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Colac’s active COVID-19 cases hit zero Colac’s known active COVID-19 cases reached zero on Monday, bringing the G21 region’s active cases to nil for the first time in 93 days. The region, including Greater Geelong, Queenscliff and the Colac Otway, Surf Coast and Golden Plains shires, last recorded zero active cases on July 5. The three-month achievement comes after Geelong hit zero cases for the first time in 85 days last Monday, October 28, following a peak of 180 on August 10. A Colac resident in intensive care at University Hospital Geelong, due to contracting COVID-19, tested negative for the disease on Monday, a Barwon Health spokesperson
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get tested should they have even the most minor of symptoms - Barwon Health
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confirmed. The patient remained in a critical but stable condition despite no longer having the disease, the spokesperson said yesterday. Barwon Health also warned Anglesea residents to remain vigilant after testing 291 people in response to the discovery of COVID-19 traces in the town’s sewerage last month.
“We urge the community to … get tested should they have even the most minor of symptoms to help us proactively respond to any potential COVID-19 clusters or spike,” a spokesperson said. Victoria recorded 11 new cases on Wednesday, with one reclassified, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Six of the new cases are linked to outbreaks while the rest remain under investigation. Victoria’s active cases dropped by three to 203 on Wednesday, with just four active cases in regional Victoria, including three in Mitchell Shire.
The department reported no deaths from COVID-19 yesterday, with the state’s death toll remaining at 809. The average new daily cases diagnosed in the past 14 days is 9.7 for Melbourne and 0.4 for regional Victoria. The total cases from an unknown source in the past 14 days is 14 for Melbourne and zero for regional Victoria. According to DHHS, 19,174 people have recovered from COVID-19 and 2,795,529 test results have been received, an increase of 15,298 yesterday. Luke Voogt
Belmont Market before COVID-19 restrictions. (City of Greater Geelong)
Market to reopen
An artist’s impression of Jinding Developments’ Armstrong Creek estate. Below: The site of the future estate. (Pictures: Supplied)
Developer gets to work By Luke Voogt A Chinese-owned developer has begun work on the first 81 lots of a new Armstrong Creek estate. Jinding Developments recently announced it had broken ground on the Harriott estate, two years after the Independent first revealed the company had bought into the bourgeoning Geelong suburb. The company had initially expected to begin selling properties at the new development towards the end of 2018. Jinding Developments and Jinding Australia are part of the Jinding Group, headquartered in Qindao with 65 offices located across China. Jinding Australia focuses on Australian property development, migration and education services, according to its website. Melbourne-based construction company Bitu-Mill will undertake civic works for the 14 GEELONG INDEPENDENT Friday, 9 October, 2020
first two stages of the Harriott estate. The works will pave the way for the first 81 blocks of the planned 659-lot community to be ready by mid next year. The initial stages will also include the first portion of a linear reserve which, on completion, will span the length of the estate. Future amenities within the estate will include 140-hectares of public open space
including central parklands and regional sporting facilities. Jinding has partnered with Yolk Property Group and landowners the Harkness family to build the estate next to the Sparrovale Wetlands nature reserve. Geelong council recently commenced $4 million upgrade works on the 500-hectare nature reserve. Lot pricing ranges from $180,000 to $314,000, with lot sizes ranging from 221 square metres to more than 550sqm. Jinding Developments was excited to celebrate turning the first sod, managing director Liz Ronson said. “We have continued to achieve great success and strong sales for Harriott in 2020.” City Hall’s development director Gareth Smith said the “enviable lifestyle” of Geelong and Armstrong Creek continued “to draw new residents to our region”.
Belmont Market is set to reopen outdoors this Sunday as part of a gradual return to operations. Geelong council chief executive Martin Cutter announced the reopening last week. “The gradual reopening of the Belmont Market is great news for keen shoppers, stallholders and city employees who have all been impacted by the temporary closures,” Mr Cutter said. “We’d like to thank the community and stallholders for their patience and understanding as we continue to work through the restrictions for indoor stallholders to ensure we can open safely for the community. The Belmont Market is a highlight of the week for our community, and is an event that brings passionate and like-minded residents together each Sunday.” The third step of state government’s reopening roadmap allows the market to open with limited numbers and physical distancing in place. City Hall will reduce the number of outdoor stallholders to allow them to spread out across the site and ensure shoppers follow physical distancing restrictions. Mr Cutter welcomed the return, giving small-scale traders a chance to sell their wares, including pre-loved clothing, jewellery, accessories, fresh produce, plants, handmade crafts and other treasures. “I look forward to seeing the wide variety of sellers and shoppers return outdoors to this much-loved community market,” he said. “When visiting we encourage all market shoppers to follow current restrictions, maintain physical distancing, wear a face mask and practise good hygiene.” City Hall is currently planning for indoor stallholders to safely return to Barwon Valley Activity Centre and expects to announce a date for this in coming weeks. Council has advised permanent stallholders of the gradual reopening and COVID-Safe measures in place. Bookings are open at geelongaustralia. com.au/belmontmarket and permanent stallholders will have priority. Luke Voogt