Lara, Victoria, Australia - News from 2007

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Further Lara Pool Upgrades Announced

[ Geelong News, Wed 7 Feb 2007, p. 21; Wed 2 May 2007, p. 20]

Trains Steam through Lara to Celebrate 150th Anniversary of Geelong Rail

Heritage steam trains puffed in and out of Lara again on Sunday 24 June to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Geelong/Melbourne railway. Lara, or Duck Ponds as our town was known then, became the important first stage of the railway on 1 November 1856. Operating twice daily, services transported freight, grain, bluestone and passengers.

The anniversary celebrations included a market in the train station carpark and an exhibition in the Lara Hotel bistro, organised through the Lara Heritage Festival Committee.

Vic 1000 Project Launched in Lara

The Lara Chamber of Commerce has launched the Vic 1000 Project in Lara, in which 20 local businesses will work together with Village Green to make their businesses "greener" and more environmentally friendly. The project involves also businesses in Colac, Torquay, Bannockburn, Portarlington and Geelong, and includes training sessions on energy minimisation, transport and chemicals, water and waste. The program also undertakes an audit of businesses looking at where improvements may be made.

New Station Construction of Lara Fire Brigade

The new station under construction in Mill Road, Lara, is on schedule for completion in June. The fully volunteer station is manned by 46 volunteer firefighters. The new facilities include 5 bays, offices, a large multipurpose room, turnout gear room, laundry and drying room, workshop, store rooms and a kitchen. The station has contributed a significant amount of its own funds to combine with CFA funding, allowing for an extra bay and improved training aids. [ Geelong News, Wed 7 Feb 2007, p. 21; Wed 2 May 2007, p. 20]

Airshow Campsite Success

The Lions Club of Lara successfully catered for over 900 campers at the only official campsite for the Australian International Airshow from March 16 - 26. The campsite was established on Lara Sporting Club's number two oval and hosted pilots, crew, volunteers and general aviation enthusiasts.[ Geelong News, Wed 4 April 2007, p. 22]

Clean Up Day 2007

Over 130 volunteers helped to cleanup Lara's parks and roadsides as part of Clean Up Australia Day on March 4, with numerous community groups involved including Lifeway Christian Church (formerly Lara Baptist Church), the Filipino Community Organisation of Lara, and 2nd Lara Scouts and Cubs.[ Geelong News, Wed 4 April 2007, p. 21]

Sports Facilities Upgrades

Lara Sporting Club's netball, football, baseball, cricket, soccer, athletics and basketball sections are set to benefit from over $1 million in upgrades to sports facilities over the next two years. This includes:

  • New netball and basketball courts to be constructed next to Lara Secondary College's hall, including overhead lights, a Rebound Ace surface and a shaded area, worth $160,000.
  • Installation of two 12,000 litre water tanks to water the baseball diamond, and a 40,000 litre tank to maintain the mail oval, totalling $30,000.
  • New football clubrooms with an undercover spectator area, costing $300,000.
  • A new running track, junior cricket and junior soccer facility built in conjunction with Lara Primary School, at $160,000.
  • The purchase of land next to the sporting area for new soccer pitches, costing $320,000.

[ Geelong News, Wed 4 April 2007, p. 21]

Lara Lion's Youth of the Year

Shireen Bhatt, a student from Geelong Grammar, was announced the winner of the Lions Club of Lara 2006-07 Youth of the Year award. Competing against five students nominated by their teachers in other local secondary schools, students presents a speech followed by answering impromptu questions. [ Geelong News, Wed 7 March 2007, p. 25]

Australian International Airshow

The Australian International Airshow will be held from Friday 16 March to Sunday 25 March 2007 is held at Avalon with static and flying displays by visiting military, commercial and private aircraft from all of Australia and around the world. The 2007 show will feature three US Air Force F-15C Eagles, two US Air Force FA-18 Super Hornets, Royal Australian Air Force F-111, FA-18 Hornets, BAE Hawks and the RAAF Roulettes, Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army helicopters, and historic aircraft from World War I and II.

The Lara Lions Club will host the Airshow's only official accommodation site, catering for up to 1000 people. Funds received from this event go to assist Lions project work within the local community. [ Geelong News, Wed 7 March 2007, p. 23]

Regional Community Award

Lara has won the award for Best Regional Community with a Population Over 5000, in the Regional Achievement and Community Awards. The award includes $2000 to spend on community projects. Congratulations to everybody in the community and especially those who worked hard to apply for this award. [ Geelong News, Wed 18 Oct 2006, p. 3]

14 October 2006

Update from the Local Windermere Ward Councillor, Tony Ansett

Opposing Residential Development Near Serendip Santuary

A local developer and some local land owners are seeking to overturn the Lara Structure Plan by rezoning land along Windermere/Caddys Road from rural/residential to residential zoning. This rezoning would permit developers to construct high density housing, however the Structure Plan reserves this area as part of a wildlife corridor, critical to preserve and protect Serendip Sanctuary and its surrounds. Development of this area may also impact stormwater drainage downstream through Hovells Creek and Limeburners Bay.

