ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008 CITY OF GREATER GEELONG

The City of Greater Geelong commits to reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2010,
and 60 per cent by 2025, through the implementation
of the Greehouse Reduction Strategy.
> The Old Post Office becomes a ‘youth hub’ with the
new-look Clockwork Young People’s Health Service
opening its doors, alongside Batforce, Diversitat,
Time for Youth, CASA and Council’s Youth
Development Unit.
> Memorial Park, Leopold’s main sports ovals have a
secure future following the completion of an irrigation
project that captures and stores industrial and
residential stormwater run off for use on the sports
grounds.
January 2008
> The Eastern Park and Geelong Botanic Gardens
Strategic Plan is adopted, providing a 50 year vision
and a 20 year implementation plan, with actions to
commence in the 2008-2009 financial year.
> Cr Shane Dowling resigns from his role as Councillor
of the Deakin Ward, after six years of service.
> The City of Greater Geelong’s five aquatic centres save
over 30 million litres of water over the summer through
the introduction of a number of water saving initiatives.
February 2008
> Newcomb and District Sports Club open their new
netball pavilion at Grinter Reserve, following a
$430,000 development which includes change rooms,
new showers and toilets, and a kitchenette.
> The completion of a community space in St Leonards
provides residents with a venue to meet and access a
range of services.
> Mayor Bruce Harwood joins State and Federal
Members of Parliament at a local ceremony to mark
the apology to the stolen generations.
> The Ocean Grove Soccer Grounds are re-opened
following their redevelopment and the installation
of temporary club rooms.
March 2008
> Council adopts the Greater Geelong Cycle Strategy,
which contains a number of recommendations and
actions aimed at fostering bicycle use in Geelong.
> Geelong announced as the location for the Hollywood
big budget film ‘Knowing’ starring Nicholas Cage.
> Whittington FlameFest held involving numerous
activities including a lantern parade.
April 2008
> Youth week kicks off with a range of skate, art and
musical activities held throughout the municipality,
along with the inaugural Impetus Youth Awards
ceremony.
> Council adopts a Gaming Policy to avoid
concentrations of machines in areas of economic
or social disadvantage.
> Global IT firm Satyam announces it will locate its
Australian operation at Deakin University’s Waurn
Ponds campus. This is one of the biggest industry
investments in the Geelong region for decades.
May 2008
> The Deakin ward by-election is held with Cr Andrew
Katos elected as the new Councillor for the ward.
> The City receives $24.5 million in State funding under
the Geelong Transit City Project to provide critical
infrastructure for the Western Wedge development.
> 80 hectares of industrial land at Heales Rd is offered
for sale by Expression of Interest, which will lead to
major investment and employment opportunities for
the region.
> Works commence on the $1.3 million Youth Activities
Area on the Waterfront.
> Expressions of Interest for the Haymarket car park site
are called for - a key step in the development of one of
Council’s top funding priorities.
> The corporate sustainability program EcoChallenge is
launched, with the aim of reducing the organisations
own consumption of energy, water and resources.
June 2008
> Council adopts the Aldershot Reserve Master Plan to
ensure the planned development of the area for the
next 10 years.
> The Belcher Fountain restoration project is launched
with the lighting of the gas lamp, more than 30 years
after it last burned.
> Council adopts the Domestic Animal (Dogs and Cats)
Management Plan to promote responsible pet
ownership, after considering more than 900 public
submissions.
> Work commences on the restoration of the historic
seawalls at Eastern Beach, which are 320 metres in
length and constructed in 1928-1929.
> The first artwork from the innovative Connecting
Identities project is unveiled, a sneak preview of what
will be on offer at the Memory Bank exhibition in July
2008.
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