MAYOR’S mouse SECESSION PLAN

ASHER RENEWS CALL TO FREE BELLARINE

CITY of Greater Geelong’s mayor Stephanie Asher (right) has renewed her call for the Bellarine to secede from the municipality, in a move labelled “totally out of kilter” by one former premier.

Cr Asher, a Bellarine ward councillor, said the city was failing to properly service the Bellarine Peninsula using rates collected from residents.

Speaking on an online program, Cr Asher said her comments “won’t be welcomed … back at the office (City Hall)”.

THE City of Greater Geelong’s mayor has renewed her call for the Bellarine to secede from the municipality, in a move labelled “totally out of kilter” by one former premier.

Mayor Stephanie Asher, a Bellarine ward councillor, said the Bellarine Peninsula should “absolutely” tear itself away from the CoGG, claiming the city was failing to properly service the peninsula using rates collected from residents.

Cr Asher was speaking on online real estate program PROPped by the Bar when asked by host Gareth Kent, “Should the Bellarine secede from Geelong?”

Cr Asher replied, “Yeah I believe so, absolutely”.

She suggested Geelong’s large geographical size was resulting in the CoGG struggling to direct funding to provide all the services needed by the Bellarine.

“That won’t be a welcomed statement back at the office, but I’ve always said that,” Cr Asher laughed.

On Wednesday, Cr Asher further explained why the Bellarine should secede.

“At some stage in the nottoo-distant future, the growth in population will necessitate a rethink with our municipal boundary,” she said. “In my view, the natural breakaway is the Bellarine Peninsula, given its significant population and the geographic position — ie the fact it’s a peninsula, therefore a discrete land area.”

Asked if she would do anything to actively pursue the secession suggestion, she said she would “certainly take notice of a formal submission” from the community.

But Cr Asher, who regularly sits on the majority side of contested council votes, did not explain why she did not currently have the ability to ensure the Bellarine got its fair share, when asked.

CoGG chief executive Martin Cutter gave a short response to a series of questions regarding secession idea.

“This is not something I have considered,” he said. “The city works hard to deliver services and infrastructure equally across the whole municipality.”

Former premier Jeff Kennett, who oversaw the 1994 amalgamation of 210 municipalities into 78, including the Bellarine Peninsula in 1994, all but rubbished Cr Asher’s idea.

“To break (councils) up into smaller units is only going to substantially duplicate costs, which will have to be borne by the ratepayers — when I say duplicate costs, you’re going to have to put in administrations which are costly … so there is a huge additional cost to the ratepayers,” Mr Kennett said.

“Unless somebody can put up a very clear argument, based on costs and efficiencies that might be gained, rather than simply the emotion, then I think the call for such a separation is just that, emotional, and not driven by what I can only describe as efficient outcomes.”

While it is the first time Cr Asher has called for the secession of the Bellarine from Geelong while mayor of the city, it is not the first time she has publicly made the secession suggestion.

In September 2017 Cr Asher released a statement calling for “an ultimate secession from the City of Greater Geelong”.