Lara, Victoria, Australia - News from 2008

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Secondary College's Oval Upgrade

State Member for Lara, John Eren MP, announced a $120,000 upgrade for the oval at Lara Secondary College. The upgrade will see turf replacement with a low maintenance, drought tolerant grass that is able to withstand more wear and tear. The facility will be used by Lara Secondary College and Lara Sporting Club's football and cricket teams. [ Geelong News, Wed 30 July 2008, p. 5 ]

State Member for Lara, John Eren MP, announced a $120,000 upgrade for the oval at Lara Secondary College. The upgrade will see turf replacement with a low maintenance, drought tolerant grass that is able to withstand more wear and tear. The facility will be used by Lara Secondary College and Lara Sporting Club's football and cricket teams. [ Geelong News, Wed 30 July 2008, p. 5 ]

Lara Train Station Upgrade Nears Completion

Works to improve facilities at the Lara train station are due for completion by the end of September 2008. The upgrade will include a kiosk to serve passengers of one of the top 10 busiest stations in the state. Works will also include new toilet facilities, waiting area, coach/train interchange, and structural, painting and landscaping improvements to the building. [ Geelong News, Wed 30 July 2008, p. 5 ]

$6.2m Plans for Lara Secondary College

The State Member for Lara, John Eren MP, has met with Lara Secondary College to review plans for the $6.2 million from the 2008/09 budget to complete the school. The planned improvements will see the school upgraded to accommodate the extra 350 student enrolments above the planned level of enrolments. [ Newsletter from John Eren MP, July 2008 ]

New Freight Terminal Planned for Lara

An intermodal freight terminal is planned for a 756 hectare site that stretches 4.4km along the Geelong-Melbourne railway line between Lara and Little River. The terminal would become a regional transport hub following a state government study recommendation. A private consortium has expressed interest in developing the terminal, however a number of planning matters must be addressed, including infrastructure, economic impact, traffic movement and access, and environmental protection. The proposed site has limited potential for residential development, being located under an Avalon Airport flight path. [ Geelong News, Wed 23 July 2008, p. 10 ]

Key Projects in 2008-2009 for the Windermere Ward of the City of Greater Geelong

Major projects in the 2008-2009 council budget include:

  • Elcho Park Golf Course/Barwon Prison recycled water pipeline
  • Lara Pool - stage 1 of adventure park redevelopment
  • Lara Bowling Club - synthetic green and clubhouse upgrade
  • Rennie Street Reserve - gazebo, tables and barbeque
  • Provision of interim library in Lara until permanent library is built

[ Geelong Advertiser, Sat 31 May 2008, p. 29 ]

Serendip Sanctuary Upgrades

Works in the first half of 2008 will upgrade and modify the elevated walk and trail network throughout the first loop walk and upgraded enclosures for a range of wetland bird species. Changes will result in an enhanced experience for open range viewing of Macropods (kangaroos and wallabies). [ Lara Happenings, Sat 2 Feb 2008 ]

Lara Heritage Festival Looming

The 2008 Lara Heritage Festival is less than a month away, scheduled for 10am Friday 14 March - 4pm Sunday 16 March 2007. This will be the 10th festival held since the committee was formed in the early 1980s. This year's festival will include sheaf tossing, ferret racing, dog demonstrations, a local talent show, grand parade at noon on Saturday, torchlight parade that evening, a fireworks display, food and wine fair, craft and produce stalls, community group displays, music and bands, photographic displays, vintage cars, vintage farm machinery, vintage military equipment, roving entertainers, chainsaw carving, short-film festival, and lots more. [ Geelong News, Wed 20 Feb 2008, p. N20]

Historic Bell Returned

The historic brass fire bell that was stolen from the monument at the six-ways intersection in early January has been found. The bell is over 77 years old and would required substantial cost to replace. The City of Greater Geelong will return the bell, welding it in place and erecting a fence around the monument to avoid future theft.[ Geelong News, Wed 20 Feb 2008, p. 1]

Walking Trail to Extend to Serendip Sanctuary

Lara's Hovells Creek Linear trail is already 30km long but will be extended to the entrance of Serendip Sanctuary. The extension project will cost around $60,000. The long term vision sees the path extending from Eastern Beach in Geelong to the You Yangs. The Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative gave heritage approval to the development after an archaeological investigation. [ Geelong News, Wed 13 Feb 2008, p. N7]

Update on Lara Town Centre Urban Design Framework

The Lara Chamber of Commerce reported that due to the complexity of the planned changes, the town centre redevelopment will take some time. Steps required include:

  • formal determination that the land involved is surplus to government requirements
  • formal removal of reservation (temporary) of land for recreational purposes
  • assessment as to whether native title has been extinguished - Indigenous land use agreements to follow in the event that native title remains
  • rezoning of land to commercial zone required prior to formalising the sale from the state
  • closure of discontinuance of roads which are impacted by the reconfiguration of the parkland
  • creation of new road reserves

Government entities are working toward the completion of the steps listed above. [ Lara Happenings, Sat 19 Jan 2008]