creation of 'dormitory towns' as an increasing number of people on the Bellarine joining commuters from Geelong on the hours-long commuter trek to and from central Melbourne on roads that were never expected to carry the current levels of traffic.

CoGG's drive to expand the population of the Bellarine must be accompanied by plans to expand and diversify employment. As a rule of thumb, a new job should be created for each house built. That would at least start to match economic growth with population growth; and transport needs would be for easy, fast connections within the Geelong and Bellarine area, as well as between this area and Melbourne.

Earlier articles on this blog have discussed a Bellarine Light Rail service. Search for these dates:
8 October 2011; 13 December 2011; 10 May 2013.

Bellarine Peninsula misses out on ferry trial

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(Source: Herald-Sun)

Businessman Paul Little has announced that on May 16, it will start an eight-week trial of a ferry service between Point Cook and Docklands that won’t include a stop on the Bellarine Peninsula.

In the trial, a catamaran will ferry 400 passengers indoors from Wyndham Harbour near Point Cook, to Docklands' Victoria Harbour in the CBD in the morning peak time; and will return during the evening peak time. Mr Little's Little Group has established a new company - Port Phillip Ferries – to run the service, which will take around 70 minutes each way. The new company wants to reduce the travel time, which it says is due to low speed limits on the Yarra River.

An adult return fare will cost around $20 during the trial, while the normal cost will be $25 for an online booking and $29 if bought on the day, with discounts for seniors, children and concession cardholders. Parking at Wyndham Harbour marina will be included in the fare and ferry passengers will have free wi-fi access.

 

Still no ferry for the Bellarine

When Mr Little first floated his plan for a ferry service in October 2015, it included a stop at Portarlington, but Mr Little said more work was needed to allow ferries to berth there. "We'd be very happy to run the ferries out of Portarlington if the demand was there", he said.

The infrastructure for a Portarlington ferry stop will be completed in the months after the Port Phillip Ferries trial. The 2016 state budget includes money for Stage Two of the $15m ‘safe harbour’ at Portarlington, which includes docking for ferry services and is due to be completed in the 2016-2017 financial year. The budget also includes $107m to build the long-awaited Drysdale bypass which, once complete, will make a Portarlington ferry a more attractive option for people from the western Bellarine who commute to Melbourne.

Begging the question

Point Cook residents who have to spend hours a day travelling to and from jobs in the city would welcome a ferry between Wyndham Harbour and Melbourne’s CBD. Similarly, Bellarine Peninsula residents forced to commute to Melbourne would welcome a ferry between Portarlington and the CBD – either as part of the proposed Port Phillip Ferries service or in addition to it.

However, such ferry services solve a problem that shouldn’t have been created – insufficient business and jobs for the expanding population of Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. The City of Greater Geelong has actively encouraged the creation of ever more housing estates, home to many thousands of residents, without ensuring that there are jobs to support them. The result is the creation of 'dormitory towns' as an increasing number of people on the Bellarine joining commuters from Geelong on the hours-long commuter trek to and from central Melbourne.

For example, when the Curlewis ‘growth area’ on the outskirts of Drysdale is completed, it will house  around 16,000 people, yet the area is virtually deserted during the day (apart from builders and tradies building more houses), because so many of its residents are commuters. The only jobs are at the small shopping centre, with its Woolworth supermarket and a handful of ‘speciality’ shops and even these will be at risk as the Leopold shopping centre expands from its present 5,000m² to 65,000m² by 2021. (See “More shops, no vision” [13 October 2013] on this blog.)

Creating a jobs drain

An expanded Leopold shopping centre will drain custom from elsewhere on the Bellarine, just as shopping centres in Waurn Ponds and Corio Village have drained custom from central Geelong. The shopping centres provide some new jobs, but most are relatively low-skilled, low-paid and with very limited career paths. Why are there no plans to provide other sorts of jobs?

CoGG's drive to expand the population of the Bellarine must be accompanied by plans to expand and diversify employment. As a rule of thumb, a new job should be created for each house built. That would at least start to match economic growth with population growth.

2016 Festival "Best yet"

--> The sixth annual Festival of Glass was the biggest yet, presenting a greater variety of events over a longer period.

2016 Festival of Glass Expo

Festival events happened over the two weeks between February 14th and 27th and included new features to spark visitors’ interest, as well old favourites.

From 1 February, people started searching businesses in the area for ‘Tiny Treasures’ – glass ornaments that are clues in a Treasure Hunt with dozens of prizes. Twenty-one local businesses participated, each placing a poster in its window identifying it. People who completed their Treasure Hunt firm placed them in - you guessed - a treasure chest at the Festival Expo on Sunday 21 February to receive their prize.

