DEC 19 – JAN 20
COMMUNITY UPDATE
NEW CIVIC PRECINCT UNVEILED
Artist’s impression of the new Civic Precinct.
THE CITY’S NEW CENTRAL OFFICE WILL CREATE A VIBRANT NEW CIVIC PRECINCT, ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. Due to be completed in 2022, our new Mercer Street office will bring together our central Geelong workforce from seven locations. We’re excited to unveil the design for this clever and creative new precinct and announce Quintessential Equity as our appointed development partners. Designed by COX Architecture, our new office will feature a beautiful and sustainable timber design. It will achieve the highest standards of sustainable design, with a 6 Star Green Star Design and As-Built Rating, as well as a 6 Star NABERS Energy Rating. This successfully contributes to our environmental aspirations as a UNESCO City of Design.
www.geelongaustralia.com.au
We’re investing $102.5 million into our new office and Civic Precinct, and our partnership with Quintessential Equity brings the total investment in our region to $200 million. The partnership will drive collaboration, reduce costs and future-proof our workplace needs, without an increase in costs to ratepayers. In fact, the project is expected to generate positive cash flow of $1.2 million per year. Construction of the Civic Precinct is expected to commence in mid-2020 and create almost 900 local jobs, with an estimated 43 per cent of construction costs sourced locally. The design of the new Civic Precinct includes a second commercial
IN THIS EDITION
building, to be funded completely by Quintessential Equity. Find out more about our new Civic Precinct by visiting geelongaustralia.com.au/civicprecinct or scan the QR code to see a video of the precinct design.
3 NEW CONSERVATORY
4 PARKING CHANGES
SUMMER FUN GUIDE LIFT OUT
6 WASTE WISE Sustainable development that supports population growth and protects the natural environment
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8 CHRISTMAS TRAIL MAP
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CONTACT INFORMATION
CITY OF GREATER GEELONG PO Box 104, Geelong VIC 3220 P: 5272 5272 E: contactus@geelongcity.vic.gov.au www.geelongaustralia.com.au CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE 100 Brougham Street, Geelong
NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE TTY VOICE: 133 677 SPEAK AND LISTEN: 1300 555 727
I’m excited to be writing my first Community Update column as your new Mayor. It’s a huge honour to lead this beautiful region and its talented, passionate community, and I take the responsibility very seriously. I’m especially pleased to be working alongside our new Deputy Mayor, Kylie Grzybek. We are the City of Greater Geelong’s first all-female leadership team, but even more significant to me is that we come from the outlying parts of our region. I’m from Ocean Grove – a representative of the Bellarine Ward – and Councillor Grzybek is a member of the Lara community – part of the Windermere Ward.
ISSN 2208-4991
MEET WITH US
COUNCIL MEETINGS – LIVE STREAMED, CITY HALL Tuesday 10 December 2019, 7.00pm Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/ meetings for live streaming and a list of upcoming meetings. Meetings are open to the public.
YOUR COUNCILLORS
MAYOR'S MESSAGE
We are particularly keen to make sure the council’s decisions are in the best interests of the entire Greater Geelong community, representing our rural, coastal and urban residents equally.
We need to start the build of our new Civic Precinct in central Geelong, along with the next stage of the Malop Street Green Spine. These projects are both vital to our vision of a thriving CBD that offers employment, retail and entertainment options for everyone in our region. And we need to stop managing waste in the way councils across the state have traditionally done it. After the events of 2019, it’s time for fresh thinking. I’m confident over the coming year you’ll see this council coming up with some innovative solutions to help us recover and re-use more of the region’s waste, with the ultimate goal of minimising what’s sent to landfill. Enjoy this issue, and please get in touch with your local ward councillors if there’s something you’d like to discuss.
The current council group has built some very positive momentum since our election in late 2017, and over the next 12 months I want to see us keep that good work going. We need to keep listening and responding to the community’s needs, investing heavily in community facilities, and planning carefully to make sure our natural environment and relaxed lifestyle are retained in the midst of continuing population growth.
