Winch clean-up begins
CLEAN-UP has started on the long closed Winchelsea Common to create a public space for walkers, bird watchers, bike riders and picnic goers.
The Common has been closed since 2012 due to contamination created by a gun club that previously occupied the site.
Environmental planner Sally Patterson said more than 100 suggestions for the Common were received from residents.
After the initial clean-up, walking and bike paths will be installed. Fencing will be erected to protect native plant species deemed to be nationally significant.
Suggestions that have not been ruled out include car parking, a BMX track, fitness stations and a perimeter running track.
The site was also once home to Fun Kart Club go-karts, and proposals were made to bring the vehicles back.
Electric go-karts were suggested as a less noisy alternative, but an acoustic consultant found their “distinctive whine” made them unsuitable for a residential area.
Specialist cleaners Environmental Earth Services International have been appointed for the clean-up.
Works will start by testing and removing contaminated materials from the site.
The clean-up is expected to take about three months.
Surf Coast Shire councillor Heather Wellington said the start of works was a significant milestone.
“We know that Winchelsea people have wanted the Common reopened, so we’re pleased to see that works will be under way shortly,” she said. DOZENS of budding young footballers in Geelong have received a helping hand with a donation of playing boots.
The Mark West Foundation held a boot collection day at GMHBA Stadium earlier this month where 52 pairs of boots were handed out to local children.
The foundation continues the legacy of Mark West, a 19year-old who died while playing football for Newtown and Chilwell on Anzac Day in 1998.
Before his untimely death, Mark had been passionate about mentoring young footballers and had coached an under-11s side for nearly three years.
Paul West, Mark’s older brother, said the foundation’s main mission was to ensure no child in Geelong missed out on playing football for financial reasons.
“As a family, we definitely believe it actually reflects what Mark was all about; he was about kids and having fun,” he said.
He said it would also mean