Friday, May 11, 2012
A Star News Group publication
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Salvos appeal for help with $8m program in region THE SALVOS need a “significant increase” in help to deliver over $8 million in social programs to the region next financial year, an appeal launch heard on Wednesday. The Salvation Army Major Bruce Stevens told community and business leaders the annual Red Shield Appeal was seeking $300,000 in local donations. “We are committed to responding to the day-to-day needs of those we serve yet cannot do this without the financial assistance of the local community. We are relying on the Geelong community to partner with us again,” Maj Stevens said. “The cost of our social programs in Geelong this year will be $8.09 million. “Looking to the future, I anticipate the Geelong community would share our concern about how sustainable this is.” Maj Stevens told the launch the Salvos had invested $14.5 million in Geelong over the past five years to serve the community. “I believe the business community should be encouraged by the knowledge $10.4 million could have been allocated elsewhere in Victoria yet has been committed to Geelong.”
TYLER ABLE AND WILLIING PAGE 9
Appealing: Young Cats Jed Bews and Daniel Menzel contribute to the Red Shield Appeal with The Salvation Army’s David Collinson and, at back, Phil Mounsey, Peter Hobbs and Vic Pitman-Jones. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 81247
Bypass ‘next poll’ movements through the town were only “minor” since council diverted Geelong’s tip trucks from Corio to Drysdale. “The overall numbers haven’t changed massively but we know traffic is not going to decrease as planned development goes ahead.” Cr Macdonald expected major parties to offer funding commitments for a Drysdale bypass and a Geelong ring road extension at the next state election. Any delays on these major works would “put the whole peninsula under more pressure”, he said. But Cr Macdonald refused to estimate
a timeline for when these roads would be built. “As we go through the process of gathering support for the project, timelines will start to emerge.” Cr Macdonald urged residents to show their support in order to “put a strong case to government”. “Unless you ask for it and campaign for it, you’re not going to get it.” Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association’s Patrick Hughes said residents regularly expressed concern about increasing noise, dirt and safety concerns amid increased traffic on High St.
“A Drysdale bypass will give the northern Bellarine a new heartbeat,” he said. The association contacted other community groups on the Bellarine Peninsula for support to campaign for a Drysdale bypass. Mr Hughes said St Leonards Progress Association had already pledged support. “We’re already two-thirds of the way toward capacity without the creation of the new estates.” VicRoads’ William Tieppo said the roads authority had bought 50 per cent of the land required for a bypass around Drysdale but had “no current plans” for construction.
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BY MICHELLE HERBISON INCREASED traffic on Drysdale’s High St is “starting to impinge on travelling through town”, according to a councillor. Rod Macdonald said recent figures were unavailable but traffic volumes were increasing as more residential developments appeared on the Bellarine Peninsula. VicRoads figures from April 2011 showed 18,000 vehicles a day travelled on High St south of Murradoc Rd. VicRoads estimated the road’s capacity at 24,000 vehicles a day. Cr Macdonald said increases in truck
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