Cr Stephanie Asher Mayor, City of Greater Geelong
For more information visit geelongaustralia. com.au/councillors
CR STEPHANIE ASHER Mayor Bellarine Ward 0413 369 719 sasher@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR KYLIE GRZYBEK Deputy Mayor Windermere Ward 0434 307 043 kgrzybek@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR ANTHONY AITKEN Windermere Ward 0434 307 044 aaitken@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR BRUCE HARWOOD Kardinia Ward 0434 307 042 bharwood@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR EDDY KONTELJ Brownbill Ward 0455 532 006 ekontelj@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR SARAH MANSFIELD Brownbill Ward 0436 343 642 smansfield@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR JIM MASON AM Bellarine Ward 0434 307 048 jmason@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR PAT MURNANE Kardinia Ward 0434 307 033 pmurnane@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR PETER MURRIHY Brownbill Ward 0434 307 045 pmurrihy@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR RON NELSON Kardinia Ward 0429 531 875 rnelson@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
CR TRENT SULLIVAN Bellarine Ward 0434 307 050 tsullivan@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
This publication is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to improve our communication and engagement with our residents. We make every effort to ensure the information included is accurate at the time of publishing, but it may be subject to change. If you have any ideas to improve Community Update please email: communityupdate@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
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NEWS
OPEN DATA FOR ALL Open, accessible data has been made possible through a national Smart Cities and Suburbs grant. Our Smart City team has created the Geelong Data Exchange to ensure everyone can access, use and share data the city collects.
NEW LOOK BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATORY The newly-renovated Geelong Botanic Gardens Conservatory is now open to the community. The Conservatory has been captivating visitors since it was built in the 1960s. The installation of modern technology has enabled us to re-create the perfect tropical environment and maximise plant growth. A wide variety of plant life from all corners of the tropical world are on display, making for an exciting and diverse spectacle.
The Conservatory is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays. We invite you to visit and be amazed. To see a video of the Conservatory visit geelongaustralia.com.au/gbg or scan the QR code below:
The revitalised area has group seating spaces which are inclusive and accessible for prams and wheelchairs.
PELARGONIUM HOUSE ENJOYS AN UPGRADE Our pelargonium collection has also been revitalised, with renovations carried out on the Pelargonium House that was built in 1972. The historic Geraniaceae collection is now tiered beautifully within the Pelargonium House, and we have now proudly re-erected the Raphael Romanelli Italian marble sculpture of the biblical character Ruth. The Regal Pelargoniums are currently in full bloom, flowering from September to January. For more information, visit geelongaustralia.com.au/gbg
When citizens, businesses, entrepreneurs, students and the technology community have access to robust data it can lead to new ideas, innovations and solutions. The Geelong Tech School is building innovative learning programs for partner secondary schools to teach students how to understand and use data. Having access to local, real-world data via the platform makes for engaging and inspirational classroom activities. Data literacy also teaches analytical thinking and creative insight. Organisations are encouraged to share data to the platform. When data sets come together, new insights can be drawn and new solutions can be found. Open data is an integral way Geelong is becoming a Smart City. You can find it at geelongdataexchange.com.au
BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO LITTLE MALOP A TRIAL OF ACTIVITIES AND MINOR WORKS IS UNDERWAY IN LITTLE MALOP CENTRAL TO HELP CREATE A MORE INVITING PLACE FOR ALL.
The public toilet has been removed, to make way for a raised performance space for performances. The water feature is being reinstated and there will be new festoon lights, children’s play equipment, planter boxes and seating. The results of the trial will help shape the long-term master plan for the space, which will involve extensive community consultation.
WHAT’S ON
Now in its fifth year, Geelong’s Best Busker will be held again this February. It’s the perfect platform for unsigned artists to showcase their talents, with some great prizes on offer. There will be a series of heats on 11, 14 and 18 February before a final round on 21 February, where the winner will be crowned Geelong’s Best Busker. Over 50s Morning Teas
School Christmas Trees Little Malop Central has been transformed into a colourful Christmas wonderland thanks to the artistic talents of local primary school students. Students from 23 schools decorated the plywood Christmas trees.
YOU KNOW? DID
Geelong’s Best Busker
There will be free entertainment for over 50s every Tuesday from 10am-12noon in February and March. Sit back, relax and enjoy a diverse line up of music that changes every week. The first 20 `over 50s’ will receive a free morning tea.
The Geelong Botanic Gardens were established more than a century and a half ago.
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NEWS
CASH SPLASHED IN CENTRAL GEELONG New figures have revealed an 8 per cent growth in spending in central Geelong during the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2017. Dining and entertainment businesses in particular are cashing in, with an extra $18.8 million spent in this sector over the first six months of 2019. On average, consumers are now spending about $610,000 on food and entertainment every day in central Geelong.
Savvy business operators such as Joe Versace, owner of new Gheringhap Street artisan gelato store Augustus Gelatery, are capitalising on the city’s strong economic position. Joe says he was drawn to Geelong by the “incredible rate” of hospitality
development and growth in the city. The economic boost is being driven by the growing residential population and increasing inner-city employment, as well as extensive planning and investment by all tiers of government.
