Work on an innovative boardwalk at Western Beach is now complete providing a spectacular addition to the popular foreshore walking path along Corio Bay.

City of Greater Geelong General Manager Community and Recreation, Irene McGinnigle, said the City was in the process of undertaking a Recreation and Leisure Needs Study for the Bellarine Peninsula.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Ed Coppe today launched City Plan 2004-2008, Council’s vision for the community’s future and the region’s ongoing prosperity.

City of Greater Geelong Councillor David Saunderson has appealed to home builders and renovators in the Geelong region to abide by all relevant planning and building regulations, and has identified decks and balconies as potential public safety issues.

City of Greater Geelong Councillor Craig Farrell said Council’s acceptance of Kane Constructions’ $2,454,573 tender for building works associated with the redevelopment of Kardinia Aquatic Centre would allow this important community project to progress to the next stage.

On Tuesday night City of Greater Geelong Council endorsed a $500,000 grant to Avalon Airport to contribute towards infrastructure upgrades such as roads, car parks and terminals for passengers using the new Jetstar service.

Mayor Ed Coppe said Council’s decision to allocate an additional $600,000 for footpaths in this financial year meant that a total of nearly $3 million would be spent on footpath renewal and maintenance in 2004/2005.

The City will undertake extensive community consultation to develop a footpath access policy for the municipality, said City of Greater Geelong Councillor Heather Wellington.

City of Greater Geelong Councillor Shane Dowling said Mercer Street was now demonstrably safer than before the street’s reconstruction four years ago.

Deputy Mayor Linda Ristevski said the tremendous efforts of the people of the Geelong region to assist the community of Viqueque in East Timor would be commemorated with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding next month.

More than 500,000 catalogues will be distributed to potential visitors to Geelong and the Great Ocean Road promoting the easy access to the region via Jetstar.

A structural engineer’s report has recommended that the clock tower in Rippleside Park be dismantled for assessment and maintenance, said City of Greater Geelong General Manager Community and Recreation Irene McGinnigle.

United Way, a 50 year old community fund will receive up to $25,000 as a result of local passengers booking Jetstar flights from Avalon Airport, said Mayor Cr Ed Coppe.

City of Greater Geelong Councillor Shane Dowling said traders in Little Malop Street were “over the moon” about the beginning of the street’s reconstruction as a dining, entertainment and arts precinct.

City of Greater Geelong Councillor Shane Dowling said the High Street Belmont Shopping Centre was about to enter a new era with the acceptance of a tender for the final stage of the precinct’s upgrading.

The results of an older driver survey were presented to council on Tuesday night as part of the City’s Older Driver Program.

City of Greater Geelong Councillor Heather Wellington said grant funds of more than $154,000 had been made to 45 community groups as part of the second round of the Community Grants Program.

City of Greater Geelong Councillor Heather Wellington said the communities of Drysdale, Clifton Springs and surrounding areas will all benefit from the redevelopment of Springdale Community Centre and Drysdale Hall.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Ed Coppe said the reconstruction of Malop Street was proceeding extremely well, on schedule and on budget.

“Residents are asked to remain diligent in separating their green waste from other waste before placing material in their green lid green waste bin,” said Cr Rob Binnie.

City of Greater Geelong Councillor David Saunderson said Australia Post and the City are working together to keep footpaths in the municipality safe.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr Ed Coppe led a delegation to Canberra yesterday to restate the case for no tariff cuts for the Textile Clothing and Footwear industry and lobby for increased financial assistance.