Tourism

Efforts continue to be made to promote the Lara area to tourists, with additional signage on the Princes Highway highlighting Serendip Sanctuary and the You Yangs.

Tree Replacement

Sugar gum trees on McClelland Avenue have become unstable and have started to fall over. After community consultation, these trees will be removed and replaced with alternative species.

Charity Donation Bins

The bins for the donation of used goods to charity organisations have been removed from rail land, after they were regularly used for the disposal of unwanted couches and beds, creating a public eyesore. The City of Greater Geelong are considering a new system to collect clothes, however donations may still be made locally through The Salvation Army shop and the Anglican shop.

Lara Structure Plan Update

The Lara Structure Plan was critical to stop the very fast growth that was taking place in the township of Lara, and will provide a structure and mechanism for the town to grow whilst addressing infrastructure development needs. The plan provides for a target population growth of 13,500 over 12 years. The new Great Lakes estate will take up to 10 years to complete.

Shopping Centre Development

By August 2007, the new shopping centre should be ready for tender, with $25,000 received from State Government to fast track the critical project.

Aldi Supermarket on Broderick Road

After the plans for an Aldi supermarket on the corner of Broderick Road and Princes Highway were rejected by an independant panel, the proposal has been backed by local council and the State Minister.

Swimming Pool Upgrade

Recent work on the Lara pool at a cost of $48,000 has included the removal of the step from the pool surround, new hand rails and a new ramp to permit wheelchair access.

Hovells Creek/Serendip Path

Progress has been made with the project; the path will go under the Hume Bridge and connect to Hoffman's Walk, then cross Hovells Creek and go all the way up to the Serendip Creek Reserve emerging on Windermere Road into Serendip Santuary and will exit the Santuary at the other end onto Flinders Avenue.

Heavy Traffice

Discussions are under way to put a 5 ton limit from Curletts Road to Walkers Road.

Road Improvements

The corner of Bates Road and Hicks Street will soon have a centre island constructed. Archimedes Avenue will be sealed on the Rennie Street end soon.

RSL

The RSL Gates will soon be landscaped and paged. The RSL Hall was recently painted.

Sporting Facilities

Construction will soon commence on the new netball courts, change rooms and grandstand at the Lara Sporting Club. The upgrade to the cricket practice area has been completed. Work will also commence on the new soccer ground, however water restrictions have prevented commencement.

Lara Lake Expansion

The ABI Group, the contractor for Stage 1 of the Geelong Ring Road, has offered to increase the size of the lake by approximately 1 acre. This fits the original plan for a more open expanse of water to better reflect the original lake.

Extracted from "Update from Your Local Windermere Ward Councillor - Tony Ansett", November 2006.

Limeburners Link Program Launched by Shell Australia and Greening Australia

A major new social investment initiative has been launched in the Geelong region. The initiative is a partnership between Shell Australia and Greening Australia, with the support of the City of Greather Geelong. The program is a three-year, $300,000 program that will focus on community training and engagement in environmental improvement at Limeburners Lagoon, north of Geelong. Limeburners Lagoon provides habitat for more than 40 of the State's endangered and threatened species. Volunteer activities planned for the project will involved hundreds of students from local high schools as well as community and Landcare groups, employees from Shell Geelong Refinery and the City of Greater Geelong. To volunteer for training days, call Danny Reddan at Greening Australia on (03) 9450 5309.

June 2006

New Public Toilet at Six Ways

A state of the art, self-cleaning toilet is being installed opposite the Six Ways shopping centre and carpark.

June 2006

Lions Club of Lara forms a Leos Section for Youth

The Lions Club of Lara have recently formed a Leos club with students from Lara Secondary College, aiming to raise funds and promote community involvement.

June 2006

Over-sized Trucks in Lara

The Township of Lara Care Group have raised concern over the number of over-sized trucks travelling in many directions through Lara. This is causing damage to roundabouts and nature strips, whilst also potentially putting residents at risk. VicRoads, and local and state governments are being lobbied in relation to this issue.

June 2006

Pool Upgrade

A $40,000 upgrade to the Lara Pool complex is underway, including new paving, improved disabled access and removal of the lip around the edge of the pool. [ Geelong News, Wed 4 Oct 2006, pp. 19 ]

19 September 2006