PARKING MADE EASIER
A FREE PARKING TRIAL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN CENTRAL GEELONG, AS THE TICKETLESS PARKING SYSTEM TAKES EFFECT.
19–29 March 2020 Geelong’s unique creative heritage and exciting designdriven future will be showcased to the whole community at Geelong Design Week 2020. The community has embraced Geelong’s global recognition as a UNESCO City of Design, with more than 90 applications from organisations and individuals eager to host events. Design Week events will focus on how design impacts our daily lives, and how thinking outside the square and doing it differently can make life better. Across 11 days from 19–29 March, Design Week will feature workshops, exhibitions, performances, screenings and pop-up installations which explore new ideas and challenge what is possible. You will be able to:
The trial, which began on 1 December, provides motorists with a free 30-minute period in City-managed two-hour parking zones on weekdays.
Tickets no longer need to be displayed in vehicles, with motorists required to enter their vehicle licence plate to complete their parking transaction.
•
Hear from international design experts;
•
Find out how virtual reality can help us see into the past and the future;
It aims to stimulate further interest in the CBD and encourage a higher number of short-term visitors.
A new app, by EasyPark, allows visitors to conduct up-to-the-minute remote transactions, limiting the paid period to the duration of their stay.
•
Learn how design can be used to improve sustainability in all areas of life;
•
Better understand our region’s Indigenous culture and heritage; and
•
Explore Geelong’s vast collection of public and street art.
This in turn will deliver a range of economic and social benefits, while assisting with the turnover of parking spaces. The trial is among a range of initiatives aimed at creating an easier and more efficient car parking system in central Geelong. We are utilising new smart parking innovations, such as pay-by-phone application and a pay-by-plate method.
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Motorists will also be able to transfer parking fee credit to another parking bay within the same central Geelong zone.
Geelong Design Week will showcase our drive to innovate and use creativity to help build a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive community.
Usage fees for the EasyPark app apply. The existing free EziCom app is still available for use, while motorists can continue to pay via coins or card.
For more information and program details, visit geelongcityofdesign.com.au
For more information visit geelongaustralia.com.au/parking
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SUMMER
EVENTS
GUIDE
LIFT OUT AND KEEP!
GET READY FOR EXPLOSIVE FUN THIS SUMMER A jam-packed events calendar is set to explode over summer with more events and more choice to keep Geelong entertained. There is an exciting mix of free and paid events that will capture the imagination and interests of everyone in our region – locals and visitors alike. On offer are our annual favourites – including two Big Bash cricket matches, A Day on the Green concert, the Festival of Sails, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Geelong-Korea in the Australian Baseball League, movies at Steampacket Gardens and the sound and light shows
for our floating Christmas tree, to name a few. In other exciting news, the Great Australian Beer Festival has jumped into January and a new location at Johnstone Park. For those looking for some culture, try Twelfth Night performed in the Geelong Botanic Gardens, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at
WWW.EVENTSGEELONG.COM.AU Geelong’s best destination for event information
the National Wool Museum or grab a show at the Wonderland Spiegeltent in Barwon Heads.
demonstrate their on-water skills while chasing a berth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
For families, explore the new Christmas Festival of Lights at Adventure Park, Australia Day at Rippleside Park or ride on the Santa Train on the Bellarine.
There is so much to see, do and experience to make the most of this bumper summer event season.
Geelong is also playing host to the Nacra 17 World Championships, where some of the world’s best sailors will
For a full list of events happening in Geelong this summer, please visit eventsgeelong.com.au
SUMMER EVENTS GUIDE
THE EYES OF THE WORLD ON GEELONG Geelong will take centre stage as a Host City for cricket’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year when some of the sport’s biggest stars take to Kardinia Park for the first of Geelong’s six host matches.
Tipped to be the biggest event showcasing Geelong to the world, thousands of visitors will descend on Geelong and millions more will tune in to watch coverage of the event and see the first ball of the men’s tournament bowled at Kardinia Park! Geelong’s involvement as a Host City will kick off with a double-header on Sunday 18 October 2020, with Sri Lanka taking on Ireland in an afternoon match before a night contest between Papua New Guinea and Oman. Further doubleheaders will follow on Tuesday 20 October and Thursday 22 October. Geelong is one of just eight host cities
nationally for the first ICC T20 World Cup ever to be held in Australia and is the only non-capital city hosting men’s games.
