Bellarine Times
Tuesday 21 December 2010
VOL 3. No 51
www.bellarinetimes.com.au
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Portarlington’s Christmas Carols drew a huge crowd last week, with many children dressing for the occasion. With just a handful of sleeps to go until Santa Claus arrives, the excitement was etched all over this little helper’s face. See more MICHAEL CHAMBERS photos from the carols on Page 7.
FUEL LEADER Quest begins to find a leader to take charge of Portarlington fuel project
BY ALISON MARTIN PORTARLINGTON is searching for a “champion” to lead the campaign to establish a community fuel outlet in the town. After more than 12 months without petrol – or even public access to air for tyres – the push for a fuel outlet is gaining momentum, with City of Greater Geelong indicating it would support a feasibility study. A community fuel outlet would operate along similar lines to the successful Bellarine Peninsula Community Bank concept, with the bank’s energy department already operating outlets in other Victorian towns where fuel was not available.
CoGG community services acting general manager, Linda Quinn, said access to petrol in Portarlington had become a priority community issue. “At this stage, the Building Bellarine Transport Connections Project Advisory Group – which comprises council officers and community members – is investigating a proposal, including the development of a feasibility study,” she said. A community fuel outlet would involve the low set-up cost of the container which would supply price-competitive unleaded petrol and bio diesel, and would be ATM or card operated to reduce operating costs. Bellarine Peninsula Community Bank
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board director, Bob Hynes (pictured), said the local bank branch’s board had received a great response from council and Portarlington and neighbouring communities since announcing its idea in the Bellarine Times last month. However, even before the preliminary work for the feasibility study is completed, the project needs a dedicated group of local people, with the specific aim of seeing the community fuel outlet through from early planning to completion. “As a result of a committee meeting, it was resolved to form a working group of Portarlington residents from business and community groups to move this project
forward,” Hynes said. “We are trying to find a champion for the cause; a leader who lives in Portarlington to get a committee up and going… We hope to appoint a spokesperson for the community fuel outlet project working group as soon as possible, so we need to hear from anyone interested in taking on the challenge. “Once there is a working group in place, letters can go out to gauge support and there will probably be a public meeting; but the group will have to come before the feasibility study.” To indicate interest in leading the Portarlington community fuel outlet working group, contact Bob Hynes on 0424 041 767.
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