| starcommunity.com.au
Connecting people and communities
Friday, 5 December, 2014 Page 3
12-storey high rise set to tower over Myers St By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN A PROPOSED 12-storey office building on a Kings Funerals site in Myers St, Geelong, has earned planning approval. The proposed building aims to snare government agencies the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and Victorian Workcover Authority (VWA) as tenants. The permit allows for a main entry from Myers St with a secondary access point on Fenwick St. The building would be âbest practice in terms of environmentally sustainable design, flexible floor plates and setback from Myers St as the building rises in heightâ. It would predominately be glazed with areas of landscaping and green walls. Mayor Darryn Lyons said he was excited the project had been given the go ahead. âThe City has been working with Kings Funerals throughout the planning process to ensure their permit was lodged quickly and thoroughly,â he said. âItâs great to have a number of projects for Gee-
KING-SIZE: A concept image of the Myers St building. longâs CBD, some of which have been granted approval and others are still in the pre-application stage with council planners. âWeâre a 21st Century smart city with a thriving city centre that has lots of potential for growth. âCouncil is open for business, with more invest-
In brief Road deaths TWO PEOPLE have died in a car crash at Moriac. Investigators said their vehicle rolled and caught fire on Mt Duneed Rd just before 1am Sunday, with the driver and passenger dying at the scene.
Crime rises
ment and development in the CBD.â Cr Lyons said councilâs Central Geelong Action Plan aimed to attract more investment initiatives such as the new high-rise office space. Two other high-rise office buildings are also targeting the NDIA and VWA as tenants. Proponent Michael King said the âlandmarkâ building would also target the insurance industry and a proposed defence procurement office for Geelong. âThere are a whole range of service industries that will be eyeing Geelong off the back of the Workcover and NDIA locations here,â Mr King said. âWhile I think we are well placed to participate in the public government tender process for those agencies, if weâre unsuccessful there are many other potential tenants. Thereâs an enormous amount of interest nationally in Geelong.â Mr King said Kings Funerals would continue to operate as normal from its facilities at Newcomb and Grovedale, with the possibility of a third site being added. Carlton Hotel building approved - page 13
DRUG OFFENCES increased 25 per cent in the Geelong region over the past year, according to new Victoria Police statistics. The figures showed a 2.5 per cent rise in overall crime, with 7696 offences recorded compared to 7510 for the previous 12 months.
Game pulled GEELONG-BASED retailer Target has removed from sale an R-rated video game amid complaints about its depictions of violence against women. Target said its decision on Wednesday night to pull Grand Theft Auto V reflected the âmajority viewâ of customers.
Two ministers THE REGION has two State Government ministers after new Premier Daniel Andrews announced his cabinet yesterday. Member for Lara John Eren was handed tourism, sport, major events and veterans, while Bellarine MP Lisa Neville was given environment, climate change and water.
City losing grip in upper house By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
furniture bydesign
GEELONG appears to have lost one of its two state upper house representatives with the defeat of Nationals member David OâBrien. Mr OâBrien lost his seat after a group of micro parties arranged preference deals to snare the fifth seat in the Legislative Council electorate of Wester Victoria. Liberal Simon Ramsey, based in Warrnambool, Laborâs Jaala Pulford and the Liberalsâ Josh Morris, both in Ballarat, were safely elected as the seat went through 20 recounts to distribute preferences. As the Independent went to press, Geelong-based Labor candidate Gayle Tierney was fighting for one of the final two spots with Palmer United Partyâs Catriona Thoolen and James Purcell of Vote 1 Local Jobs. Vote counters were sorting through preferences for 12 micro parties vying for the seat. The region had three upper house representatives until Geelong-based Liberal David Koch resigned before the election. All the regionâs lower house seats remained unchanged, with each incumbent returned.
1125892-DJ12-14
We specialise in made to order furniture
4 Gordon Avenue, Geelong West Phone 5229 8605 www.geelongfurniturebydesign.com.au
FORD OWNERS For servicing and repairs with manufacturerâs warranty not affected see Geelongâs Ford Specialist.
T J B
Workers set to go
âThe dealer alternativeâ
5244 3337 STAR POWER: Australian actors Maria Mercedes and Noni Hazlehurst join forces this week to help launch Geelong Performing Arts Centreâs 2015 theatre season. For the full story on the upcoming productions, Picture: Reg Ryan turn to page 25. 131737
8 Maxwell Ave, Belmont 1126971-ACM13-14
FREE AIRPORT PARKING
1166123-DC49-14
From page 1 Another 80-plus jobs remain under a cloud at Alcoaâs Anglesea power station, where enterprise agreement talks were yesterday under way while the coal-powered plant and accompanying power station was on the market for a buyer. Alcoa has said it will close the plant if it cannot find a buyer but has been quiet on any negotiations with potential purchasers in the face of activistsâ aggressive campaign to close the facility. Mr Penn suggested the plant could represent âa nice little profitable power stationâ. The Independent was unable to obtain comment from Alcoa before going to press.
Locally Owned and Operated
2 DAYS FREE*
âĒ âĒ âĒ âĒ
undercover & outdoor parkingparking cover & outdoor ee courtesy shuttle bus free courtesy shuttle bus car cleaning & servicing 24hr security BOOK ONLINE or CALL: BOOK ONLINE or CALL:
9335 8333 9335 8333 busybeaverairportparking.com.au
COUPON CODE: GS1412
*Customers must park five (5) days or more to qualify for this offer. Bookings must be made online using above coupon code. Not valid on or over Public Holidays. Valid to 31/03/2015
1166020-KC49-14