 

“Each year’s Festival introduces new features and this year’s is no exception”, said Festival Convenor Doug Carson. “This year saw the first ever Treasure Hunt, with twenty one local businesses sponsoring and displaying pieces of glass art. This was a unique blend of commerce and art that we plan to continue.”

Each day, something new

On Sunday 14 February, around thirty people attended the Bellarine Historical Society’s historic bottle workshop at Drysdale’s Court House Museum. They brought with them their old bottles and some learnt to their pleasure that their bottles' had not just sentimental value, but monetary value, too!

The Masterclass begins

On Friday 19 February, seventy-five people attended a glass art Masterclass at Leura Park winery, Curlewis. The audience enjoyed drinks and nibbles while they watched two master glass artists - Peter Minson and Mark Eliott - create replicas of the locally endangered Orange-bellied Parrot and Hooded Plover. The replicas were then auctioned, to support the work of local groups trying to conserve the birds.

Images of the birds were also created at the Festival Expo on Sunday 21 February at Christian College in Drysdale. More than four thousand visitors attended, and were offered chances to help create a mosaic of the Hooded Plover and a bead woven hanging of the Orange-bellied Parrot. The glass replicas, mosaic and wall hanging will tour the region in the next few months, publicising the birds’ plight and showcasing these different forms of glass art.

Expo visitors toured the 45 exhibitors, watched demonstrations and created some glass art for themselves. The Expo also features the Glass Art Awards ceremony, the Treasure Hunt draw, ‘Glass on Film’ (short films about glass) and a raffle for glass art collectibles.

Hot glass work for Seniors

The previous Saturday (20 February) saw another Festival first - an ‘outreach’ workshop for seniors at Drysdale's Senior Citizens Club. Around twenty people attended and had their first try at working with hot glass, under the watchful eyes of Peter Minson and Mark Eliott.

Hot glass for Drysdale's Senior Citizens

“We’re especially pleased with this year’s new features”, said Festival convenor Doug Carson, “because they’re the result of collaboration between the Festival and community groups. When new groups come on board, it broadens the Festival’s support base and offers the community new ways to be involved”.

DCSCA submits further proposals to council's budget program

The Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community Association Inc. (DCSCA) has lodged a further six project proposals with the City of Greater Geelong’s Community Budget Submissions program.

Somewhere .....

The association had lodged its ‘Top 6’ project proposals already with the program, which invites community groups and organisations to submit proposals for the council’s 2016-17 budget. (See “DCSCA submits ‘Top 6’ proposals to council’s budget program” [19 November 2015] on this blog.)

To be considered in the Community Budget Submissions program, projects must consist of capital works on council assets, although no explanation is given for this requirement.

On the public agenda

Most of DCSCA’s submissions – especially its “Top 6” - meet that criterion. However, there are plenty of projects that don’t involve capital works on council assets, but would improve the wellbeing of the Drysdale & Clifton Springs community, often at little cost. Consequently, DCSCA has lodged proposals for these projects in order to keep them on the public agenda.

DCSCA's latest six submissions are listed in summary below.

1. Signage and Seating for “Springs Street Reserve” (approaching The Dell)

The council should install attractive signage and seating identifying the Reserve, to complement its recent beautification of this council owned land and to promote the area as a place of recreation. Little additional maintenance would be required, as the Council mows and maintains the area already.

Project objective:

* To enhance community wellbeing by continuing to beautify the Reserve and by promoting it as a place of passive recreation, where people can watch native birds and enjoy the ecosystem of the Reserve, The Dell and the foreshore.

Cost: $2,000.00

DCSCA has conducted community planting days to re-vegetate The Dell and would be happy to assist in any way with this project.

2. Toilets at the Jetty Road Reserve (Clifton Springs)

The council should provide toilets (for men, women and people with disabilities) at the Jetty Road Reserve, Clifton Springs. They would serve the Reserve and the nearby Curlewis shopping centre and would be an amenity for travelers along Jetty Road and walkers on the foreshore.

Project objectives:

* To encourage recreation at the Reserve by improving its amenities.

* To increasing the Reserve’s appeal to children by complementing the forthcoming play equipment.

Cost: $100,000.00

3. Scoping Study: Spring Water Dispensing Feature on the Clifton Springs foreshore

The council should reclaim the beach at the site of the historic mineral springs, as part of its current work to combat erosion and land slippage along the Clifton Springs Foreshore. While such reclamation is underway, the council should initiate a Scoping Study to investigate the practicalities and costs of installing a Spring Water Dispensing Feature at the site of the historic mineral springs on the Clifton Springs foreshore.