Local fans will join more than one million spectators expected to attend the tournament nationally. The city will come to life with colour and fun and be transformed for a huge week of celebration embracing multicultural dance, food and entertainment as well as first-class cricket. With the Sri Lankan team playing all of its pool matches at Kardinia Park, thousands of fans from Sri Lanka and Australia’s Sri Lankan community are expected to descend on the region, making Geelong their home away from home. Want to do more than just attend? There are volunteer opportunities as well as a brilliant school’s program. For more information, visit t20worldcup.com
Tickets for the tournament are now on sale at t20worldcup.com with prices as low as $5 for children and $20 for adults. One ticket will cover entry to both matches as part of the double-headers.
THE RENEGADES ARE COMING THURSDAY 19 DECEMBER
Cricket fans, see the Melbourne Renegades BBL season opener this December in Geelong when the Renegades kick off their all-important title defence.
BBL Melbourne Renegades V Sydney Thunder, 7.10pm
TUESDAY 7 JANUARY
The action begins in Geelong on 19 December when the defending champions take on Sydney Thunder. The Melbourne Renegades will also play a second match in Geelong on 7 January against Perth Scorchers. And if that’s not enough, this event also brings the full Big Bash Nickelodeon family festival to Kardinia Park.
BBL Melbourne Renegades V Perth Scorchers, 7.10pm Come and see your BBL heroes clash with their rivals and experience some action-packed family entertainment. Tickets now on sale from Ticketmaster.
WIN A RENEGADES FAMILY PASS Would you like seats to see the Melbourne Renegades take on Perth Scorchers at GMHBA Stadium on 7 January? We have five family passes (4 people) up for grabs! To enter: geelongaustralia.com.au/comp/ default.aspx Competition closes 12pm Monday 23 December. Terms and conditions apply.
SEA AND LAND EXTRAVAGANZA Look no further than the Festival of Sails to celebrate the Australia Day long weekend. Spend quality time soaking up the atmosphere with your family and friends on the Waterfront with three action-packed days running from 25-27 January 2020.
The Festival of Sails, one of the nation's oldest sporting events, is the largest annual keel boat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere with over 300 yacht entries and 3,000 competitors annually taking part in the sea and land extravaganza. The regatta caters for all levels of sailing, from high performance racing machines to family cruisers. Running alongside the sailing action, the FREE community Waterfront festival has a strong focus on family-friendly activities. Featuring numerous acts
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performing on two stages, there’s also fine food and wine to try, roving performers to watch, plus art and craft market stalls and novelty stalls all along the Waterfront and in the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. Headline entertainment will see some of The Voice stars including Jack Vidgen rock the Waterfront as well as the Real Dinosaurs stage show to round out a huge youth and family focussed line-up! For the more adventurous, there are ‘come and try’ activities such as sailing and stand-up paddle boarding. A fireworks display will light up the bay on Saturday 26 January at 9.15pm for Australia Day. The Festival of Sails starts on 25 January with the historic Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race.
Sign up for the Events Geelong newsletter at www.eventsgeelong.com.au
WORLD CLASS SAILING IS ALSO COMING The Royal Geelong Yacht Club is also hosting the 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17 Oceania Championships (30 Jan–3 Feb) and the 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17 World Championship (6–15 Feb). These are high performance, Olympic sailing classes and provide a great opportunity to see some of the world’s best sailors take to Geelong’s waters with a World Championship on the line. In an Olympic year, athletes will also be making their final bids for a berth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
SUMMER EVENTS GUIDE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Friday 31 January Vegemite Family Ride Saturday 1 February Swisse People’s Ride and Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race Sunday 2 February Elite Men’s UCI WorldTour Road Race
WIN A $100 COLES MYER VOUCHER For your chance to win, take a photo of your race-inspired property and post it to Instagram with the hashtag #CadelWin2020. The winner will be announced on Sunday 2 February. Good luck!
BE PART OF THE CADEL ROAD RACE When Australia’s premier weekend of cycling, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, returns to Geelong this summer, there are many ways to get involved. IDEAS TO GET INVOLVED Get on your bike. Register now to be part of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, riding alongside 3,000 friends in the Swisse People's Ride. With courses to suit all abilities, pick from 35km, 65km and 115km distances. Every rider receives an exclusive jersey! For kids. The popular Vegemite Family Ride on the Waterfront is back. Closed to traffic, the 1.6km circuit Family Ride is perfect for young riders of all abilities. On the course? Festively transform where you live or work. Get creative and decorate your place to add colour and vibrancy to the course and you have the chance to win a $100 Coles Myer voucher! Helicopters will be filming from the air and photographers will be on
the course. Help us make the course as vibrant and colourful as possible and cheer on the elite riders! Chalk the course. Make the Challambra climb colourful for the eyes of the world watching live on their TV. Watch the event. Pick a spot to enjoy the racing action. The Start and Finish line is on the Waterfront alongside the Event Village. There’s a live site in Montpellier Park in Highton - home of the King of the Mountain - or you might like a coastal view from Barwon Heads. Three great cheer sites. Volunteer. Become a valued event volunteer for your chance to rub shoulders with the world’s cycling elite.
