07 Jun JUNE NEWSLETTER
Hi there, Winter has finally arrived. Who has seen such high tides in Barwon Heads before? The erosion on the river beach near the Ozone Rd Jetty is quite severe. Please stay off the dunes there.
CoGG has published its budget – we are now waiting for our rates notices. See below for our comments and tips.
Show your support for the BHA by renewing your membership and recommending membership to your friends and neighbours.
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.
Our June Meeting
We had a great meeting on the 2nd June – our guest speaker Tony Walker has a wonderful insight into what is happening here and worldwide. We counted 35 people in the room and we all really enjoyed our conversation with him.
We have a wealth of interesting people in Barwon Heads and on the Bellarine. Please let us know if you have any ideas for speakers or if you are interested in speaking.
CoGG Budget 2025-2026 – Council rates and the Fire Services Property Levy
The City of Greater Geelong (COGG) is likely to declare rates on 1 July 2025 for the 2025 /26 year and send rates notices in August 2025 based on property values on 1 Jan 2025. Look closely at your rates notice and the various costs it includes.
We have previously noted that Real Estate.com has advised that property values in Barwon Heads have fallen by about 20% over the last 12 months and resident ratepayers need to check their individual rates-notice valuations to ensure that the rate value is fair and that ratepayers have 60 days to object if you choose to do so.
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
Long Weekend
Support local businesses, coffee shops, restaurants, and our locals Chris & Marilyn from Moti at their popup at the Barwon Heads Arts Centre.
Barwon Heads Primary School 150 years celebration:
We will be donating $1,000 (our Duck Money), to the school bollard project. Put in your diary the weekend of the 20th September.
Lobster Pot
Is closed for a winter break.
Traffic works
New Roundabout/Traffic Management works corner of Hitchcock Ave and Geelong Rd East – is happening and nearly complete.
Footpath Works Bridge Rd from Grove Rd to Hitchcock Ave
Wow – this old uneven footpath is finally being replaced, hopefully 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 owners feel welcome.
- At The Heads is closing on the 8th June 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.
Barwon Water Newsletter advises that West Barwon and Moorabool Catchments are 73% and 62% below average for Autumn.
Changes to the planning act
The Victorian Government – “Plan for Victoria” recently held an event in Geelong outlining new planning regulations for Melbourne, Geelong and major areas across the state.
The Planning Minister, Sonia Kilkenny assured the BHA and CBCA members that new regulations would respect the Bellarine Distinctive Area and Landscape Statutory Planning Policy and the SPP is now operational and forms part of the Victorian Planning Provisions, and the City of Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe Planning Schemes will be amended to give effect to the Policy.
The BHA continues to be concerned WHETHER CURRENT AND FUTURE PLANNING REGULATIONS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR COASTAL TOWNS AND THE BARWON RIVER ESTUARY. The Estuary has cultural and environmental value and belongs to the community, not just individual properties.
The BHA supports the National Trust Victoria in its advocacy and endeavours to help create a Planning System that delivers balanced policies for Heritage Protection, Significant Landscape and Neighbourhood Character in favour of just development.
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.
Barwon Coast Committee of Management
Barwon Coast Foreshore Master Plan – the next phase
Community and Stakeholder Design Sessions for the Barwon Coast Foreshore Master Plan will commence on Friday 27 June to Sunday 29 June, these 50-minute, in-person workshops at the Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club will give community members and stakeholders the opportunity to explore ideas, test early directions, and help shape the future of our foreshore. A total of 19 sessions will be offered across the three days, followed by an Open Gallery event on the Sunday for anyone to drop in and view what has been happening over the three days. I would highly encourage you to come to the Open Gallery (if possible).
Participants will need to register via Eventbrite so we are able to manage numbers in each session. We want to encourage as many people as possible to sign up, so we’ll be sharing detailed information in the coming days to give the community plenty of notice to register.
Barwon Water plans to build a recycling facility at Black Rock
We have not heard anything about this project and continue to be concerned about its impact on Barwon Heads and our coastal surrounds. How does this project align with the Coastal and Marine Act and the Bellarine Distinctive Area and Landscape Statement of Planning Policy?
Barwon Heads Road Stage 2 of the upgrade
For more information visit the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade webpage, or contact us via phone on 1800 105 105 or email contact@bigbuild.vic.
Other projects we are involved in
- Easter Duck Race, thankyou to Heather Willson and Rotary and all the prize donors $25,000 raised for local schools and groups.
- Barwon Coast Foreshore Master Plan – extensive community consultation-Breamlea to Collendina
- Traffic and Parking Sub Committee – Alison Marchant advises Traffic Controllers Funding until mid 2028.
- Works on Spit Speed Limits and extra Crossings
- 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 are 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