The Scoping Study should determine the cost of the project and recommend potential funding sources. Scoping Study personnel should include representatives of federal, state and local government, Tourism Geelong and the Bellarine and the Bellarine Historical Society, plus local community groups; and the study should invite input by appropriate experts and artists. Once the relevant stretch of beach has been reclaimed, the findings of the Scoping Study should direct the installation of a Spring Water Dispensing Feature. DCSCA understands that the spring water has been tested and declared safe to drink.

A Spring Water Dispensing Feature would be a significant contribution to the preservation of the mineral springs, which played a significant role in the development of Clifton Springs. If this feature was accompanied by a designated and signed Clifton Springs Foreshore Walk, it would attract locals and tourists alike, growing the local economy.

Project objective:

* To determine the practicalities and costs of installing a Spring Water Dispensing Feature on the Clifton Springs foreshore.

Cost: $25,000.00

DCSCA has conducted community planting days to re-vegetate The Dell and would be happy to assist in any way with the Scoping Study.

4. A Scenic Route for the Bellarine Peninsula

The council should designate a coastal route around the Bellarine Peninsula, from Geelong through Queenscliffe to Torquay and linking to the Great Ocean Road. DCSCA believes that the many scenic routes in Geelong and the Bellarine could make the region an internationally recognized destination for recreational walkers and cyclists. Designating and promoting these scenic trails will attract more visitors to the region, growing its economy.

The route should be called “Wathaurong Way”, to acknowledge the area’s original and continuing residents - the Wathaurong people. The council and tourism authorities should promote Wathaurong Way, using the promotion of the Great Ocean Road as a model, i.e. through roadside signage, print and electronic advertising and a booklet at Tourist Information centres.

Project objectives:

* To promote and encourage walking and cycling in the region, thus improving community health and well-being, reducing obesity and, therefore, health costs.

* To grow the local economy and increase local employment by increasing the region’s attraction to tourists – especially recreational walkers and cyclists.

Cost: $50,000.00. Some or all of the cost could be met through sponsorship. This is the type of activity with which federal and state governments would wish to be associated, as would commercial enterprises and community service groups.

For the last couple of years, DCSCA has actively promoted the region’s scenic trails. As a result, some are now identified in the REMA Tourist Information Map and in the North Bellarine Business & Services Directory. DCSCA has volunteer insurance and members would be happy to assist in any way with this project.

5. Promoting the region’s scenic walking and cycling trails

The council should designate and promote the region’s scenic routes by creating roadside signage and a booklet of maps to be available at Tourist Information Centres. DCSCA believes that the many scenic routes in Geelong and the Bellarine could make the region an internationally recognized destination for recreational walkers and cyclists. Designating and promoting these scenic trails will attract more visitors to the region, growing its economy.

Project objectives:

* To make the Bellarine more attractive to tourists, thus growing its economy and increasing local employment.

* To promote and encourage walking and cycling, thus improving community health and well-being, reducing obesity and, therefore, health costs.

Cost: $50,000.00. Some or all of the cost could be met through sponsorship. This is the type of activity with which federal and state governments would wish to be associated, as would commercial enterprises and community service groups.

DCSCA has been actively promoting scenic trails in the region for some time. As a result, some are now identified in the REMA Tourist Information Map and in the North Bellarine Business & Services Directory. DCSCA has volunteer insurance and members would be happy to assist in any way with this project.

6. Scoping Study: Extending the Geelong Ring Road to the Bellarine Peninsula

The council should initiate a Scoping Study to identify the needs, costs and benefits (safety, economic and environmental) of extending the Geelong Ring Road to the Bellarine Peninsula and recommend potential funding sources. The Study should also determine the relative benefits of constructing the Ring Road extension entirely or partially as a freeway. The Scoping Study personnel should include representatives of federal, state and local government, Tourism Geelong and local community groups.

Project objectives:

* To reduce traffic congestion in Central Geelong, improving its ambience and safety, reducing its chemical and noise pollution and increasing its attraction to tourists

* To reduce traffic through Geelong’s suburbs and through townships on the Bellarine Peninsula, increasing the Bellarine Peninsula’s attraction as a tourist destination

* To improve access to the Geelong Ring Road, particularly for traffic from Armstrong Creek, Moolap and the Bellarine Peninsula.

* To hasten travel between the Bellarine Peninsula and Melbourne or regional Victoria, compared with travelling through Geelong.

Cost: $50,000 – $80,000.

For several years, DCSCA has lobbied for the Geelong Ring Road to be extended to the Bellarine Peninsula. DCSCA has volunteer insurance and members would be happy to assist the Scoping Study in any way. 

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.