INSIDE THIS EDITION…
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Voice Bellarine
YEAR IN REVIEW, INSIDE
January 2017
BELLARINE’S NUMBER ONE NEWSPAPER
FREE FORTNIGHTLY
1225070-ACM17-16
Carols and Christmas
Bellarine Community Health staff and Planned Activity Group members at the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ event. 162889
MORE than 150 community members celebrated Bellarine Community Health’s ‘Spirit of Christmas’ event at Parks Hall in Portarlington. The annual daytime Carols by Candlelight and luncheon has become a highlight of the festive season for many elderly residents on the Bellarine. “We love organising this event each year,” said Community Wellness Program Coordinator, Sally Bambrook. “Because a lot of our clients are very elderly or have issues that make it difficult for them to get out at night, having a singalong and lunch during the day is perfect,” she said. Parks Hall was decked out with decorations and a giant Christmas tree, and Bellarine Community Health staff dressed as Christmas elves. The Drysdale Community Choir created a wonderful atmosphere for guests, and Parks Hall was lit by a sea of waving candles. “Our clients and other community members tell us how much they enjoy catching up with old friends and they love the singing and carols,” Ms Bambrook said.
Battle on bypass 12335382-ACM01-17
THE Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association has opposed the proposal put forward by VicRoads for the intersection of the western entrance of the Drysdale Bypass. VicRoads' preferred option for the Jetty and Grubb roads intersection is signalised intersections with pedestrian crossings located at those intersections. “The DCSCA committee does not support this option due to safety, traf-
fic efficiency, and environmental and operational concerns and details these concerns,” the association said in a statement. “DCSCA recommends a roundabout system with slip lanes and signalised pedestrian crossings located some distance from the roundabouts, with or without an overpass. DCSCA believes such systems will be superior to Option 3a in all these respects and presents and recommends two alternative roundabout systems for Vic Roads
to evaluate - one with an overpass and one without.” VicRoads said local residents had helped shape the intersection proposal VicRoads will display for the western entrance of the Drysdale Bypass, as the planning stage approached for the $109 million project. VicRoads project director Tim Price said after extensive community consultation and studies, traffic lights had been determined as the preferred inter-
section option for this key element of the Drysdale Bypass, to reduce traffic queuing and provide a safer and more amenable option for the community. “During the past two years, the community has provided us with feedback about the three proposed options for this intersection - traffic lights, a new double roundabout or an overpass,” Mr Price said. VicRoads said the proposed intersection at the junction of Portarlington,
Jetty and Grubb roads would make it safer for people heading to the nearby schools, commuting to work in Geelong and travelling to the picturesque Bellarine Peninsula. To see a video of what the VicRoads proposed intersection will look like and how it will work, and provide feedback, visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au and search for Drysdale. Alternatively you can email DrysdaleTransport@ roads.vic.gov.au or phone 4243 3806.