Mayor's Column – 21 October 2022
Published on 21 October 2022
Hello to all residents, ratepayers and visitors to the Borough of Queenscliffe. We’ve had some wild weather since I spoke to you last, and my best wishes go out to everyone in flood-affected communities. I know that the good people of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale are always willing to lend a hand where they can.
Dogs on beaches review
As we approach the summer holiday period, Council is conducting a review of the Borough’s ‘dogs on beaches’ laws to see if we need to make changes. One proposal that’s emerged through the initial part of the review is to remove the restrictions preventing dogs on beaches during the summer period. This change would simplify our dog laws, save any confusion as to when dogs can be walked on beaches, and make it easier for people to spend quality time with their pets in the Borough.
Removing the restrictions would then allow dogs to be walked on-leash in most areas year-round, in addition to the off-leash (under effective control) area at Narrows Beach. Our residents and visitors already demonstrate an extremely high compliance rate with local dog laws, and removing these restrictions would reward good behaviour while further promoting the area to dog owners.
However, we also understand that we have a responsibility to protect our fragile local wildlife, as well as the portion of the community that may wish to enjoy the beach without dogs present. Therefore, Council is also asking for your consideration on an appropriate stretch of coastline where we could provide a year-round designated dog-free area for beachgoers.
We now invite you to complete an online survey to assist Council in its decision-making. Simply visit boq.news/dogsonbeaches before 11:59pm on Wednesday 16 November to take part.
A packed house for the Borough Business After 5
Last week, I had the great privilege of speaking at the very first Borough Business After 5 event to be held at the new Queenscliffe Hub building, Wirrng Wirrng. As I explained on the evening, the Wadawurrung phrase ‘wirrng wirrng’ means “to listen with both ears” and there is certainly the opportunity for plenty of listening, learning and understanding to take place within the walls of this stunning new building.
There was a genuine eagerness from the 80-odd local traders in attendance to not only explore the new facility but also to network with each other and share some learnings from the last couple of years, and I think by the end of the night there were a fair few people that didn’t want to leave as they loved the venue so much!
The evening was magnificently catered by Barry Iddles and his team at 360Q, and I look forward to the many more events which will no doubt take place in the Hub over the coming months.
Now is the perfect time to visit the Historical Museum
Of course, the Hub is more than just a meeting place – it also houses the Queenscliffe Historical Museum, which is fast approaching its fiftieth year of operation and is one of the proud new tenants of Wirrng Wirrng. If you’ve never stepped foot inside the museum before, I think now is the perfect time to do so.
Their new exhibition ‘Queenscliffe Revealed: Hidden Histories – New Narratives’ takes place inside a meticulously crafted setting of historical artifacts, written words, films and oral histories. QHM also have a new website which houses plenty of information, including visiting hours. Go to historyofqueenscliffe.com.
Get hands-on at the Queenscliff Library
At the other end of the Hub is the Queenscliff Library, which is up and running at full steam with plenty of shelves of books to choose from, as well as the much-loved reading room and new spaces to sit with your laptop or iPad and plug in to the supplied Wi-Fi. Geelong Regional Libraries are presenting the Local Word Regional Showcase from 18–19 November, and the Queenscliff Library will be hosting its own event as part of the showcase.
The ‘Embracing songwriting with hands-on techniques’ workshop is set to take place on Friday 18 November from 10:30am–1:30pm at the Queenscliff Library, and it will be presented by local songwriters Claudia Collins, Mike Whittle and Mathilda Garrido Lucay. The workshop invites creatives from beginners through to the more advanced interested in engaging with experienced songwriters to improve their techniques, and some basic instruments will be provided. Tickets are available from grlc.vic.gov.au.
Celebrating 90 years of the Point Lonsdale Bowls Club
Finally, a big congratulations to the Point Lonsdale Bowls Club on their 90th anniversary. I was lucky enough to speak at their gala event last Friday night, where I was presented with an updated history of the club compiled by long-time member Alan Mansfield. I will pass this on to the Queenscliffe Historical Museum for safe keeping. The club’s state-of-the-art bowling greens are a beacon of the Point Lonsdale foreshore and I wish them all the very best for their next 90 years and beyond.
As always, if you have anything you’d like to discuss with me about the Borough, drop me a line via the contact details on Council’s website.
Kind regards,
Cr Ross Ebbels
Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe