Springdale Messenger – Cr Jim Mason, Bellarine ward

We have a long and proud history of farming and food production along the Bellarine, which is vital to the region’s economy, food security and tourism.

As you may be aware, I’m chair of council’s Rural and Peri-Urban Advisory Committee, which means I’m a strong advocate for farmers and producers across the whole of Greater Geelong.

The City’s currently undertaking a feasibility study into an information and livestock exchange, to understand what information farmers and landholders with animals would find helpful to run their property and get stock to market.

We’ve been holding a series of focus groups and a survey to gain a better insight into this and the findings will be presented to the Rural and Peri-urban Advisory Committee at the end of May. 

This is really important news for our farmers and producers who would benefit from more support. Stay tuned!

It’s always heartening to hear the hopes and dreams of young people for the future of Greater Geelong.

I’ve met with the twelve new youth councillors for 2020 and they are brimming with ideas to solve issues, empower young people and help build a better future.

Farzana Hussaini is our new Junior Mayor, hailing originally from Afghanistan but now Corio, while Ashley Delaney from Wandana Heights is our Deputy Junior Mayor.

Three young women are representing the Bellarine ward: newcomer Hollie Glanvill at 12 years old and returning youth councillors Josie Horne (last year’s Junior Mayor) and Elkin Wittenberg.

The 2020 Youth Council is a passionate and exceptionally diverse bunch, between the 12 of them they speak 10 different languages!

And finally, I’m really pleased Victoria will be rolling out a fourth bin for glass and join all other states and territories in Australia in starting up a container deposit scheme.

Despite the details still being worked out, these reforms are vital to tackling the state’s waste and recycling crisis.

I know Bellarine residents will take up the new changes with gusto, as they have with the modifications to what’s collected in the yellow recycling bins.