The City will ask the Minister for Planning to appoint an Independent Panel to consider public submissions on Amendment C129, Council's review of its Municipal Strategic Statement and Planning Policy Review.

The National Wool Museum is holding an open day, on Australia Day, Saturday 26 January, as part of Skandia week celebrations

For three consecutive Sundays during February the Geelong Botanic Gardens will come alive at twilight with the upbeat sounds of musicians from the Donegal Express, the Jazz Connection and Louisiana Shakers.

The CEO of a major South Australian coastal tourism centre was in Geelong today to inspect the Geelong Baseball Centre, including the recently completed artificial turf baseball diamond.

Cr John Mitchelll said Council intended to maintain two beach volleyball courts at Eastern Beach for general public use and a range of planned activities for the public and established sporting clubs.

Mayor Cr Bruce Harwood said an electoral representation review was calling for submissions to determine the number of Councillors in the municipality, the number of wards and the boundaries of wards.

The City has contributed more than $146,000 to 31 community groups through its 2007-08 Community Arts and Community Festivals Grants Programs.

Addition local sporting greats could be inducted into the Geelong Sports Legends Plaza, at Skilled Stadium, in 2012.

Council tonight resolved to suport the preparation and exhibition of Amendment C152 to the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme involving the Jetty Road Urban Growth Area Stage One.

At its first meeting of 2008, Council endorsed the Eastern Park and Geelong Botanic Gardens Strategic Plan and recommended the start of implementation.

Mayor Cr Bruce Harwood said Cr Shane Dowling had announced that he was resigning from his role as Councillor for the Deakin Ward, for personal reasons.

Cr Rod Macdonald said Council generally supported the recommendations of the Independent Panel Report on the Belmont Hotel's application for a bottle shop redevelopment and car park extention.

Cr Tom O'connor said a tender process is currently underway for selecting a planning consultancy team to develop a structure plan for Drysdale-Clifton Springs.

People wishing to comment on the draft Domestic Animal Management plan now have until 29 February 2008 to make a submission.

The City of Greater Geelong will investigate opportunities for developing baseball, softball,cricket, football and soccor facilities in Lara.

Geelong Regional Library staff have just completed a nine week training course in the latest internet trends and networking technologies.

The Youth Development Unit is hosting two performances of up and coming young local bands this week and next.

Cr John Mitchell has condemend several incidents of vandalism at the Geelong Waterfront.

Cr Tony Ansett says new signage installed on the Princes Highway, directing tourists to take the Lara exit for You Yangs and Serendip Sanctuary, is great news for Lara.

There has been significant drop in the number of mosquitos recorded in monitoring traps at the start of January.

Swimming and water play are extremely popular activities during the holidays but parents do need to be wary of the risks of leaving young children unsupervised around water.

The City of Greater Geelong's five major aquatic centres saved a total of 32 million litres of water in 2007 said Councillor John Mitchell.