06 Jul JULY NEWSLETTER
So cold and wonderfully wet. We hope our farmer members and friends have all been rained on.
We have sent out our membership renewal forms and encourage you to renew your membership and encourage others to join.
Talking Heads
The link to the WINTER Talking Heads is here, please share:
https://flipbookpdf.net/web/
THANK YOU TRISH FOR OUR FREE PAGE – AND THANKYOU TO ALL THE ADVERTISERS. WE ENCOURAGE OUR MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT TALKING HEADS.
It is really important that local businesses continue to support Talking Heads. Community Groups are given free space – by advertising local businesses are also supporting our local groups and we will support our local businesses.
Diary Dates
Monday July 7th Sunrise – 7:15am For 7:30am
NAIDOC WEEK WALK TO GETHER WITH WADAWURRUNG TRADITIONAL OWNERS CORPORATION AND BARWON COAST TO CELEBRATE NAIDOC WEEK
CROSS THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AND MEET AT THE END OF BUKAREEYOO OPPOSITE THE BLUFF
Monday September 8th for 7:00pm – WE HAVE INVITED KATE SEDDON WELL KNOWN LANDSCAPE DESIGNER AND SERIOUS FRIEND OF BARWON HEADS TO TALK TO US ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GARDENS (MORE INFORMATION CLOSER TO THE DATE)
CoGG Budget – Council rates and the Fire Services Property Levy DUE
The State Government has replaced the current Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) with an Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund Levy, ESVFL which will significantly increase rates. Councils’ are responsible for collecting the State levy on behalf of the State
The change from FSPL to ESVFL will apply from 1 July 2025 and the increased cost will be shown in your rates notices. The media have reported the protests by farmers against the huge increase in cost that they are likely to experience and many commentators have observed that this huge increase is occurring at a time when farmers are experiencing drought and financial hardship.
All residential ratepayers will experience a very significant increased fire levy charges in their rates notices . Property owners have absorbed huge rate increases in recent years and the increase in the fire levy adds yet another tax burden on property owners. We will certainly be conveying our thoughts when we meet our local member next time, but aren’t confident this will change.
What is happening in town
Planning permit amendment 2-8 Talbot St Barwon Heads
Cr Wilkinson has advised that CoGG has scheduled a Planning Panel hearing for Thursday 24th July 6pm CoGG will advise all objectors.
Barwon Heads Primary School 150 years celebration:
Put in your diary the weekend of the 20th September.
The BHA will be partnering with Talking Heads for a joint celebration.
Lobster Pot
Is closed for a winter break.
Traffic works
New Roundabout/Traffic Management works corner of Hitchcock Ave and Geelong Rd East is complete and makes a real difference.
Footpath Works Bridge Rd from Grove Rd to Hitchcock Ave
Wow – this old uneven footpath is now replaced, removing a significant tripping hazard. Thank you CoGG.
Local businesses
- Gaye and Geoff have sold the Post Office – we thank them for their friendship and all they help they have given. We will make the new owner feel welcome, we understand he is starting mid July for a handover at the end of July.
- At The Heads is closed for renovations – it is planning to reopen towards the end of September. We will miss the fire and friendly staff over winter.
- Rumour is that Beach house has sold to a local family. Support and encourage them over winter.
- New Kitto’s shop next to Annies is amazing. Kittos corner is looking sad,
- Thank you to Coffetti for being open early and staying open for afternoon tea after 4:00pm.
Barwon Coast MasterPlan – the next phase
This project has attracted significant community support and participation. Over 175 people participated last weekend. Results and next phase will be made available later in the year.
The Village Park
The BHA will continue to ensure that revegetation of the Village Park continues. This included the re-establishment of the Firth Memorial, tree planting around the Bowls club, and the reinstatement of grassed areas damaged during recent Barwon Water works. Rain needed.
COGG have plans for the re development and expansion of facilities for the Cricket, Soccer and Football clubs which can be viewed on the Council webpage.
COGG are currently looking to refurbish the Pony Club facility and incorporate the Scouts in the same area.
Both are grandiose schemes involving a lot of money and significant developments and changes to the current park layout and ambiance. Do you think that this is the best use of funds by the COGG in Barwon Heads?
Bellarine Police
Senior Sargent Dean Parello is the new Officer in Charge at Bellarine Police Station.
BELLARINE COMMUNITY SAFETY GROUP – UPDATE
Last month, we attended the quarterly meeting of the Bellarine Community Safety Group (bSafe). The BHA was represented by Brian Cook and Geoffrey Waite. The session focused on key local issues and how we can strengthen community communication.
A prominent topic was the growing popularity of e-scooters on the Bellarine. We discussed current regulations and want to remind everyone of the following rules to ensure safe and legal use:
- Riders must be at least 16 years old
- Speed is limited to 20km/h
- Helmets are mandatory
- E-scooters must not carry passengers
- They can only be used on shared-use paths or roads with speed limits of 60km/h or less
- E-scooters are not permitted on footpaths
For full details, please visit: www.police.vic.gov.au/
Another key discussion point was the recent public transport announcements in the 2025/26 State Government Budget. From 1 January 2026, children and young people under 18 will be eligible for free travel on all public transport across Victoria—fantastic news for families and a big step in reducing travel costs.
This follows a recent commitment to provide free weekend public transport for Victorian Seniors Card holders, while continuing discounted travel during weekdays.
The budget also includes funding for a comprehensive review of the Bellarine Peninsula bus network. As part of this review, community members will have the opportunity to share their views on proposed improvements to routes, timetables, and overall service quality.
I’ll keep you informed throughout this process and make sure everyone has a chance to get involved as we work toward a more connected and accessible Bellarine.
Barwon Water plans to build a recycling facility at Black Rock
We are in contact with Barwon Water about this project. Following meetings the BHA have had with Barwon Water in the past, the BHA committee has expressed concern about the project which have not really been addressed by Barwon Water.
One of these concerns following our last meeting was a request for further clarification about what processes will be conducted at the Black Rock site and how these processes will relate to the Lara/Anakie facility. Will there be extra truck traffic due to material being carted between the two sights? There appears to be a change in the proposed program to be undertaken at Black Rock from the original proposal to produce Bio Gas to replace gas being currently used to dry waste and production of Bio Char from green waste.
Other concerns include:
- the absence of a strong business case as to the initial cost of the project, and what costs and returns will be generated by the Project to ensure it is a profitable concern and not a drain on current Barwon Water customers.
- Lack of clarity about number of trucks and traffic generation over 5 year period
- Environmental impacts
The BHA committee will invite Barwon Water to address us when they have shared the permits they have been granted with all conditions, the business care and traffic projections.
Barwon Heads Road Stage 2 of the upgrade
For more information visit the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade webpage, or contact 1800 105 105 or email contact@bigbuild.vic.
Other projects we are involved in
- Traffic and Parking Sub Committee – Alison Marchant advises Traffic Controllers Funding until mid 2028.
- Bellarine Community Safety Group.
- Trees and Landscaping around Barwon Heads.
- Bus Time Table – Better Connection with Trains and connectivity across Bellarine.
Please renew your membership
Thank you to our very loyal members. Membership subscriptions were due on July 1. We are looking for new ideas and members for the Committee – please share. Click on the following link to our website or copy this link into your web browser and complete the membership form.
https://
Make the payment (INCLUDING YOUR FULL NAME) using your online banking to the BHA Account
Account Name: Barwon Heads Association
BSB: 633000
Account Number: 130256704