Council plans for families
GEELONG council plans to spend $47.8 million in 2018-19 building new childcare centres, upgrading existing community centres, and constructing playgrounds.
The draft budget shows a major investment in the Armstrong Creek East Community Centre, with $8.08 million set aside for the project.
Other significant work includes building the Drysdale Child and Family Centre ($4 million); Armstrong Creek Town Centre ($3.07 million); Highton Children’s Centre ($2.5 million); $1.06 million for a future Fyansford community centre and a $1 million upgrade at Cloverdale Community Hub, Corio.
But long daycare fees at seven childcare centres across the region will rise by at least $33 a week, council’s draft budget shows.
Meanwhile, $300,000 will be used to upgrade the playground at Kingston Park, Ocean Grove and $551,450 will be put towards other playground upgrades.
Detailed designing of the Northern ARC Health and Wellbeing Hub in Norlane will begin next year, and plans and designs will be developed for a new community facility for northwest Corio.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said the investment would set the young up for success.
“Young families are set to enjoy the focus of our attention on community facilities needed by them,” Cr Harwood said.
The council will also put $2.7 million towards upgrading sporting facilities to better accommodate female sport. TEENAGE ballerina Trinity Johnson has danced her way into the hearts of residents at a Geelong aged care home.
The Sacred Heart College student has been visiting residents at Opal Aged Care, Highton, every Sunday for about five weeks after making connections with residents and staff as part of her compulsory community service unit at school.
The Expressions Ballet Academy student takes a number of hours out of her weekend to help staff run ac- tivities such as bingo, carpet bowls and chair tennis with the residents.
The teen made so many friendships at the facility she decided to stage an in-house concert for residents, many of whom are unable to get out anymore.
The youngster’s concept was embraced by the director of her Newtown-based ballet school who agreed to have 10 students join Trinity for an hour long show tomorrow.
The group will be dressed in tutus and tiaras as they perform their competition solos.