THE BROADCAST The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race will be broadcast live and free across the Seven Network in 2020! If you can’t join the 100K+ fans roadside this summer, be sure to tune in to witness the megastars of the UCI WorldTour and spectacular Greater Geelong scenery.
WHAT’S NEW? The Deakin University Elite Women’s Road Race will be part of the prestigious UCI Women’s WorldTour in 2020! This means the Cadel Road Race will now host the first women’s and men’s UCI WorldTour one-day classics of the season and offer equal prize money for both the Elite Men’s and Women’s races.
WORTH A LOOK AT THE GALLERY There are two great exhibitions to visit next year at Geelong Gallery, that will transform how you see art! First is ‘The Look’ (7 March–3 May). Explore a remarkable collection of striking photographic portraits of contemporary figures from the National Portrait Gallery collection. The exhibition features notable Australians including Bryan Brown, Cate Blanchett, Maggie Tabberer, Mick Fanning, Cathy Freeman and Russell Crowe. Then, be mesmerised when noted Geelong-born artist, Rone transforms Geelong Gallery like never before. His exciting, largescale installation will explore concepts of beauty and decay and will include both interior and exterior parts. Rone has built an exceptional reputation for immersive installations and largescale wall paintings, which include the Geelong Cement Works silos. THE LOOK (EXHIBITION) 7 March–3 May 2020 RONE IN GEELONG 30 May–16 August 2020
GEELONG-KOREA TO HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK Expect big hits, home runs and exciting competition for all GeelongKorea games as our home team fight for a finals berth in their second season in the Australian Baseball League. In a coup for the team, all players coming from Korea belong to KBO (Korean Baseball Organisation) teams, with five teams, Lotte Giants, Kiwoom Heroes, Hanwha Eagles, SK Wyverns and LG Twins sending their top prospects to play for Geelong-Korea. Leading the charge will be two-time World Series champion pitcher for the New York Yankees and Geelong’s very
own Graeme Lloyd, who has also been announced as the team manager.
GAMES IN GEELONG
As a passionate sporting city, event goers will again receive a unique entertainment experience at all games hosted at the Geelong Baseball Centre. In addition to all the on-field action, expect baseball-themed food, cheerleaders, live DJs, mascots and giveaways plus a few other surprises too.
Round 6: 26–29 Dec V Canberra
Each round consists of four days of games played on Thursdays and Fridays starting at 6.30pm, Saturday night starting at 7pm and Sunday afternoon starting at 1pm.
Every Geelong-Korea game played in Geelong will also be broadcast to millions of baseball viewers overseas and be a feature for Korean audiences.
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Round 8: 9–12 Jan V Melbourne Round 9: 16–19 Jan V Perth Memberships are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased for individual games. There’s also public viewing areas on the lawn around the field for each game.
SUMMER EVENTS GUIDE GEELONG CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT 24 December at Johnstone Park, Geelong A great evening for the whole family on Christmas Eve in Johnstone Park. Enjoy a traditional carols program with some of Geelong's best artists, choirs, and concert band as well as lots of carol singing!
WONDERLAND SPIEGELTENT RETURNS 20 December–27 January at Barwon Heads The Wonderland Spiegeltent is coming back to Barwon Heads for the summer holidays. Shows to keep an eye out for include Kate Ceberano, Circus Wonderland and Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows. Check online for the full program. Prices and tickets vary for shows.
BAY CYCLING CLASSIC
DECEMBER On now–31 Dec Christmas
Lights, Adventure Park 13 Movies at Steampacket
Gardens (Nightmare Before Christmas), Steampacket Gardens 14–15 Santa Train,
Grab a spot on the lawn and watch the world's fastest criterium cycling event at Ritchie Boulevard on 3 January and Eastern Park on 4 January. A great, FREE event to watch to kick off the new year.
GREAT AUSTRALIAN BEER FESTIVAL 18 January at Johnstone Park, Geelong Enjoy Australia’s biggest craft beer garden. Indulge in a journey of sipping, sampling and tasting the craft beers and ciders on offer, plus be entertained by a great line-up of performers too.
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
On until 7 Jan 2020 at Waterfront Geelong
On now until 31 Dec at Adventure Park
FREE to watch – with kids loving the interactive elements. Give us a hand and light our floating Christmas tree - your way!
