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.