KIDS NEW YEAR FIREWORKS
Free Family Fun Day, Rippleside Park, Drumcondra
7 T20 Big Bash Cricket
(Renegades V Scorchers), GMHBA Stadium
26 A-League: Western
9–12 ABL: Geelong-
Korea V Melbourne Aces, Geelong Baseball Centre
(Renegades V Thunder), GMHBA Stadium
11 A Day on the Green –
11 Portarlington Mussel
Photographer of the Year, National Wool Museum
16–19 ABL: Geelong-
Korea V Canberra, Geelong Baseball Centre 28 Rip to River, Point
Lonsdale to Ocean Grove 31 Dawnbusters Fun Run,
Waterfront Geelong
the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Waterfront Geelong
Festival, Portarlington
FEBRUARY
Korea v Perth, Geelong Baseball Centre
1–2 Cadel Evans Great
18 Great Australian Beer
Festival, Johnstone Park 18–19 Day Out With
Thomas, Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff
31 Fireworks Displays
19 Waterworld Family Fun
(approx 9.30pm and midnight), Waterfront Geelong
19 A-League: Western
JANUARY
Day, Norlane United FC V Central Coast Mariners, GMHBA Stadium 25–27 Festival of Sails,
30 Jan–2 Feb 49er
31 Family Ride, part of
Cold Chisel, Mt Duneed Estate
21 Dec–26 Apr Wildlife
United FC V Adelaide United FC, GMHBA Stadium FX Nacra 17 Oceania Championships (sailing), Waterfront Geelong
Day, Lara
19 T20 Big Bash Cricket
Ocean Road Race, Geelong–Barwon Heads– Torquay 6–9 Vic Open (golf),
Thirteenth Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads 6–15 49er / 49 FX
/ NACRA World Championship 7, 14, 21, 28 Nightjar
Festival Geelong, Johnstone Park, Geelong
1–28 Summer Central
Waterfront Geelong
Geelong Kids Fun Program, various locations Central Geelong
*Dates and ticketing information researched and presented with due care and attention.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS FLOATING CHRISTMAS TREE
26 Australia Day
at Adventure Park, Wallington
11 Lara Pool Family Fun
Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff
26–29 ABL: Geelong-
3–4 January at Ritchie Boulevard and Eastern Park, Geelong
3, 10, 17 Summer Nights
Looking for ideas to entertain the kids this summer? Check out these events!
FREE MOVIE AT STEAMPACKET
SANTA TRAIN
DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
13 Dec at Steampacket Gardens
19–20 Dec at Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff
18–19 Jan at Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff
Explore a magical Christmas and fairytale wonderland, with state-of-the-art displays and 1.2 million lights. This is a ticketed event.
Nightmare Before Christmas. Kicks off at 5.30pm with the Mik Maks performing, free face painting and crafts for kids. Movie starts at 6.30pm
Get into the festive spirit with a Christmas-themed train experience the kids will love! This is a ticketed event.
Meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, Douglas, Oliver, Henry, Salty, the Troublesome Trucks and Sir Topham Hatt in Queenscliff.
T20 BIG BASH LEAGUE
OUR POOL FAMILY FUN DAYS
AUSTRALIA DAY FAMILY DAY
31 Dec at Waterfront Geelong
7 January at GMHBA Stadium
11 Jan at Lara Pool 19 Jan at Waterworld
FREE to watch. An early new year’s fireworks display for the kids will be at approx. 9.30pm. (Second display at midnight).
Explore the Nickelodeon Family Festival and watch the Renegades take on the Scorchers.
FREE entry and activities including best-dressed competition, treasure hunts, games, giveaways, face painting, balloons, BBQ and more!
NEVER MISS AN EVENT
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26 Jan at Rippleside Park Celebrate Australia Day at Rippleside Park with over 40 free activities and displays for families and children to enjoy at the Australia Day Free Family Fun Day.
WIN A DAY OUT WITH THOMAS Win an amazing Day Out With Thomas this January! We have four Family Passes to give away that include a 45-minute train ride plus heaps of child-friendly activities the whole family will love. Enter now! geelongaustralia.com.au/ comp/comp3.aspx Competition closes 14 January. Terms and conditions apply.
SUMMER
DOGS ON BEACHES DURING SUMMER The weather is warming up and our beaches are getting busier. To make sure everyone can safely enjoy the coast, we have some dog restrictions over summer. During peak holiday season (18 December until 31 January), dogs are not permitted on most of the main beaches of Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads, including the west and east bank of the Barwon River, The Bluff and Ocean Grove Main Beach. Barwon Coast manages this land, spanning from Connewarre to Collendina. Until then, dogs are permitted offleash and under effective control from Thirteenth Beach to 35W, and from 34W to 30W. However please follow the local signs which are in place to protect the
critically endangered Hooded Plover birds. Dogs are also permitted off-leash and under effective control from 13W to 7W west all year-round. Bellarine Bayside has dog restrictions for sections of Portarlington Beach, Indented Head Beach and St Leonards Beach during the summer season, which includes the trails running through the foreshore caravan parks. Search “dog walking maps” on our website geelongaustralia.com.au for more information.
PLAN AHEAD FOR THE FIRE SEASON
SWIM SAFE
You don’t have to live in the country to be at risk of fire.
THIS SUMMER Water safety is so important. Sadly, four young children die in Victoria in home swimming pools or spas on average each year, and many more are taken to hospital for near-drownings. Here are some tips for keeping you and your loved ones safe: In the home:
At the beach/river:
• Always actively supervise children in and around water;
• Never swim alone;
• All spas and swimming pools (even inflatable ones) containing water higher than 30cm must have a compliant safety barrier;
• Check the depth of the water before diving in;
• Check that safety barriers are in place and make sure they’re working; and • Make sure gates and doors remain closed.
• Keep children within arm’s reach;
• Avoid swimming near boats and ramps; and • Check for hazards or closures on Life Saving Victoria’s website and the VicEmergency app.
If you live near areas that have significant bush, forest, long grass, or coastal scrub, then you need to plan for the fire season: •
Clean up around your property and remove potential fire hazards including long, dead grass, debris and flammable items (the City’s fire inspections are now underway);
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Not everyone thinks clearly in an emergency, so have a bushfire plan, practice it and share it with family, neighbours and friends;
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Download the VicEmergency app for emergency information and warnings;
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Know your area’s daily fire danger rating by visiting cfa.vic.gov.au or calling 1800 226 226; and
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If you’re camping or visiting Parks Victoria land, check their website for restrictions on open fires.
The biggest advocates of the tourism value of Greater Geelong are the people who live here. That’s why Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine are encouraging residents to unleash their creativity this summer and share their best view of the region with #SummerUnleashed People around Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula can submit videos and photos, making a hero of our best locations and experiences. The top entries will take a share in the prize pool, which includes a DSLR camera, GoPros and accessories.
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It might be sunrise at the You Yangs, an underwater dance-off at St Leonards or a time-lapsed 24 hours on the Geelong Waterfront. It could star families, friends, pets or the environment. The possibilities are as endless as the imagination behind the camera. Entries are welcome from all ages until 1 February 2020. Make your holiday memories a summer worth sharing and head to summerunleashed.com.au
Our Webstar’s Swim School program offers year-round lessons at each of our Swim Sport & Leisure centres.
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ENVIRONMENT AND WASTE
MAKING THE SWITCH THE CITY IS CHANGING OVER TO 100 PER CENT RENEWABLE ENERGY.
We have joined with 47 other Victorian councils to drive investment in renewable energy, forming the largest buying group of its kind in Australia.
The City is working towards having the new contracts in place by the end of 2020. This will help us meet our target of reducing emissions by 50 per cent by 2020, based on 2014-15 levels.
The project will deliver a range of financial and environmental benefits, such as: •
Fixing lower retail prices by working together as a buyers’ group;
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Drastically reducing our carbon emissions; and
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Delivering financial savings and long-term certainty.
As each council’s existing electricity contract expires, they will transfer over to the new contract for each of their nominated accounts.
This is the largest ever emissions reduction project undertaken by local government in Australia, aggregating about 45 per cent of all Victorian council electricity consumption. The project was initiated and facilitated by the Victorian Greenhouse Alliances and Darebin City Council, with support from the Municipal Association of Victoria.
Amy shares her top waste reduction tips.
WASTE WISE LIVING: IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK Reducing your waste is more important than ever. All it takes is a few simple changes to your routine. Amy, from Geelong West, made some basic changes that have massively reduced her household waste. She now only puts her redlid rubbish bin out for collection every six weeks – and even then, it’s never full. We asked her to share her top 3 tips:
HOME COMPOSTING “It’s way easier than you think. I bought a compost tumbler, which is so simple to use. I was amazed to learn how much of my waste was organic once I started composting.”
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SMART RECYCLING “I sort my recycling into separate bins (paper, glass, cans and hard plastics with codes 1, 2, 4 and 5) and drop those off at the Geelong Resource Recovery Centre. I keep my soft plastics separate and drop them off at the supermarket for recycling.”
BUY PACKAGE-FREE WHEN YOU CAN
EXCESS RECYCLING OVER CHRISTMAS? These items can be dropped off for free at our Geelong or Drysdale Resource Recovery Centres:
“I’m conscious about what I buy and try to avoid packaging wherever I can by taking all my own bags and shopping locally at farmers’ markets and wholefoods stores.”
www.geelongaustralia.com.au
Cardboard boxes;
REAL CHRISTMAS TREES
Wrapping paper;
If you can, cut your tree up into smaller pieces and put it in your green waste bin.
Bottles; and H ard plastic packaging (with codes 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the triangle symbol)
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Otherwise there are Christmas tree removal services that will collect your tree for you.
@GreaterGeelong
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WORKS
CENTRAL GEELONG ACCESSIBILITY PROJECTS COMPLETE Improvements to pedestrian access at key central Geelong locations have made it easier for people with disabilities and mobility limitations. Eight footpaths around Eastern Beach and the Moorabool Street entrance to Westfield Geelong have benefited from the upgrades.
With Geelong a UNESCO City of Design, the Revitalising Central Geelong Partnership aims to design places that are welcoming for everyone.
The works were delivered by the City as part of the Central Geelong Accessibility Improvements Project.
Scan the QR code to view the City’s Access and Inclusion Plan
The project follows an accessibility audit of central Geelong undertaken by the Revitalising Central Geelong Partnership that identified access challenges for all users.
Brett and Brendan enjoying easier access to Eastern Beach.
PHOTO: Geelong Independent.
CHILDREN’S SERVICES TO OPEN UNDER THE ONE ROOF IN DRYSDALE Works are well underway on the Drysdale Integrated Children’s Centre, which will open in 2020. The new centre, located between High and Palmerston Streets, will offer kindergarten, day care, maternal and child health services and a toy library. There is also a multi-purpose space, with opportunities to share facilities with the nearby Bellarine Community Health Centre. With more and more young families calling Drysdale home, the centre will make it easier for them to access a range of children’s services under the one roof.
Participants from Corio Little Athletics try out the new track.
GOLDSWORTHY RESERVE UPGRADED
The $13.3 million centre has been funded by the City ($11.7 million) and the state government ($1.6 million). The City has heavily invested in children’s services and community hubs in recent years, with centres also being built or upgraded in Armstrong Creek, Leopold, Highton and Corio.
Budding athletes in Geelong’s northern suburbs now have access to a modern, stateof-the-art facility after a $1.3 million redevelopment of Goldsworthy Reserve, Corio. The reserve’s old athletics track has been replaced with a brand-new IAAF-approved synthetic rubber surface. It also features in-ground technology to provide precise timing and data logging. The makeover has delivered new triple and longjump facilities, synthetic turf in the throw cages, improved drainage, kerbing and pavements, and root barriers to prevent damage from nearby trees.
YOU KNOW? DID
The venue is home to the Corio Little Athletics Centre, which includes Bell Park, Corio South, Corio West, Golden Plains and Lara Little Athletics Clubs. It’s also regularly used by local primary and secondary schools. The works were fully funded by the City.
Our capital works expenditure in 2018–19 was $124.5 million – renewing, upgrading and building assets to meet community needs.
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DOWNLOAD THE ‘LOVE CENTRAL GEELONG’ APP FOR AUGMENTED REALITY FUN
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Floating Christmas Tree & Light Show
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Christmas Waterfront Geelong Makers & Growers Market
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Free Personalised Santa Letters
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Ferris Wheel
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Elf Base
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School Christmas Trees
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Morning Stories With Central Geelong Christmas Elves
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Morning Teas With Santa
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Santa Photos At Westfield
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Christmas At The Carousel
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Nativity Scene
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Merry Kiss’mas
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Illuminated Baubles & Stars
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Catenary Lighting & Star
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Christmas in the Atrium
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Family Christmas Movies
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Santa Photos At Market Square
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Pop-up Christmas Tree Forest
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Waterfront Activities
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Neon Room
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Shorts Place Projections
PARTNERS
#GEELONGCHRISTMAS
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LoveCentralGeelong
CityofGreaterGeelong
@CentralGeelong
@GreaterGeelong
@lovecentralgeelong
@CityofGreaterGeelong
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James St Gallery Christmas Decorations
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Library Christmas Story Time
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Free Personalised Santa Letters
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It’s A Very Merry Christmas @ Geelong Arts Centre
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Gallery Christmas Tree
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City Hall Projections
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Christmas Tree
Christmas in Central Geelong Augmented Reality
Bethany Giving Tree
3D Christmas Wall Art
Tree Lights
PRESENTED BY:
www.geelongaustralia.com.au www.geelongaustralia.com.au
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